British guitarist reacts to Lenny Breau's MINDBLOWING technique AND expression!!!

[@daveprentice]

Thank you for featuring Lenny Breau. Many years ago I saw him play a small club in Vancouver, accompanied by a bass player. It was towards the end of his career. He was pure magic. Like nothing I had ever seen before, or since. I do not remember him playing hits or standards, but rather for two one-hour sets it seemed he just played free form off the top of his head. He took us on a musical tour of the galaxy. To guitar worlds I had never imagined possible. Every once in a while he'd just smile to himself and chuckle. He was soft spoken, gracious, and kind. He seemed genuinely honoured that we were there. Lenny could play entire songs with only harmonics. His touch was like velvet. Those visions he was dreaming flowed effortlessly from his finger tips through his guitar. I can not fully describe what we witnessed that night. It was breathtaking. I left asking myself, "What planet is this guy from?" I'm grateful for the few videos and recordings that remain. They are mostly of a virtuoso fitting into the entertainment world. What I saw that night was Lenny at home in his own world. I'm so grateful for the experience. RIP Mr. Breau.

[@TheWolfsnack]

......Ahhh...the Nucleus in Vancouver in 1973? My wife and I saw him there back then.....

[@daveprentice]

@@TheWolfsnack yah, that might have been it!

[@mychaelpierce8049]

Lenny was simply one of the most gifted and versatile guitar players ever! Chet said he was the greatest guitarist that ever lived! That is quite a compliment!

[@chandlertheorange]

So did Tommy Emmanuel

[@Rider-hh9it]

The list of admirer's is vast. I read an article with jazz greats Jackie King and Herb Ellis playing a gig with Lenny. Herb was concerned Lenny was better than both of them combined. There is nobody on the planet playing that Piano style of Bill Evans on guitar like Lenny Breau did. I’ve read, heard jazz greats like Wes Montogomery, Phil Upchurch, Geore Van Eps and George Benson talk about Lenny being the greatest. Around 1980-1982 Chet Atkins was on the cover of Guitar Player magazine. Its a blue cover with Chet holding an electric Gretsch. Within Chet talks about Lenny, stating Lenny is the “Greatest guitarist to ever walk the planet.” Find the album “Legendary Lenny Breau”, out of print, produced by Chet and John Knowles (another terrific Nashville guitar player).

[@dantean]

"One of"?! How about ""THE" most gifted and versatile guitar player ever!"?

[@jasonfernandez5428]

Lenny Breau was a friend. Knew him in Stockton, CA. His harmonics were priceless. I enjoyed jamming with him. He would name the chords and he would play a fantastic Jazz solo over my rhythm based on the chords he called out. He took great care of his nails. The file came in handy. Beautiful guy. He is missed.

[@mrzee4862]

Glad to see you've included Lenny Breau. He's been gone a long time and and a lot of people haven't heard of him or don't remember him. He was simply THE BEST, bar none.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@nakim55]

He could do and did so many different things in his lifetime. I love many different players (Wes, Hendrix, pass, winter, etc) but Lenny was probably the greatest, no one could do what he was doing.

[@bobsaturday4273]

wow ! somebody other than Canadians and Chet Atkins know who Lenny is ! OUTSTANDING !

[@chandlertheorange]

Thx for featuring Lenny. Hardly anyone recognizes the pure genius that he had in his guitar playing. He is never featured on any top 100 guitar lists but that's OK because he is beyond those lists. He is my favourite. He was an innovator who didn't really want the lime light. Harp harmonics, his way of fusing different styles together without losing the technique and dynamics our off the charts. I like how you commented on his way of approaching the way he played. Lenny was a hidden gem but many great guitarists know who he is. Hendrix move over and let Lenny take over. Cheers

[@Joshualbm]

On another note, there's an interview with Lenny's last guitar builder who made the 7 string that you mentioned. His name is Kirk Sand and he was working on a double neck for Lenny just prior to Lenny's death. It was going to be a 7 string with a 12 string on top. But Lenny wanted the spacing a little wider between the strings so he could play them singly. Imagine what that would have allowed him to do with that right hand of his! Such a tragic loss.

[@belascialoja4812]

One cool thing I got from Lenny was a tuning technique, & I use it all the time. This achieves a "sweetened" tuning, especially good for fingerstyle. He tuned his G, B, E strings so that this chord: 4. 5. 5 (G to high E) sounded pretty. It's a stack of fourths, so easy to hear. Then Lenny tuned the 7th fret harmonics on the E, A, D so that _this_ stack of fourths matched the fretted treble notes. True, 7th fret harmonics are weird in a tempered scale, but try this before rejecting it. Use *your ear* to get the match. Using a tuner will kinda defeat the purpose. For James Taylor-type stuff, open strings against D or A major, this is a good trick to have in your bag. (Btw, I once saw Chet using this as a quick check on TV.)

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@johntechwriter]

Mr. Narrator, thank you so much for demystifying the art of the greatest guitarist who ever lived. Not being a guitarist myself (I play keyboards but nowhere in this universe), I appreciate your insights into his control of his instrument, as in the combination of bar chords and lead notes, the simultaneous playing of lead and rhythm, the subtle dynamics he is able to accomplish while fingerpicking, something that should not be possible. Perhaps it is true that Breau explores the outer limits, and limitations, of this extremely challenging instrument. Getting to his level of virtuosity must have required first that Breau master his own physical capabilities and push back his innate limitations to the very limit. And that would have involved endless hours of practice -- his commitment must have bordered on obsession. And then he went further. By mastering several guitar styles he had a greater range of options to choose from when developing a simple theme, as shown in this vid, into a dazzling series of ever more abstract variations. Especially if you're a musician, it's easy to be seduced by Lenny Breau's technique, to the point you forget that technique is a means not an end, and its purpose is to be the delivery vehicle for the music. And this is where Breau's true genius prevails. From the virtuosity of his flying fingers he is able to coax with exquisite subtlety the shades and nuances of the piece he is playing, bringing out its composer's intent, as expressed in melody and chord progression, in ways that move the listener emotionally. Through his ability to improvise, and to interpret the piece through different guitar styles, Breau is able to convey this song's simple essence first in one way, and then in another, and another, and so on until he has the listener exploring with him all the musical possibilities contained in a simple melody played over a few chords. One of the few counterparts I can think of in the same league as what Breau does here is classical pianist Glenn Gould: in particular his performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations (1981 recording). Both musicians embody that old expression, "The art lies in concealing the art." That is, both musicians have perfected their technique to the point where it is transparent, leaving the listener exposed purely to the music within. And thus did Gould make Bach accessible to untold thousands of people who up to the point they heard him had no interest in classical music. On the same theme, I would suggest a non-jazz-buff who never heard of Lenny Breau would be entertained and amused by Breau's light-hearted interpretation of "Freight Train." We musical sophisticates (LOL) could learn a thing or two from this. And I can tell this vid's narrator is on to what I'm about to conclude with. If we truly want to give Lenny Breau his due as the great artist he is, we need to banish his technique from the forefront of our mind and listen to his playing with the ears of a child. That is, without precondition or interpretation. Instead, we should let his playing wash over our consciousness, capturing it, and opening it to possibilities of feeling and depth we were not aware we possessed. Only then will we know the genius of Lenny Breau, and our lives will be the richer for it.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@dickspits8819]

This is a very DEEP & well thought out comment.

[@tonyfreeman1339]

Beautifully stated.

[@emjaybee63]

I heard Chet Atkins play the intro to "White Christmas" in 1963, where he plays two harmonic cascades before launching into the song. I thought that must be a studio effect until I heard Lenny's second LP recorded live from Shelly Mann's Manhole. It took me a long time to work out how it was done and an age then to be able to play it. So it was Chet who invented harmonic cascades. When Chet came over to the UK in 1982 he told us that he got the idea from listening to steel guitar players, who play a lot of harmonics. To start off he was playing a natural note with a harmonic and later turned it into an arpeggio and then found the cascades. Lenny's contribution was to expand it and take it to heights that few of us will ever achieve. Lenny was that pure genius that comes along once in a lifetime. He died far too soon into his guitar journey.

[@joebikeguy6669]

This classic tune was written by very fine jazz guitarist and chromatic harmonica player, Toots Thielemans. Love the way you feature so many different styles. KUTGW.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@giovanna8187]

Love Toots Thielemans!!

[@dyskover]

I am happy to say that I met Lenny once or twice or three times and he played my guitar the first time I met him. I didn't know anything about him at all. It was 1970. In his own soft-spoken way, he asked who's guitar was standing in the corner, on a visit to our apartment with friends, and then when I 'owned up to it' he asked if he could play it. Now, this was a crap guitar with a bowed neck, cracked top and 5 strings, maybe. "good luck" I said. In a moment he had it tuned somehow, someway, and was making sounds I couldn't believe were coming from that instrument. I've reviewed most of the content available on Lenny here and I've seen him perform in a fancy Toronto nightclub. The adjective that best describes Lenny's talent is; transcendent.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

This video is one of the reasons I appreciate your channel. I've never heard of some of these performers until your input! Kudos, Fil! 👍👍😊

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@KStewart-th4sk]

You are so right! This channel is exposing so many people to fabulously talented guitarists they have never heard of before. Thanks also, Fil!!

[@jeffsmith5589]

100 percent agree

@@jeffsmith5589 👍😃

[@DJHolte]

Totally agreed! Wasn't familiar with Breau at all before this, but will definitely try to hunt down some of his stuff now. I love discovering the music of older artists. For example, I've been a fan of jazz for much of my life, but it was only a few years ago that I discovered Grant Green, who recorded for Blue Note starting in the early 60s. Here's a great live performance with him, Kenny Burrell and Barney Kessell that I'd love for you to do a video on: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWXNfoSEf6uDhZY

[@ianmorrison9394]

For those of us of a certain vintage,Lenny Breau was always the man.His day with Tal Farlow,( worth a serious look ) was much more than stunning,Twas two guys absolutely oozing technique,at the same time no point scoring,just simply playing together and enjoying what the other was doing,simply lovely.Ian Morrison

[@paulmalfara6071]

Hat tip to Miles Davis at 1:59 when Lenny plays Milestones. He then uses it as an intro to the trio. Lenny absolutely listened to Bill Evans and was influence by his voicings.

[@rayross997]

I read once that when Lenny played some Chet Atkins pieces for Chet that he had learned off Chet's recordings that Chet had to explain to Lenny that the complex playing Lenny was doing had actually been done by Chet on the recording by dubbing techniques. Lenny was actually playing the dubbed in parts live in front of Chet, which totally amazed Atkins.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha cool!

[@mitchettie1581]

Awesome just Amazing. I can only imagine a player as good as Chet, saying well yeah right I a um yeah well had to, well lol, I had to double a in the one part of that. Amazing!!!!

[@roycelennox9211]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does someone know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my login password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

[@brodiegus2473]

@Royce Lennox Instablaster :)

[@roycelennox9211]

@Brodie Gus I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@dwebster50]

Glad to finally see that you are showing the best guitar player ever! Some of his Winnipeg recording are amazing. Emily would be so very proud he is now getting more appreciation. 38 years after he passed. 🇨🇦😊

[@jimneuzil]

I am an old guy who just recently found this series and have enjoyed Fil's analysis of a lot of my old fav players from the 60s and 70s but really enjoy players like Breau that I've never heard of. In a short time, I'm a huge fan of Fil and his appreciation for so many different genres of guitar playing!!! Love this guy!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Jim!

[@TempleOfFilm]

real glad you have found Lenny, no matter how long it took. You only live once, and the velvet touch of Lenny Breau should not be missed if one can help it. I had a head start, we're from the same town.

[@giovanna8187]

@@TempleOfFilm Velvet touch is the perfect description. Like a cat, who's capable of so much intricate movement, and makes it seem effortless. Smooth and sensual.

[@TempleOfFilm]

​@@giovanna8187 In high school i got to know his first two releases; his LPs only 4 or 5 years old. He was well known locally of course, very active on the scene. And on (Canadian) tv. More: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Touch_of_Lenny_Breau_%E2%80%93_Live!

[@boogiexx]

I played some hard and technical chord melody stuff and went through it with some good old try hard, untill i tried to play Lenny it was like I took a guitar for the first time, he's usage of block chords and then playing melody on top of them hanging is both beautiful and technically hard as hell, don't be fooled by the ease of expression that he shows that is some next level playing that you see here. He's later stuff and harmonics is just out of this world.

[@CurtisBoyle]

Randy Bachman (of The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, etc.) is huge fan, and was taught by Lenny when they were both in Winnipeg, and Randy was a teenager. You can here some of Lenny's influence in Bachman's tunes like "Undun" with the Guess Who, and "Lookin' Out for #1" with BTO.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@tomgeorge7281]

Randy tells about Lenny on his album Every Song Tells a Story.

[@rick3747]

That is crazy! Lenny was superb! I have been a big BTO fan since 1976.

[@MarekSokal]

I took lessons with Chet Breau, Lenny's son. Learned so much from him, and chatted about his dad a lot. Love Lenny's guitar playing, I even got to hold his 7 string acoustic on the cover of swingin on a seven string. Lowest action I've ever seen on a classical, you could literally press a fret down with a feather touch.

[@Watthead80]

One of the things I like about your videos Fil, is that you expose me to new musicians that I would've likely never discovered my another means. Thank you so much for what you do.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@scottsteeves]

Another good one. I have never heard him play before. Thanks!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@davesmith7993]

Growing up in Winnipeg I remember hearing Lenny playing in his family's country band on a local radio program. He was to Randy Bachman who went to Lenny's house to learn from the local phenom, what Chet became to him. His father disciplined him for adding jazz licks while playing traditional country with him which thank goodness lead to him quitting and going on his own. Lenny was so technically advanced he had a custom 7-string guitar built for him in order to "better express himself" I believe was how he put it. I had never heard of a 7-string guitar way back then. Chet treated him like a son and referred to him as a genius. A sad and tragic ending for a guy who was a genius musically, yet didn't possess the regular life skills to take care of himself properly.

[@reemclaughlin4260]

I love that I didn't have any idea who Lenny was too, and I love how open you are to so many different artists. Really great channel. 👍🏼❣

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Ree!

[@reemclaughlin4260]

@@wingsofpegasus You are very welcome!

[@chipurBillWhite]

Chet Atkins was like a father to Lenny. In an interview after Lenny died Chet said Lenny was a guitar genius, but playing was all he had. Chet said he and others in the inner circle knew that Lenny simply couldn’t care for himself. Tragically fascinating.

[@stringsmoke]

The descending turn around type thing that ends the song at 5:25 in this video is really cool!

[@martydibergi5228]

I saw Lenny dozens of times years ago in Toronto and have some great memories and stories. Thanks for posting my number one favourite guitarist 😍 Lenny was a gift. I love Bluesette and even gave Jerry Donahue a copy of his cd The Velvet Touch. Thanks

[@roberthorn333]

The man knows where he's going and the speeds with which he is going to get there. Then you have the ease with which he moves between styles, and changes the speed. He's a formidable player.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@rickm1255]

Wow!! That was awesome. Thanks again Fil.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@TheBladepolisher]

What's even more impressive is the dedication behind the practicing it must've taken to achieve this level of mastery. Maestro Lenny Breau ! !

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Love the tie in with all these great players. Chet Atkins, Lenny breau, Jerry Reed, all we're friends and played together. What we hear today in acoustic music was created by these guys in the 50s and 60s. Lenny tragically left us to soon.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen.

[@unclejack123]

Phil ... thanks for reviewing this video of Lenny ..... his story is sadly fascinating ....... His (grown) daughter did a documentary on her dad (who she never really knew)..... it can be found on u-tube (in parts) ...... well worth a look ....... a guitar genius who left us way to soon.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen.

[@JazzRockswithAdam]

*A big part of Lenny's sound was heavily influenced by pianist Bill Evans and he is actually playing chords mostly without roots. A lot of 3rds and 7ths then playing lines over top of that.* Much like piano players do.

[@sandraard4306]

Love being exposed to these different techniques . I really learn something new with each video or at least understand it a little better . My face has melted !

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha cool!

[@tommihail282]

Lenny didn't just dabble in other styles but mastered them all. According to Cher Atkins ''Lenny knew more about the instrument than anyone'!!! Pity he died floating in a swimming pool with his wife accused of his murder at the time, she was acquitted later.. ''The Gentle Genius of Lenny Breau lives on'!!! Thanks for posting Phil!!!

[@Skiarp]

Plus he named his son, also a very good guitarist after Chet

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@darrendackly4754]

When you have "MINDBLOWING" in the title, you automatically set the bar high. I am happy to report, that my mind had indeed, been blown while watching this video. Yet another gem, thank you Phil.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@Skiarp]

His guitar student the lead guitar player and main music composer for the Guess Who and BTO Randy Bachmann rereleased LB's albums on his Guitarchives label.

[@JoeandAngie]

Cool to know! American Woman lp by the Guess Who is one of of my "desert island " lps

[@Skiarp]

Plus the teenage Neil Young lived not far away from him on Grosvenor Street in Winnipeg.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@Skiarp]

Check out "Boy Wonder" on Guitarchives. An instrumental set of pop songs, country and jazz that Breau recorded when he was 13! I have guitarst freinds that are blown away by it. LB's father was a professional entertainer with a regular weekday slot in the noon show on CJAY TV under the name Lonepine and had accesd to their recording studio. A number of early Winnipeg bands recorded there most notably Chad Allen and the Expressions which later renamed to The Guess Who.

[@Skiarp]

Correction: he was 15

[@marciamatts2047]

Thanks for introducing me to Lenny Breau's guitar playing. You are so articulate and extremely knowledgeable. I look forward to every new analysis. Thanks!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks! No problem!

[@alanhorabin744]

I first came across him when Andy Summers named him as a major influence. In fact he had a couple of lessons from him. I went digging deeper and found he had influenced a whole host of great guitar players. To call him ‘The Greatest’ may be subjective, but he has to be close. His level of talent was off the charts.

[@alzinn8231]

Nzinn73 I agree with your comment, I don't think there is a single greatest player, although I agree that someone like Lenny is about as good as it gets. Is he better than someone like Danny Gatton? It's subjective as you say. Lenny was about as advanced a player harmonically as possible, though.

[@BobSaint]

Rick Beato just took out his interview with Summers yesterday, and sure - he mentioned Breau episode, it's just after full hour of video.

[@pdmcgee1]

Thank Fil. I saw Lenny in the early 1980s in Edmonton, Canada. He sat in wirh Amos Garrett at a small lounge during the jazz festival. He playedd "Bach's Bourree" and anorher tune. You could hear a pin drop in the room while he played. Amazing.

[@brucehanson6427]

My cousin used to drum for Lenny occasionally when he played in Edmonton. He turned me on to Lenny when I was 18 and I was at a gig when he played with Amos. Amos Garrett and Lenny Breau are two of the most under-appreciated Canadian guitarists ever

[@wadsmitter511]

In my opinion, he's the greatest guitar player most people haven't heard of!

[@shawnmalloy4339]

That's, at least in part, because his was Canadian and we do a terrible job of promoting and bragging about our success stories!

[@DiamonDave1361]

...and a major influence on my favorite guitarist, Danny Gatton..

[@peterwhite507]

@@shawnmalloy4339 Yup, how many people know Frank Marino or Jeff Healy to name a couple.

[@jmcljazz6733]

No the greatest no one was anywhere near Lenny not even close

[@digital6string1]

@@jmcljazz6733 Agree

[@cruiseguitar]

Love the way this young guitarist just beams in appreciation of the sheer unbridled genius of the great Lenny Breau.

[@uneedtherapy42]

Classical technique with jazz harmonies... MIND BLOWN!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah!

[@dinos8557]

The impossible style of Lenny, an absolute master who so few have ever heard of. Thanks for featuring him. He has a video of doing harmonics on his 7 string electric which is worth a watch.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem ☺

[@soyeux27]

I'm a piano player who discovered guitar as a teenager. A such unique gifted guitarist, there will never be another Lenny Breau.

[@darrellsomers5427]

I've been watching lenny's unreal talent for the last few days my mind is still tangled ,Chet and Jerry said he's the best they had ever seen ,I can see why have you ever seen anyone like him ?

[@jimwoolley53]

Have a look at him playing Georgia on my mind from cbc jazz from 1963.. Technique mind blowing

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@peterfrost6507]

Lenny had a program on CBC in Canada, coming from Winnipeg. I watched every episode, (only lasted from August 1966 through September) not really believing what I was seeing.There are a number of Lenny's playing worth checking out - just Goggle him. Lenny played in a jazz group with fellow Canadians, Don Franks and Eon Henstridge that I was privileged to hear at George's Spaghetti House and the Purple Onion in 1962 in Toronto.

[@tedwalters8616]

Wow- never heard of this guitarist and its so good how the piece is so dynamic. Also notice the control of both right and left hand. Great stuff on this channel

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@willmorrison1022]

When it comes to the 7 string guitar, there was one guy who was before Lenny, but he put a lower string on like most people who play 7 string do. George Barnes was playing a 7 string that he had Gretsch build for him and was quite the monster on the thing. He also wrote 4 books on how to play the 7 string, though I don't know that even Gretsch was building one as a standard model. BTW, there isn't much video of him, but there is some of George up here on YT. I would suggest checking him out, the guy was a serious player.

[@VisionaryCompanion]

George Van Eps is another guitarist that I would recommend for this series. Van Eps called his guitar a "lap piano," and began playing a seven-string in the late thirties, if I am not mistaken. However, as with Bucky Pizzarelli, it was a lower string rather than the higher string. Also, I hope our Winged Pegasus does a bit on Johnny Smith, someone I am sure Lenny Breau was aware of.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@willmorrison1022]

Johnny was the guy who made me want to really play jazz guitar. Specifically the Kaleidoscope album. Still to my mind one of the most mind bogglingly perfect guitar albums ever done. The solo on Walk Don't Run alone is worth the price of admission. REALLY hard to find good video of him playing, though. There seems to be more as time goes on, but considering how great of a player he was, it's like there's almost nothing. What a loss that he wasn't documented better. I'd LOVE to see him when he was really wailing. How did he do those arpeggios so fast and so perfectly? What a monster. And so tasteful as well. Won't see another one like him.

[@willmorrison1022]

George was a monster. I've got a couple of LPs of his where he just burns the strings off the guitar. Then, what little I've seen of him playing is pretty much solo, and he's got fingers like nobody's business on the right hand, too. I've got his first book on PDF, I've got to find the other 3. My brother gave me his old 7 string when he built himself a new one, and I'm trying to figure out what to do with that 7th string. So far I'm working on just keeping my thumb out of the way of it. Funny how one extra string makes it a different instrument.

[@JackCerro]

Fantastic finger picking. I could have listened to that improv bit at the beginning forever. Great analysis.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@fellow026]

Check out some of his albums, like Cabin Fever - it's basically him noodling in a cabin, going in and out of tunes, all solo guitar. And the living room tapes is probably my favorite, it's a duo with him and Clarinetist Brad Terry.

[@nickpanousakis3205]

Thanks for this Lenny Breau clip. Just amazing.

[@juantailor]

another great guitarist who deserves to be heard. Thanks Fil for bringing these players to our attention. 🎸

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@dmskon]

Breau was a genuis. Some great clips with Lenny and Tal Farlow on YT.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@TheAccidentalTroubadour]

Well done mate. I’ll be going down a Breau rabbit hole this weekend.

[@katherinea.rodgers8366]

Grand performance! I love your channel because there's always a surprise. Some performers I have known, some I know and some are new to me.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@MrMan_47]

Hey Fil, check out Doyle Dykes! I had the privilege to see him twice. Front row both times. I couldn't believe the sound that was coming out of the guitar. He is one of the best fingerstyle players ever!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@kodiakfamily8032]

I love it Fil. Another guitarist I have never heard of. Awesome! Thank you!

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@jeffwolf9343]

Love the heads up on such great talent. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@robertburke784]

WOW, lets hear you play that Yngwie Malmsteen! He seems like he is playing the melody and the bass lines at the same time. As a hack guitarist for 30+ years, I am in awe of all finger pickers, but this is above an beyond many. Never heard of him, won't forget him!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@TempleOfFilm]

there have been 2 short plays written about Lenny Breau too, one of which i saw a few years ago at a Fringe Fest

[@josemolina959]

Fil. I have a friend in Maine, that was a personal friend of Lenny Breau , his name is Bob Thompson, he swears that Lenny was the best guitarist in the planet! He spent many years with Lenny until his passing. Bob Thompson is also a phenomenal player from McLauglin to Jeff Beck to Hendrix and of course his own compositions. He was in the faculty of Berklee School of music in Boston for many years, he now is a producer at a studio owned by the grandson of Randolph Hearst. The reason why I mention Bob Thompson is because I wish that you could do an analysis of his playing, it would blow your mind! Thank you for this superb analysis of Lenny, he was indeed a master!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Jose, no problem!

[@rjjen1696]

I met him in 1973 - he was kind enough to try out a guitar (335) I was buying - saw him solo many times - his brother Denny is fantastic also

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@paulbuxton1326]

Simply Awsome sad he’s gone , Danny Gatton loved Lenny 🎼👌thanks Phil

[@johnsholl698]

Fantastic! Thanks for introducing me to this amazing musician! Have you ever listened to Sandy Bull? His debut, Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo, from the early 60’s is fantastic.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Not yet! Thanks!

[@jeffreyl.7210]

Excellent performance! Excellent video! Thank you 😎👍

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@stephens9462]

You finally got me. A guitarist I hadn’t heard before even though the name sounds familiar.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@jimalcott760]

Another great performance and analysis, thanks Fil.

[@alrobertson1432]

Lenny grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, where I lived for a number of years. It's where I first heard of him, and I picked up a couple of good stories along the way. Fil mentioned that he grew out his fingernails on the right hand. One day, in the middle of a brutal Winnipeg winter, Lenny was walking down the street and slipped on some ice. He had his hands in his pockets at the time, and left them there as he fell flat on his face. Didn't want to break a nail! The other one is about a musician from the Southern States. He and his cohorts knew about Lenny Breaux and really liked him. Said musician made a trip to Canada, and while there, had the opportunity to see Lenny Perform. When he came home he said to his buddies, "You know the Lenny Breaux band", to which they all replied, "Yeah?", He then explained, "It's not a band, it's just one guy named Lenny Breaux." They were all duly amazed. Great work Fil. Keep it up, I love it.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

The second he made that mustache... he was already a winner in my book!

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂👍

[@snoboi92]

I remember watching an interview with Chet which I cant remember where. However he was saying when he was learning to play a song by one of his idols he added in playing with three fingers to manage what was done on the record only to find out later it was actually 2 guitar players playing on the record. Lenny did this listening to Chet and he found out later some of Chet's songs were dubbed over. It's amazing to see these two play. Glad to say I'm from Lenny's home town of Winnipeg, I've heard many early stories about Lenny from some of the older musicians that grew up playing with him! His son Chet Breau is no slouch on guitar either he definitely has it in his blood.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@brucehanson6427]

I'm an old Silver Heights boy transplanted to Alberta. My cousin used to drum for Lenny whenever he played in Edmonton. Sadly many guitar players I know have never even heard of Lenny. I was fortunate enough to meet his daughter Emily Hughes in Calgary but couldn't help tearing up when I spoke to her about her film The Genius of Lenny Breau. Rest in peace gentle genius

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

This is very early Lenny ! As the years went by he got increasingly better , and more experimental ! His use of harmonics made everyone turn their head ! A real Genius , and adventuresome guitar player ! He was magic , unfortunately his Demons took over and he left us in his prime !! He is another one of my heros , that makes me practice guitar even harder !

[@chandlertheorange]

He also could play the bass way outside of the box. He was doing stuff on the bass 10 years before Jocko. Too bad not much was recorded. True genius

[@mikejohnson5837]

Really love that song, it's so relaxing. Takes the classical guitar to another level. Really nice video Fil!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@mikev207]

Spotify has full albums of Lenny. They are all great!

[@veloguy4]

Outstanding review!! So glad you did this Phil. I knew you would flip out. I only wish I was hip to him when he played LA on a semi regular basis,

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@drewpall2598]

I've been on an instrumental kick lately. what performance Lenny Breau's did here nothing flashy just great strumming. "side note" unfortunately back in the early days of live television they focus more on the upper part of the performer or lead singer of a band and misses out on the actual technical part of the musicians playing ability or rest of the band. thanks Fil, for all these great analysis video's

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@channelmixer]

Yes, one of the things that I enjoy most of your chanel is getting introduced to artists that I am totally unfamiliar with.

[@michelepiteo7179]

Beautiful back-stepping in this Malaguena before lurching forward like a held breath

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@nickfelicione6300]

Wow! Blown away by how clean this is! I'm sure that like other players, playing barre chords on an acoustic gets tough after a couple of minutes. I love the technique of the right thumb. Rolling that bass line. You rock, Fil!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@apezincorporated321]

I used to teach at a music store in Lewiston, Maine (USA) and Lenny's sister-in-law taught flute there. Through that little community, I met his brother Denny (an excellent guitarist, to be sure) and learned a lot about Lenny. It's a shame that he died so young, but I'm stoked that his influence lives on and has even crossed the big pond to reach blokes like you. Cheers!

[@johnleonard3806]

Never heard of LennyB. Great job!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@gregmardon6973]

I will have to agree with you and pile on, I have been introduced to a few musician's I've never heard before, for me it is quite the joy!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@gerardgiudice8303]

You Have INTRODUCED TO ME SO MANY PLAYERS I NEVER WOULD HEARD IF NOT FOR YOU .THANKS BROTHER .

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@tryptamineodyssey]

Lenny is incredible!!! One of my favorites very underrated

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@tonmisty]

One of my favourite guitarists.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@jopisano67]

This kind of playing and style of music has always been one of my favorites to listen to in any kind of setting.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@davidthompson245]

Control of both hands,awesome precision!..humbling performance mate.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@thelonious-dx9vi]

Wow that's some good Lenny footage; never saw this before. He was so brilliant, and totally one-off. What he did was so difficult that it's hard to be influenced by him. As Fil points out, his 7-string approach added the extra string on *top*, which is completely opposite from "regular" 7-string. Thanks Fil, great pick.

[@jazzmandolin5004]

I saw Lenny do a workshop in Ottawa he said since there weren't 7 string sets he used a nylon fishing line for that high A

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

A lot of my family are from Maine. Auburn is right near Lewiston. He really moved that left leg while playing, but his right leg didn't move much at all. Is he the most underrated guitarist ever?

[@wingsofpegasus]

Possibly!

[@michaelobrien8219]

i was fortunate enough to see him live in a little club in Vancouver, BC in 1972 - a little unsteady from night to night, but brilliant

[@daveprentice]

Me too. Never seen anything like it.

[@eleetse6701]

I thought I had heard of all of them, but learned something new here. Thanks Fil

[@rraiola123]

Great review of a master! Thanks dude.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@BirdDogg]

Killer stuff. You can hear Chet’s influence but hearing it used in a different style is really cool. Dude has a sick right hand, lots going on there!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah!

[@mariorabottini5687]

Never heard of him Fil! My god each finger has its own brain! He’s really amazing thank you for highlighting these guitarist that fly under the radar they’re awesome!! Brilliant vid Fil !!,😀👌👌

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@deormanrobey892]

Fantastic! Really enjoying your "reaction" series.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@peterdammann2201]

Took a couple of lessons with Lenny, and saw him play a handful of solo and duo gigs, in Maine in the late '70s. I barely knew who he was at that point; well, not a lot of people knew who he was at that point. No guitarist I've seen or heard, and I've seen or heard most of the greats at some point, has blown my mind so thoroughly as Lenny did. A completely different level of the game....

[@peterdammann2201]

He told me he was having a seven string guitar made. I assumed a low C to allow more bass runs. He said the seventh string would be a high A, strung with fishing line. I asked him why a seven string, why a high A? 'Man, now I'll be able to play all seven notes of a scale in any chord!.' My head, 30 years later, is still spinning.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@trestuges]

Keep up the great videos, Fil! This was a name I'd heard of, but never heard play. Stellar! End of the first section reminded me of some of Badi Assad's work...

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@loilt5091]

Bravo Fil, I was gonna suggest Mr. Breau...Lenny is my absolute favourite jazz based guitarist; his genre spanning command & especially, the fingerstyle technique, combining Chet's Travis thing with jazz, his insane harmonics and beyond, creating a Renoiresque musical hybrid, the world will never hear, again! Like many other greats, he looks beyond his own instrument and art form to Bill Evans & Renoir. He lived in my hometown for awhile...unfortunately, I was in my early adolescence & unhip to his artistry at the time. He was so dedicated to his art, that he once fell flat on his face, in the icy Canadian streets, only to protect his hands! Phil, I'd really appreciate your take on a few of my more obscure favourites; Snooks Eaglin, (a killer into at; Blues Access magazine issue #38) & Don Ross. There's tons of others, but that's a start...

[@TempleOfFilm]

lived for a while in my old neighbourhood, not too many streets away, i just learned today. I was too young also, but remember his early renown - in coffeehouses and bars, and then his own show produced at the local cbc station.