Since the release of his brilliant Takoma album. Leo Kottke has gone through a few changes: become a father (good for the ego), had his guitars stolen (not too good for the ego), and signed with a major record company (possibly good for the ego, depending upon your point of view). Now with the release of Mudlark the listener is treated to the recorded debut of Kottke's lyrics and his infamous geese farts.

Actually, my impression of what geese farts sound like is more of the Robert Plant mode: shrill and undisciplined. Kottke's voice is more like moose farts: full in the lower register and a little strained in the upper. In any case, his voice is in no way a handicap with its easy-going manner perfectly fitting to the songs he does such as "Lullaby," a lament to the demise of a Lady Margaret, and "Standing in My Shoes," a policy statement to his ex-lover.

Kottke has no delusions of being a songwriter-poet expressing the thoughts and feelings of the Consciousness III generation. His lyrics deal with love, good and bad, funny and sad. A rather refreshing quality.

Needless to say, his instrumentals are in a class by themselves. What can be said except that he is a master of the guitar whether it is flat-picking, finger-picking, or bottlenecking. It was also a good idea to add drums, bass, and occasionally piano to some of the tracks. Never obtrusive, they accentuate the inherent rhythm of the music. "Machine No 2" ("Vaseline Machine Gun" on the Takoma album) is given new interpretation and "Eight Miles High" is given new life with one of Kottke's best solos.

My only complaint is the addition of Kim Fowley's voice (here are your geese farts) on "Monkey Lust," but at least it is largely indistinguishable beneath the sparks flying from Kottke's fingers. Lord knows why it was decided to put Fowley on the album, unless it was willed by the moguls upstairs.

Recently, a friend of mine whose taste in music leaned toward Herb Alpert and Mantovani happened to be in my apartment while the Takoma album was playing. It must have had a remarkable effect on him for since then he has bought the Takoma album, grown a beard, and is listening to the Stones, Rod Stewart, and J. Geils. Can you imagine what would have happened if Kottke had played at Tricia's wedding? A Presidential commission must be appointed immediately to fully study the sociopolitical impact of Kottke's music. Get Mudlark before it is banned for being subversive. (RS 89)

CARL BRAUER