That's What is one of the more idiosyncratic releases by solo steel-string guitar artist Leo Kottke. It is distinctive in its jazzy nature and "talking" songs ("Buzzby" and "Husbandry"). It reached #24 on Billboard's Top New Age Albums charts, Kottke's highest charting position on Billboard.
The song "Little Snoozer" is played on a Charvel demo model of a Danelectro 6-string bass guitar tuned one octave lower than a standard 6-string guitar.
Kottke has re-recorded at least two more versions of "Jesus Maria".
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
The Allmusic of the album stated "Leo Kottke has always been a highly idiosyncratic guitar player whose music is infused with his wry sense of humor. That's What is no exception, with Kottke's guitar work drawing from jazzy, blues and folk sources... Tying it all together is Kottke's fine guitar playing, as nimble and as quirky as ever."[1]
Track listing
All songs by Leo Kottke except as noted.
- "Little Snoozer" – 3:53
- "Buzzby" – 3:57
- "What the Arm Said" – 2:54
- "Creature Feature" – 4:14
- "Oddball" – 2:51
- "Czech Bounce" – 3:38
- "Mid-Air" (Willard O. Peterson) – 3:23
- "The Great One" – 3:22
- "Husbandry" – 4:52
- "Jesus Maria" (Carla Bley) – 4:30
Personnel
- Leo Kottke - guitar
- Billy Peterson - string bass, 5-string electric bass, drums, piano, synth, Farfisa Professional
- Bruce Paulson - tenor & bass trombones
- Gordy Knudtson - percussion
Production notes
- Produced by Willard O. Peterson & Leo Kottke
- Engineered by Paul Martinson
- Assistant engineers: Scott Bartel & Sam Hudson
- Mastered by Doug Sax
- Arrangements by Willard O. Peterson except guitar on "Jesus Maria" arranged by Tim Sparks
References
- ^ a b "That's What > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 28, 2011.