I worked a block away from the Methadone Clinic that Lenny was getting help at. He came to the diner, would sit in the back and I often paid for his egg salad and coffee. I did not know who he was till I saw an album with his photo in 1975. I knew him before 1975 when he had long hair.
There are a number of songs from "Standard Brands", an album with Lenny Breau and Chet Atkins, on UA-cam. Some very beautiful guitar music by two masters of the instrument.
Great video, Mark! I saw Lenny live playing solo back in the '70s in a small club. I sat just feet away and was spellbound. I was only 16 years old at the time, and I never knew a guitar player could be that amazing. But as far as I'm concerned, the best Lenny introductory album is "The Hallmark Sessions". This was recorded in Toronto in the early '60s, when Lenny was only about 20 years old. It's a 2 CD set and after it was recorded, was never released until years after he died. It's absolutely phenomenal that a 20-year old young man could play with such extraordinary technique and talent. This recording has everything from country to jazz standards to Lenny's fantastic flamenco/Brazilian/classical variations. No other guitarist that I know of, has ever recorded such a sophisticated album like this at such a young age.
"That's all" est tellement bon ! Impossible de se lasser de ce morceau. Aussi son "Indian reflections for Ravi" est un sacré voyage. La biographie écrite par Ron Forbes-Roberts intitulée "One Long tune" est géniale pour creuser un peu plus la magie de Lenny ! Je ne laisse pas beaucoup de commentaires en général donc j'en profite aussi pour remercier Marc de partager sa passion, ses connaissances et son travail !
Really like this video about Lenny and the kind things you say. I truly feel you were kind and had a gracious outlook and on Lenny. He was ahead of his time and that is the genius of Lenny. I feel it was not drugs that held him back or childhood trauma or his eclectic manner and love for guitar and the piano. Lenny was one of a kind! And there are other Lenny's out there in the world and we dont always get to know or learn about the other genius's in the world. Lenny's connection with country music and Nashville and Chet Atkins really liking his Father and Mother I feel was a great entree for Lenny to get associated and get some exposure. In some ways when looking deep at it all Lenny was just starting before he died; the genius he was and imagine what he would be doing today and the exposure he would have gained in the world of guitar music. He died young when you think if he had a lived to 85 or so!! Nice kind video and polite!!
You're very welcome Stuart! There's so many great records to check out, you're in a for a treat. Some of my favourites are The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau or Cabin Fever :) All the best, Marc
Gather up all the Lenny recordings you can. You won't think or play the same way after you begin to learn his style. The CBC recordings feature some fine playing in deed (even with the bad fidelity). If your interested in seeing/hearing my journey along the Lenny Breau path then you can check out my you tube channel and look for these videos: The Christmas Song, Cannonball Stomp, All My Tomorrows. Unfortunately my videos are in the infancy stage of Lenny's style and I have not focused on showcasing a video yet showing Lenny's harmonics application of playing but just his chord/melody self comping approach (with no overdubs).
What are your thoughts on spending time practicing vs. spending time making music? It seems like so many muscicans spend way to little time making music, but maybe there's not so many musicians who want to sustain themselves as an artist?
Hmm... Good question. In my "teaching life" (that is, when I'm an instructor), I always recommend people set aside a fixed amount of time to run through a "practice regimen", then spend the rest of the time for really playing, noodling, etc. The proportions will always vary, but the key is to do it often!
Lenny was a servant to the music just like the man in the black suite in the orchestra playing the virtuoso violin. I really dont feel lenny's personal life needs to be mentioned... it is all about the music. In other words " Not all trees grow with the same exposure to the suns light but all the trees do their best to find a way and survive and grow"
I worked a block away from the Methadone Clinic that Lenny was getting help at. He came to the diner, would sit in the back and I often paid for his egg salad and coffee. I did not know who he was till I saw an album with his photo in 1975. I knew him before 1975 when he had long hair.
Thank you for sharing, that's a great story!
There are a number of songs from "Standard Brands", an album with Lenny Breau and Chet Atkins, on UA-cam. Some very beautiful guitar music by two masters of the instrument.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Great video, Mark! I saw Lenny live playing solo back in the '70s in a small club. I sat just feet away and was spellbound. I was only 16 years old at the time, and I never knew a guitar player could be that amazing. But as far as I'm concerned, the best Lenny introductory album is "The Hallmark Sessions". This was recorded in Toronto in the early '60s, when Lenny was only about 20 years old. It's a 2 CD set and after it was recorded, was never released until years after he died. It's absolutely phenomenal that a 20-year old young man could play with such extraordinary technique and talent. This recording has everything from country to jazz standards to Lenny's fantastic flamenco/Brazilian/classical variations. No other guitarist that I know of, has ever recorded such a sophisticated album like this at such a young age.
Love that record, Joe! There is so much energy and brilliance on that album... and I really like hearing Lenny on an archtop.
-Marc
"That's all" est tellement bon ! Impossible de se lasser de ce morceau. Aussi son "Indian reflections for Ravi" est un sacré voyage.
La biographie écrite par Ron Forbes-Roberts intitulée "One Long tune" est géniale pour creuser un peu plus la magie de Lenny !
Je ne laisse pas beaucoup de commentaires en général donc j'en profite aussi pour remercier Marc de partager sa passion, ses connaissances et son travail !
Five O'clock Bells was the first song i heard from Lenny. He is my favorite guitarist to this day!
Thanks for the comment! Glad you like it!
Really like this video about Lenny and the kind things you say. I truly feel you were kind and had a gracious outlook and on Lenny. He was ahead of his time and that is the genius of Lenny. I feel it was not drugs that held him back or childhood trauma or his eclectic manner and love for guitar and the piano. Lenny was one of a kind! And there are other Lenny's out there in the world and we dont always get to know or learn about the other genius's in the world. Lenny's connection with country music and Nashville and Chet Atkins really liking his Father and Mother I feel was a great entree for Lenny to get associated and get some exposure. In some ways when looking deep at it all Lenny was just starting before he died; the genius he was and imagine what he would be doing today and the exposure he would have gained in the world of guitar music. He died young when you think if he had a lived to 85 or so!! Nice kind video and polite!!
Well said. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Marc for this, I can't say that other than the name I had no idea of Lenny Breau I will now correct that and listen to what I can. Thanks
You're very welcome Stuart! There's so many great records to check out, you're in a for a treat. Some of my favourites are The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau or Cabin Fever :)
All the best,
Marc
Thank you ...a wonderful intro to Lenny...love your enthusiasm !
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Excellent video, thank you!
Thanks for your *great* feedback! Glad you like the stuff.
tube search :
"Lenny Breau & The Bob McMullin Quartet - "A Touch Of Jazz" - 1965".... listen to "Georgia on my Mind" and "Sans Souci"
Thanks for sharing :)
Erudite! thankU!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your excellent insight and knowledge.
My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in as always! Keeping it straightforward is what we do best here!
Gather up all the Lenny recordings you can. You won't think or play the same way after you begin to learn his style. The CBC recordings feature some fine playing in deed (even with the bad fidelity). If your interested in seeing/hearing my journey along the Lenny Breau path then you can check out my you tube channel and look for these videos: The Christmas Song, Cannonball Stomp, All My Tomorrows. Unfortunately my videos are in the infancy stage of Lenny's style and I have not focused on showcasing a video yet showing Lenny's harmonics application of playing but just his chord/melody self comping approach (with no overdubs).
I reallly loved your video on Lenny, so insiteful
Thank you so much! :)
Very nice set of thoughts.
Great to hear! Thanks. Glad you like it.
When you begin to teach Jazz, the most dangerous thing is you begin to teach style!
Bill Evans
Well said! :-)
Thank’s Mark, very interesting video
My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in as always!
That was excellent! Made me laugh too.
What are your thoughts on spending time practicing vs. spending time making music? It seems like so many muscicans spend way to little time making music, but maybe there's not so many musicians who want to sustain themselves as an artist?
Hmm... Good question. In my "teaching life" (that is, when I'm an instructor), I always recommend people set aside a fixed amount of time to run through a "practice regimen", then spend the rest of the time for really playing, noodling, etc. The proportions will always vary, but the key is to do it often!
Lenny was a servant to the music just like the man in the black suite in the orchestra playing the virtuoso violin. I really dont feel lenny's personal life needs to be mentioned... it is all about the music. In other words " Not all trees grow with the same exposure to the suns light but all the trees do their best to find a way and survive and grow"
Truly!
dont forget ike everley another fingerpicking forefather tho
One heck of a technique he had!
Thanks for posting Lenny Breau - sometimes his playing just simply TICKLES . . .
thanks for the comment!
Thought he was the GOAT, then Tory Slusher came along.
No lessons here. Just a lot of talking.
You are stupid!
Smiling about country?
Bye