I was a waitress in the 70s, and Lenny would come in for egg salad sand and coffee, which I used to buy for him. I actually did not know what he did during those days, but for the clinic near by the restaurant. He was always polite. I feel blessed now that I know.
2023, just watched Andy Summers being interviewed by Rick Beato. Andy told a story of having a lesson off Lenny Breau, said Lenny was the greatest guitarist who ever lived, honestly never heard of him but i found this and wow, never seen a guitarist so fluid over a neck and with either hand. Most people press too hard on the strings but he has a deftness of touch that I've never seen, glides over the neck like a dancer. Wonderful.
I had the pleasure of playing bass for Lenny on many gigs in Nashville in maybe 79- early 80’s. The first time I heard him was the opening fast bebop tune that we started with. My jaw dropped as he effortlessly flew around on the neck. He could play so many styles with great sensitivity. Never be another like him.
@0lmtheslime0 - It's three years later but I'm giving it a shot. I searched for Travis, Serenade and flamenco style guitar picking. I got nowhere with Serenade style picking; a little help please. TY.
It saddens me that this GREAT GUITARIST ( HERE REMINDS ME OF JOHN FAHEY) IS UNKNOWN BECAUSE HE WAS CANADIAN, LABELLED "JAZZ" therefore elitist - he never gets airplay even on Canada's seminal jazz station, Jazz91fm Toronto- my late father used to see him play in a bar in Winnipeg, Manitoba, very shy and VERY TALENTED WITH A UNIQUE STYLE- I was amazed to find a channel showing 8 albums- I think I might have a tape, maybe an L.P.- I recently inherited my father's jazz collection- I hope I find some BREAU GOLD. My father led me to believe Lenny died of a heroin overdose in the 1970's- out to lunch- my father was an alcoholic so natch he met Lenny in a bar and Lenny seemed shy, well my father esp when drunk, was "chatty" and "outgoing" the opposite to his sober self- of course! Alcohol and drugs, yeah what can I say? I'm in rehab- dealing with my father's alcoholism and my mom's drug abuse, ( can't smell pills and they "seem" easier to control, right and you lose weight- in the beginning- so IF YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT A GREAT AND LARGELY, FORGOTTEN GUITARIST, PLEASE FILL ME IN- I am going to check Amazon and Discogs for any affordable Breau...I think he was one of those unique, extremely talented artists one needs to see, Live and IN Concert....Namaste from A Nightowl at Tom Waits' Broken-Hearts Diner, Cold Coffee, Hot Jukebox...
In a Lenny Breau documentary, Chet Atkins wept at his senseless loss. He considered him good enough to play anything he heard in his head. He wept over Lenny’s problems. Most touching, he was being interviewed by Lenny’s daughter and didn’t realize it in advance.
@@Nic1963D Why? Wider neck. Less sustain. Higher action. Difficulty amplifying. Please post link to video of you playing a classical guitar in a solo jazz (with genuine) improvisation. Not a jazzy arrangement written for classical players. I’m always happy to learn from other musicians.
@@jazzman1954 You are so right. It's so hard to get a consistent tone out of that thing. Hybrids like Godin Encore Nylon are a bit easier to play, but still hard enough to want to scream.
I saw Lenny Breau in the late 1970's in a coffee house in Nashville. I had never seen that level of artistry in any musician and I still haven't. He blew me away and everyone else in that intimate room.
I was fortunate enough to get to know Lenny. I use to go over to his house. Talk music, and just relax. He was always so kind, and such a gentle soul. The world lost a true master, and a incredible man! RIP, Lenny!
Randy Bachman has been singing his praises for years and credits his influence all the time. This is a wonderful clip. “Looking Out for Number One” comes to mind.
So grateful to have seen 5 great guitarists in my lifetime … Jimi Hendrix (1) with his Are You Experienced Band, Eric Clapton (1 x with the Cream), Kelly Joe Phelps (3x), Bruce Cockburn (4 times) but most of all Lenny Breau (once at a coffee house in the late 60’s and a few years before he died circa 1980 … mesmerizing … Lenny doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
Lenny was a genius. period. He influenced so many guitarists that became more famous than he ever got ... he was vastly under rated and misunderstood during his life. RIP Lenny
Tommy Emmanuel mentioned him at a concert - said Chet Atkins had said - 'want to meet the best giutarist in the world? He's upstairs - was Lenny Breau - incredible (I'm from Australia so hadn't heard of Lenny before - in this song can see where the technique Tommy uses in Somewhere Over the Rainbow came from - what a talent - sad we didn't have him longer!
Hi I am a FAN- A DEVOTEE OF TWO "LENNY'S " BREAU AND COHEN, LEONARD- another Canadian who didn't like being called, "Lenny" I've read! and I trust you know of since you know of a vastly, underrated and under-played! Even on a seminal jazz station from Toronto! My father met Lenny Breau a few times in a bar in Winnipeg, Manitoba- I just now found out, Lenny lived until 1984! He was a heroin addict, correct? With a sad, suspicious end- my father drank for many years, bless A.A. for getting clean, never "nice" still, a violent, nasty, abusive piece of work, that's one reason I sit here sucking on Suboxone, my circadian cycle ass over tea kettle- is that the expression- nonsensical to me but then I am not well, brain fog like you wouldn't believe and NO I DON'T TOTALLY BLAME MY PARENTS- that's a cop out as we old hippies used to say BUT I ALSO AM A DEVOTEE OF DR. GABOR MATE- so nuff said on "childhood trauma/abuse" At least my old man gave me my first book of poetry, Dylan Thomas and a LOVE OF MUSIC- I thought Harry Belafonte was an uncle! And I am a W.A.S.P. - well, not really and as for racism- skin colour- my stupid girl friends tried to outdo each other every summer, get as dark as teakwood- so "p" on racism! My father for some reason told a Lenny anecdotal sort of yarn, indicating a murder? suicide? accidental O.D. in the 1970's - I was heavy into rock and folk and in university in 1984, the year Lenny died according to another channel- I'd REALLY appreciate an email about him- if you know, could you write me- I find it SO sad, he remains so unknown, the opposite of Chet Atkins, John Fahey- I don't keep up with the music magazines so I have no idea of Who's Who in Guitar nowadays- obviously it isn't Leonard Cohen! Maybe Lenny Breau is teaching Leonard Cohen how to "pick" and Leonard is giving pointers on the Art of Seducing Women...! Namaste
Lenny was simply the most gifted fingerstyle guitarist that ever lived. His versatility and virtuosity is simply mind boggling! I've seen live some of the greatest guitarists ever: Atkins, Emmanuel, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Carlos Montoya, Elliot Fisk, Douglas Niedt, Earl Klugh, John Knowles, etc. and no one I've ever heard can do so many things at such a high level that Lenny did. Lastly, his phrasing and warm tone is out of this world as well. I knew a few people who knew him as well and everyone mentioned what a humble and sweet guy he was. RIP LB.Thanks so much for sharing.
A master, nobody like him.I remember seeing lenny play with his father he must have been all of 14years old playing chet atkins style as good as chet! Over the years our paths crossed many times. Once in a lifetime a talent as great as lenny comes along. It was a privilege to have known him.
Lenny was an absolute technical master but also had so much feeling in his playing - the ultimate dreams and visions of an artist - a being who can truly communicate!
Saw him once downstairs Cinecity in Toronto at 3am .I was immediately hooked. If I remember correctly he started the show with Yankee doodle dixie. Had never heard anyone play 2 distinct melodies at one time .Fan forever as Chet once said one of Canada's best kept secret's .
Lenny breau kicked ass on guitar...he was the master of harmonics and the smooth reality style of blues jazz country etc.no one ever compared to him and to this day...never will
Lenny is my favorite. This performance could have been a one take if in the studio. In a sense it was. Absolutely no mistakes. Even sound no missed notes. Everything picked evenly.
First heard Lenny Breau playing MERCY, MERCY, MERCY through a cheap stereo looking out at the rain battering the Oxford Observatory 30 years ago. Like staring into another world. Your dad was an amazing musician.
I never had the opportunity to play with Lenny, but I did get to talk to him for about 2 hours one night. He was a wonderful person to talk to and be with. He was playing at a hole in the wall bar down the street from the Exit Inn in Nashville. Prior to his $5 door charge show, I saw McLaughlin, de Lucia and De Meola for a $15 door charge. Those were amazing times.
The incredible thing about Lenny and Chet is how they learned from each other and always gave the other more credit than they gave themselves. The level of respect and love was immense. And the fact is they did make each other better.
Been listening to Bill Evans, Gaye Delorme, Miles Davis, etc. tonight for an hour or two, and here I sit. Lenny. For my heart and soul, he is something that fills it all.
I'm not able to find anything about any "living room sessions." I dont believe that Evans and Breau ever played together? Could you elaborate or provide a link to more info?
Austin French it’s the living room tapes with Brad Terry, another iconic Maine Jazz musician on clarinet. Lenny plays at least one Bill Evans tune, Emily, one of my favorites. .
I used to listen to Gaye DeLorme playing in my cousin's kitchen in Edmonton. He was due to play my favourite Club in Calgary when he passed unexpectedly. Sadly he was known to many as the author of The Rodeo Song, when he had so many beautiful releases like the Blue Wave sessions.
Listen to the Claw. He was a Winnipeg guy. Bachman learned from him. Had a buddy in Grade 8 who took lessons from him. We were all learning 3 chord songs while he was playing stuff from a different universe. Breau wasn't just amazing. He was inspirational.
Discovered this guy about 7 years ago from a documentary with Chet Atkins in it. Been a fan every since. Every time I think I've discovered a best, someone comes out of the blue I've never heard before. Lenny is one of those out of the blue guys.
Danny Gatton - a man who among the great guitarists, is considered _the_ great guitarist (Steve Vai for example said Gatton "comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived.") and who other top guitarists nicknamed "The Humbler," said of Lenny Breau; "The biggest 'Humbler' for me, of all time, would be Lenny Breau. He was the best I have ever seen." I don't know if you were previously aware of Gatton but if not, take my word for it - that's some high praise right there. Having now myself discovered Lenny Breau, I'm inclined to agree with the late, great Mr. Gatton. Breau is an absolutely resplendent guitarist.
I was a regular to see and hear Lenny and his trio in Toronto in the early 70's at places like Meat and Potatoes, Georges, around U of T, etc. Yes, a master.
Lenny Breau was a master at harmonizing a melody. Here he plays a very simple (musically) song, and takes it to another planet altogether. It's hard to imagine where those ideas even came from. He was brilliant!
first time seeing this one, lenny was amazing, his extensive repertoire and improvisational skills are unmatched, he's beautifully integrated classical, jazz, and pop in this short performance.
All of the techniques that seem everyday these days, such as the fretted harmonics, where a core bag of techniques that Lenny introduced to the world so long ago.
God I miss him and at this point I could only imagine the music he and I could play together today and yesterday and tomorrow every time I hear him play it just takes me back to a time in our lives where music was the only thing that made sense or where words fail music speaks thank you Lenny and all that you gave me
I came to his music relatively late in my life (after he had passed). There are so many monsters on the instrument, but he undoubtedly be on anyone's list of great guitarists.
Thanks for posting this. As a guitar player I can appreciate the talent of this man. So sad he passed away at such a young age. Lenny was in a class by himself.
You can really see the Chet Atkins/Merle Travis influence on this one…just add flamenco & singular, jazz virtuosity. He used to live in Edmonton when I was a kid. 🇨🇦
love the flamenco guitar...the flamenco cejilla (capo) So....Classical technique.....flamenco guitar...Bob Dylan jazz arrangement....and Lenny....sounds good to me.
I was visiting in Nova Scotia once when I heard a CBC program on the radio about Lenny. Apparently he wasn't too responsible probably because of the dope he was taking. He had a friend who got him gigs and he (Lenny) would screw it up. He'd show up to play at around 2 am when all the people who came to see him had left, being tired of waiting for him. He would show up carrying his amp and guitar like it was 9:00 pm.Apparently he had a real following they were lined up around the block to see him play. He came to his end at the bottom of a swimming pool apparently suspected drug hit. He probably owed a lot of drug money to the wrong type of people. He was a brilliant guitarist. RIP Lenny.
Unfortunately he was one of those guys who could not navigate life properly. All he could do was play guitar. A total drug fiend who never saw a drug he wouldn’t take.
This jazz guitar playing is from another planet! Lenny was so giftet but i fear, his life was not so happy ;-( why can a child prodigy like him not be lucky?
Thank you Guitar Guitare for posting this! It's great to read the comments and find so many more people getting into Lenny now, and many that have dug him for years but for so long only had the few records he did, and even those mostly out of print. But now the internet has made so much more of Lenny's music available, like this wonderful video and so much more. Thanks again for sharing! He was my mentor and dear friend, a true artist and guitar visionary. I have shared many of the recordings I made of Lenny, but still have a couple of reels I haven't transferred. I've often thought I have heard every recording of Lenny made, but then another one surfaces online or elsewhere and I realize how grateful I am (we all are) that so many folks were there at the right place and time with a tape machine...and Lenny: every moment was/is precious.
I took lessons from a guy in early 70’s. He could play all Chet’s stuff. ETC He jokingly said that the reason Jerry Reed and Chet kept Lenny around the studio in Nashville was to show them how to play. It was a joke but some truth in there too. Lenny is my favorite.
ironically I only saw him once in 73 - playing in the hallway of the local technical school, with kids drifting by with books and vacancy while this genius performed... Went all the way just to see him, if only I had taken more time while he was with us.
