“Morning Is the Long Way Home”

The printed music for “Morning Is the Long Way Home” is sold as an individual transcription. “Morning Is the Long Way Home” is an epochal composition which demonstrates an almost orchestral style of writing for the guitar.

As of this date, Leo Kottke has only recorded “Morning Is the Long Way Home” once. It first appeared on Leo Kottke/Ice Water (Capitol ST-11262) in 1974 as a vocal with an extended instrumental break. (This recording is now available as BGO CD146 and on One Way Records.) Then, in 1976, after editing out the sections which included the vocal, it was released as an instrumental on Leo Kottke 1971-1976/”Did You Hear Me?” (Capitol ST-11576). This same edited version was later included in the compilation recording The Best of Leo Kottke(1987, Capitol CDP 7 46486 2). In these recorded versions of “Morning Is the Long Way Home” Leo is playing a 12-string guitar tuned C2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 (which is analogous to D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4).

In live performances now he generally uses a 12-string guitar (a Taylor LKSM12, the Leo Kottke signature model) tuned B1 F#2 B2 E3 G#3 C#4 (also analogous to D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4). This transcription is based on Leo’s current performance practice.