A Shout Toward Noon is Kottke's first recording on the Private Music label after a three-year sabbatical, largely due to a difficult tendinitis injury in his hand.

Due to the injury, Kottke left the thumb and finger picks that helped define his early style behind, and came back with a new sound.

"[1] Prior to this release, Kottke composed and recorded the soundtrack for the 1985 Tri-Star Pictures film Little Treasure.

Writing for Allmusic, music critic Richard Foss wrote of the album "Though the opening cuts are typical Leo Kottke instrumentals — bouncy guitar pieces with nods to jazz, folk, and blues — A Shout Toward Noon is dominated by more moody, somber tunes...

A Shout Toward Noon is in fact one of Kottke's most intriguing albums, one which amply rewards repeated listening.