TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : Excellent Good Fair Poor : COMPACT DISCS

“A Shout Toward Noon.” Leo Kottke. Private Music. DDD. This is the first time this guitarist has delved into the digital domain and it’s an exquisite marriage of technique and technology. A master of 6-, 10- and 12-string folk guitars, Kottke has returned to the all-instrumental format of his earliest albums and except for occasional, restrained touches of cello and synthesizer, it’s a one-man show. If it’s true that by now, Kottke can turn out these lovely melodies and frequently astonishing technical workouts in his sleep, he nevertheless dreams some of the most compelling tunes imaginable. The CD also offers one more song than the LP and cassette versions. Sound: excellent. 1/2