“Driver”

The printed music for “Driver” is sold as an individual transcription. “Driver” is an evocative composition-a recitation with guitar accompaniment. Both the harmonic movement of the accompaniment and the deeply empathetic musical setting of the lyric are reminiscent of Franz Schubert.

According to Leo, “I was driving out of Texas into New Mexico on some side road. I’d been on Interstate 10 and I just started writing the thing on my knee while I was driving. I stopped after the first couple verses because I thought it was going to be just another refugee song-and there are plenty of them. But it was kind of insistent. So I kept it up and it took that left turn at the end-the even poorer son of a bitch is driving the truck! His only understanding, his only sympathy, if that kind of thing exists, will come from these victims. I really like that way it marries the perpetrator and the victim.” You will find this piece on Leo Kottke/Great Big Boy (Private Music 01005-82087-2). While there were some overdubs on the recording, this transcription represents the way Leo would perform “Driver” in concert.