“June Bug”

The printed music for “June Bug” is sold as an individual transcription. Leo Kottke wrote “June Bug” in 1970. It was the third piece that he had written for slide guitar. In it you can see some of the special characteristics of Leo’s system of right-hand fingering: his preference for the use of p, i and m over an over-intellectualized approach. Like Chopin a century ago, he cares more for the sound a technique produces than for its sophistication. And in this composition you can also see a compositional device which he has used in such other pieces as “Mona Ray,” “Ojo” and “Bean Time”: the meter shifts, but the integrity of the beat is so powerful that the listener only senses the shift as added excitement. Typical of his early writing, this composition has starch in it.

Leo Kottke recorded “June Bug” twice. In 1971 he recorded it with bass and drum accompaniment on Mudlark . This was later emixed and reissued on the recording Leo Kottke 1971-1976/”Did You Hear Me?” . And in 1973 “June Bug” was released as a solo on the live recording, My Feet Are Smiling . This was later reissued on Leo Kottke – The Best . This transcription is very similar to both of these recordings, but it has certain revisions and clarifications which bring it in line with Leo’s current performance practices and best thoughts.