Lenny Breau - 1979 "Lenny Breau Trio"

Lenny Breau Trio is an album by Maine-born guitarist Lenny Breau, released in 1979. Originally released on Direct-Disk Labs, it was reissued in 1995 on the Adelphi label and as Lenny Breau Trio on CD on the Genes label in 1999. Breau's friend and mentor Chet Atkins guests on "You Needed Me".

Guitarist Lenny Breau, who did not gain the recognition he deserved during his relatively brief lifetime, is heard in fine form on this obscure Adelphi LP. Breau performs five numbers (two originals, songs by Bob Dylan and John Coltrane, and "You Needed Me") in a trio with a pair of talented Canadians: bassist-pianist Don Thompson and drummer Claude Ranger. Breau mixed together elements from country music and jazz to develop an original sound and style. This album gives listeners a strong example of his legendary artistry.

Recorded direct-to-disc in the spring of 1979, this recording documents the genius of guitarist Lenny Breau, a startlingly original player who combined elements of country, jazz and flamenco into an organic voice.

A champion of both fingerstyle and seven-string guitar (with a high A-string), Breau was also known for his bell-like harmonic passages, a technical innovation that was emulated by a whole lineage of great guitar stylists from Larry Coryell to Steve Masakowski, Phil deGruy, Bireli Lagrene and Charlie Hunter.

Accompanied by the Canadian rhythm section of Don Thompson on bass and Claude Ranger on drums, Breau demonstrates mind-boggling facility and fluidity on a jazzy interpretation of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright)” and on a blistering, pent-up rendition of John Coltrane’s “Mister Night.” They turn in a burning rendition of “On Green Dolphin Street” (moronically mistitled here as “Neptune”) and cool out on a gorgeous “The Shadow of Your Smile” (here mistitled as “Claude”), in which Breau demonstrates his uncanny affinity for pianist Bill Evans’ impressionistic approach on guitar. Breau’s mentor, guitar great and Nashville executive Chet Atkins, guests on a lovely rendition of Anne Murray’s “You Needed Me.”

Jazz guitarists everywhere need to check out this remarkable (and remarkably overlooked) player.

Legendary guitarist is presented here with his original Jazz Trio, featuring Don Thompson & Claude Ranger, as well as in a duet with Chet Atkins. This Nashville session was originally released in 1980.

The late Lenny Breau was an uncrowned king of jazz fingerstyle guitar. a relatively unknown voice on the instrument, he startled newcomers to his music by his ability to comp chords behind himself sounding like two guitarists, ring out lengthy bell-like harmonic passages, tastefully blend his influences of country, jazz and flamenco and fluidly improvise in this style.

The greatest guitar player in the world today is the way Chet Atkins described Lenny Breau during his brief but mesmerizing career, his extraordinary ability on the guitar has not been matched, making his slim catalog of recordings a must have for fans and serious players alike. This album, Lenny Breau Trio, features the Canadian rhythm section of bassist Don Tompson and drummer Claude Ranger, plus a stunning duet with friend/mentor Chet Atkins on the first track. Recorded in the direct-to-disk method, which requires cutting an entire side at one sitting, these performances capture the excitement and brilliance of live performance, while retaining the purity of studio sound.

Track listing:

"You Needed Me" (Randy Goodrum) – 4:31
"Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)" (Bob Dylan) – 6:35
"Mister Night" (John Coltrane) – 4:45
"Neptune" (Lenny Breau) – 8:32
"Claude (Free Song)" (Breau) – 6:27

Personnel:

Lenny Breau – guitar
Chet Atkins – guitar ("You Needed Me")
Don Thompson – bass
Claude Ranger – drums