What a treat. Thx for sharing this documentary. I can’t believe it’s more than 45 years since I first heard about Lenny Breau from a Canadian guy. Time flies. His life was too short. He left a lot of fine recordings that are such a joy to hear. Timeless, beautiful style and impeccable technique.
Lenny Breau could harmonize a melody like no one else. His harmonics were also the best. A brilliant player. When Chet Atkins respects you as a guitar player, you are indeed at the top of the guitar world.
I was lucky enough to see Lenny play in Toronto one night. There might have been 20 people in the club. None of us could believe what we were hearing. I had seen Andre Segovia in the same year and I still have a tough time picking who was better. It's so sad that Lenny left this world way too soon. He had few equals.
As a guitarist, for several decades, I learned not to try to choose a best guitarist across the board. One must recognize each in their respective category, gender and style. For instance, my favorite classical guitarist is John Williams, my favorite jazz guitarist is Jim Hall, in flamenco the late Paco de Lucia and so on. Each in their own respective category. I like and enjoy listening to the late Lenny Breau, as well, but I find myself wondering at times where the melody is. It is too abstract for me. Not Lenny's fault, but my own limitations.
Tommy Emmanuel said that was Chet Atkins' observation. He would ask Lenny to please just play the melody for a little bit before voyaging off into his land of improvisational imagination. Just to allow/make it easier for others to follow along.
Lenny Breau was just mentioned by Andy Summer’s in an interview with Rick Beato - naturally, I had to find more info on the guy that helped shape Andy’s playing
I had the privilege of meeting Lenny in the early 70's - he offered me advice on a guitar I bought - a true guitar legend - I heard him play several times
A few minutes into the documentary, you can already sense how gentle and sensitive Lenny and Chet were, no wonder they got along so well! I also appreciate the humility.
No one has replaced him... his depth, his musicality, his intention in musical direction unparalleled. The American and Canadian music industry could do a better job of keeping his music and story alive... tragic and yet his music journey was so profound,
Lenny was the most gifted fingerstyle guitarist that ever lived! I've been playing and listening to a lot of great and much more well known guitarists for over 50 years. I've never heard or studied a player that had the versatility and overall talent this guy did. Furthermore, his tone, pitch is near perfect and he plays with such soul and passion! I can see were Chet was so impressed with him and Che was one of the greatest guitarists and music producers of all time. Thanks for sharing
Lenny Breau was just next level. His influences included country, classical, flamenco, jazz, rock and he mastered all of them. As he said he transcended the instrument.
It’s interesting how he considered himself a country musician, but he could play any style with ease. A master by age 26-incredible. (Check out his playing with jazz guitar virtuoso, Tal Farlow, whom he admired greatly.)
Lenny was awesome. But good instruction by Chet. You have to state the time and melody first to anchor the listener and thereafter you can jazz it up with derivations so long as you circle back around to it now and then. Lenny did that so well. Brought the listener along for a ride starting from the familiar and off to the fantastic.
a genius on the guitar, his playing so intricate he had a couple 7 string guitars custom made to play what was considered "impossible" on the guitar. no one made such a thing, to get the right pitch on the high a, he used the right gauge fishing line.
FIRST TIME I HEARD LENNY I KNEW WHAT HIP WAS .BUT NOW I LOVE HIM AS A BROTHER WHO I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE OR SAID ONE THING TO LET HIM KNOW A LITTLE MODERATION WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM A LONG WAY.YEAH I GOT HIGH AND UNDERSTOOD HIM BUT THE MYSTERY OF HIS DEMISE WILL HAUNT ME AND OTHERS FOREVER.
I am a player, I began in 1971 and I had not heard of this man, it is amazing how the best players go unnoticed unless the commercial machine accepts them, the world has never been a fair place!
Randy Bachman (of the Guess Who) has always championed Lenny Breau and done as much as he could to support Lenny's legacy for the benefit of the man's family. They knew each other well in Winnipeg and Randy has always expressed how indebted he is to Lenny for aiding his musical development. I think Lenny made a huge creative impact on many guitarists , on many musicians.
Great music, of course. Let me throw in a comment about jazz clubs and women. The clip at 3:10 catches Lenny playing’s being adored by an elegant brunette. She turns her head to dig something exceptional. It’s a gear camera shot, getting in Lenny in full flight and a mesmerized beautiful face. A bit earlier, there’s a shot of 3 women at a table, two smoking elegantly (yes, cigarettes are lethal) . All 3 concentrating on the music. What a enchanting mix- compelling music and attractive women
@@SHAWVEE I did some research and it’s unlikely. Anyways, I don’t think he knows the forms / toques, just some techniques like rasgueado and picado so Breau would have a tough time hanging with a legit flamenco guitarist.
Lenny knew Flamenco forms inside and out. That's been verified by many flamenco guitarists. He rarely stayed within the forms because he was essentially an improviser but there are examples of him playing a Soleas and ( I believe) a Taranta.
@@thelennybreauarchives5675 well that only solidifies how brilliant he was, doesn’t it? That said, if you could point me to any videos (or audio) of him playing a Soleares or of him playing with another flamenco player that would be cool
I first heard of him today in Andy Summers' interview on Rick Beato. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-V67Fq47U4ng.html&ab_channel=RickBeato Andy told of taking a lesson from Lenny when travelling thru Nashville (expensive- $45!) and then they became friends!
Lenny came to town to play at the local club where I a hanger out. I met Lenny and he agreed to give me a lesson and he invited me to meet him at his motelthe next morning I arrived and he invited me in. I had brought my D18, which was tuned to open G. Lenny took the guitar out and started playing Black Mountain Rag! Unbelievable beautiful After Lenny said he had an appointment and couldn't give me a lesson. So we exchange our goodbyes! The world's greatest guitarist! You name it, Lenny can play it; Jazz, Country, Blues, Classical, Flamingo!
Lenny Beau should be anointing CGP rather than Chet Atkins. Lenny was miles and miles beyond Chet's abilities as a guitarist. Lenny and I enjoy one thing in common.. we both own an early 60s Ramirez Flamenco 1A F Ramirez guitar likely made by Contreras. Friction pegs and all, 650 scale, pre ridiculous cedar tops and catalyzed finishes. There is no one like Lenny Breau
at this time , eric clapton was GOD lol ! but eric never listen to lenny ahahah ! better not ! ok eric wrote some songs but on the guitar it was a real player and a kid facin ! eric had a great look its a big difference ! he thougt that music was fashion ! later he had a beard like god !!! ah yes ! too funny !
