Chet Atkins and Lenny Breau - Sweet Georgia Brown

Chet and Lenny playing this jazz-classic in late 70s / early 80s. Chet is still using a microphone, so I think its pre 1982. One of the best performances of this song!
I wish someone would post an version in better quality. Enjoy watching these two guitar legends perform together! Very rare!

[@dantean]

JESUS! You know you've accomplished something as a guitar player when CHET FREAKING ATKINS is staring down your hands to see how and what it is you're doing. I mean, IT'S CHET FREAKING ATKINS, PEOPLE! MY GOD!

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Yup. If Chet regards you as his peer, you are well and truly in the top tier. I’m not sure that there enough players at that level to even make a tier 😂

[@MikeJohnsonsTube]

Chet Atkins was so progressive...he recognized Lennys's gift and pulled him into the fold of Nashville music...which allowed me to met Lenny and develop a friendship that was unparalleled...miss him so much+ #MikeJohnsonJazz

[@samsonkitty17]

I was most fortunate to know Lenny and be in attendance at several private morning concerts at a friend's home where he was staying while in Maine. What talent!

[@johnfurman8211]

That would have been clarinetist Brad Terry. They recorded what would turn out to be the "Living Room" tapes.

[@mosrite60]

This is why Chet loved Lenny soo much.and just enjoyed playing duets with him. Great performance never, never to be duplicated!.

[@commanderthorkilj.amundsen3426]

Actually, Danny Gatton has a performance of Sweet Georgia Brown from around same time, that was released after his death as “The Humbler Stakes His Claim” that I witnessed. An astonishing display. Too bad Roy, Chet, etc knew about Danny, but pretty much ignored him.

[@1610austin]

2 of the absolute greatest guitarists in the world .

[@MrMjp58]

Lenny was immensely talented.

[@GenePutnam]

Great performance. Lenny seemed to bring out the best in Chet. Sadly, they did not do many recordings together. Lenny was know as "Lone Pine, Jr." in his youth. He developed the technique of the harmonic "pull offs" Chet became so fond of. Lenny had a fingerstyle jazz sound all his own. A remarkable talent at and early age, and he left this earth too soon.

[@lrn_news9171]

They did two albums together right? That's a pretty decent amount of recordings

[@gael5609]

but Lenny was jazzman not Atkins

[@Gregorypeckory]

​@@gael5609Jazz mixed with other genres, notably country.

[@NeoGodHand]

Must've been a miracle for Lenny to play with Chet. Chet was his hero growing up.

[@jasonritchey9813]

live how chet Atkins loved this guy. wished and wanted him success!

[@mosrite60]

Post Lenny's death in LA 1984, Chet paid visit to Emily Hughes his daughter (Edmonton). Chet was all in tears and broken up. Very dramatic ending to genius. That episode affected Chet deeply. One of music's world worst tragedies.

[@merrlinn1]

This is good as it gets.

[@camiloadrianfrias4521]

amen!

[@UroboricNate]

I love how all the host can do at the end is laugh at what he just heard & witnessed.

[@pagornchait1471]

two of all time genius playing togther

[@goldensleeves]

WOW... there is so much to be learned from listening to this

[@tennisbumojai]

Absolutely precious footage .

[@tomcoryell]

I learned a lot from Lenny. Guitar player mag in the 80’s

[@henrybartlett1986]

Utterly magical.

[@bencrosier8568]

Lenny could play anyone off the stage if he wanted, he adored Chet. Chet's stuff is quaint , Lenny's is worlds colliding

[@prisonersforprofit]

how they both effortlessly (seemingly) shred that standard.

[@BenWeeks-ca]

Intense playing for such a chill song.

[@brutallyremastered4255]

What a great point.

[@ktpinnacle]

Yet they seem to glide through so much of it.

[@buckbuck666]

wow just wow chets like wtf am i gonna play to follow this lol we love you lenny we miss you

[@aorden]

Lenny Breau's incredible technique and harmonic choices !...using Lydian b7 scales around this tune stunning

[@derekmcgowan4335]

Lenny was a freaking genius!!

[@JackTheSkunk]

Two masters at work. You wouldn't know it from watching this clip but Lenny had a tremendous drug problem. Not even Chet could get him to give up dope and realize his full potential as a guitarist.

[@tennisbumojai]

Smooth as silk. Absolutely magnificent.

[@bobcon95]

On occasion, I get the privilege to play with Lenny's brother Denny, and let me assure you, though he is no Lenny, he is a monster on the guitar. He is incredibly talented and a great guy. I look forward to playing music with him in the future.

[@turdrhinofiend]

+bobcon95 fancy naming your two boys Lenny and Denny, is there a Benny waiting in the wings? All joking aside, thanks for the personal details.

[@timmullens9479]

+turdrhinofiend triplet siblings: Jenny,Penny and of course Kenny,, the even younger ones twins Denny and Henny (Henny's dad may have been jewish)

[@kevinkinnu341]

Talk about two giants of the guitar

[@Dont_insult_people]

I used to play all over N Am 40 years. I watched this and I am DONE,

[@sunaJH]

Lenny is the guitar player Chet always wanted to be:) Poor Lenny:(

[@bobdimarzio3972]

WOW ! Lennie smokes this one and Chet just lets im rip ! There was even shades of Django there for a minute Shows the level at which both these individuals operate at .

[@plizzligh4845]

More than shadows ...bout' Jang' ...He was Here in him or scuse Him too ..

[@todds79jag]

thats the earliest sweep picking footage I've ever seen....2:49....Both are phenomenal

[@rockinredneck57]

​@todds79jag Chet was sweep picking with Jerry Reed in 75. He just casually threw it in, and few noticed. Look up Jerry's Breakdown with Jerry and Chet .

[@patbrennan6572]

Holy shit.

[@olddrummer1942]

Nice to see an old friend (Lenny) haven't seen anything on him in years. Last time I saw anything was his daughters production of the death of Lenny. Real sad. I remember him in Winnipeg from a long time ago. Argueably the best guitar player in the world, But I always thought he was. Thasnks for posting this

[@bazonics]

Stop wining about the quality like a lot of spoiled brats! Can't you see the wonder that we can find these things on the Internet, for free to boot. 10 years ago the majority of us wouldn't even have known it existed at all. Just enjoy and be thankful. Rant over!

[@bobbystahr]

my 2 favorite guitarists, thanks for sharing this!

[@jimmaculate5]

Sounds like Ralph Emery laffing at the end; made me laugh as well. Delightful! Btw, Doc Watson plays this beautifully on his Vanguard lp, Southbound.

[@spacebuffalo]

"...he left this earth too soon." Amen!

[@philipmcdunnough4061]

Really like these two.Excellent... Saw Lenny in Toronto live 30+ years ago. Really interesting with the high tuned 7th string. Another great 7 string guitar player was George van Eps who used a low 7th string which gives a very piano like feeling to the guitar. Lenny's tuning had a sitar feeling.

[@lindamonkman484]

Shenandoah. Guitar

[@danielshade710]

2:09 when you can make Chet Frackin Atkins wince in wow that was badass harmonics shi you up to there.... Then you a fine player.

[@bradleystereoguitaramplifi9616]

I think Lenny was one of the best❤🎸

[@markplumb3968]

If you watch the Interview with Tommy Emanuel on Lenny Breau, He mentions Chet saying Lenny was the greatest guitar player walking the Earth… It’s quite an interesting interview, Tommy also discusses that intangible line between musicians understanding greatness and the public understanding it, and if you forget that you’re in for a world of hurt…..

[@TheZach43]

Looks like Lenny is playing his 7-string here. Nice sweep picking by Chet at 2:47. Love this video. Listen also to their "Standard Brands" excerpts in YT - especially "This Can't Be Love".

[@billdedman2971]

I kept waiting for them to break into the bebop standard, "DIG" at one of the new choruses... That would have been incredible; the two of them trading fours, just playing the melody of "Dig......" It was pretty incredible, just like they did it...

[@DidierLaurini]

Superb as usual !

[@DavidSmith-kz8lr]

I Played with Lenny's Brother Denny......told him my favorite guitar player was Lenny...He said mine too Ha!

[@lgcrooks]

Lenny Breau from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A huge influence in the development of Randy Bachman's (Guess Who, BTO) skill and talent back in old 'Peg City!

[@johnmitchell9180]

Lenny Breau grew up in Maine, performing wth his parents. Lone Pine and Betty Cody...

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

@@johnmitchell9180Depends what you mean by “grew up”. Family lived in Maine until he was seven when they moved to nearby New Brunswick; he took up the guitar at eight. Family moved to Winnipeg when he was 16, and he struck out on his own in Winnipeg at 18 when he had a falling out with his father.

[@johnmitchell9180]

…thanks. I saw Lenny several times in Maine when performing with Lone Pine…he was known then as “Lone Pine Junior”.

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

@@johnmitchell9180 Very cool! They toured the area on both sides of the border, and his very first recordings were in Maine.

[@fnub]

Miss these guys! Thanks for sharing 🍻

[@alexfletcher5192]

One senses this was almost casual for Lenny. He was the real deal.

[@buckbuck666]

the ending is kool chet ends with his super lick lenny ends with his harmonics amazing totally

[@bradcondon6632]

Just wow!

[@davidchamberlain8910]

I love it when Lenny pulls out that Coltrane stuff!

[@shaiguitar]

Coltrane stuff, time mark?

[@davidchamberlain8910]

@@shaiguitar The first 8 measures of his solo.

[@shaiguitar]

@@davidchamberlain8910 so at 1:20? I'm listening for a giant steps whole tone/major third sounds but not hearing it. What are you referring to? Time mark range helps.

[@davidchamberlain8910]

@shaiguitar Ha ha! That isn’t Coltrane's only trick. There was a point in the development of Lenny's language where he suddenly seemed to become fluent in all this Coltrane/McCoy language. You can hear it on some of his recordings. Here's an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpO9d6qubtyae6ssi=uNQfaDni8gxzNYX8 You don't need a time mark. Just listen to the beginning of his solo.

[@shaiguitar]

@@davidchamberlain8910 I never said it was his only trick. But it's distinctively Coltrane. Other bits can fall into generic bebop language, which Coltrane had spades of. But harder to identify as uniquely sounding. If you have a concrete time range and origin coltrane would love to learn more.

[@johntechwriter]

Chet later called Lenny "the greatest guitar player who ever walked the face of the earth." Here it's easy to see why. Breau plays, without conscious effort, passages that would be beyond the ability of pros. He has transcended his instrument and could allow his musical imagination to roam free. The only things that could catch up with him were his demons.

[@stuartewoldt1513]

That was perfectly said..

[@buckbuck666]

priceless video worth a million thx

[@dougdavis8986]

Lenny playing circles around Chet.

[@Hollcall]

Now THAT is a blend of North & South Fabs

[@Dissent-Rising1]

I met Lenny he rode my bike at Gene and Flo Hoopers place the picture of him on it exists somewhere? Remember him well this was early 80s just before he went West.

[@dudeit7721]

Lenny what a beauty.

[@rarestuff87]

Me too. Hopefully someday it will appear on youtube in better quality!

[@anitadavideduo]

YESSSSS

[@chrisdick2305]

We are too obsessed with best of lists -- inherently arbitrary in the world of music. Rolling Stone knows ^&*^%^all about great jazz players; and Lenny may have been the best there ever was. Danny Gatton and Ted Greene both thought he was the master of finger style. Also what he did harmonically, no one except great jazz pianists like Bill Evans had ever done before. I so wish he was still around.

[@paulmoore3712]

You're absolutely right! And the unfortunate thing as that there is no one coming up to replace the likes of these guys.

[@amehdi13]

Paul Moore Late reply...but check out Andreas Varady. That's who's coming up to replace these guys :)

[@heavymental1456]

Lenny best jazz guitarist....unless, of course, you were around to have seen Wes Montgomery or Joe Pass. Fingerstyle guitarists will play more notes due to the style but the two I mention easily match LB for improvisational ability, sense of harmonics, embellishment of melody. Another cat who played differently than most and had incredible fretboard sensibility was Terry Kath. He was only 22 when Chicago played the Fillmore--same weekend as Woodstock--I was there.

[@chrisdick2305]

Kath was an incredible player. Died in such a silly way. At the level of player we are discussing the notion of better or worse just melts away. They are all otherwordly players. What bothers me as that LB's brilliance is far less well known and he should be routinely mentioned in the way JP and WM are as people who found new possibilities in their chosen instrument. I was watching the Breau documentary on KZbin and George Benson mentioned that in a conversation with Montgomery, Wes said, "Man, don't be listening to me, check out what this cat up in Canada is doing." The great players all know greatness. These best or not best cat fights are all reserved for lesser mortals like us.

[@fergusof]

Hear, hear! 'Cat fights' is correct!

[@bennyboyAF]

Just wow.

[@jared0111]

my god, that last pair of flourishes at 4:16. don't know what scale that last rise and fall was, but WOW. insanely complex call and response from the duo there....like django closing out a gorgeous jam with laurindo or baden powell

[@MrJbaker7]

Great stuff...Jack Baker NYC

[@jasonritchey9813]

love

[@areguapiri]

The Harlem Globetrotters!!!!

[@charlesduckettjr.800]

Chet Atkins "discovered" the wonderful peerless guitarist Lenny. Put him on the map with recording dates, gave his all to boost this genius. Let's give Chet some credit here. "I" am a guy who met Lenny personally, and heard him play many times. Lenny was a junkie & a garbagehead, everyone knows that. If you went to see him play a gig, best get there early. Later in the gig after breaks, he would get messed up & couldn't play well. That is the truth from my experience.

[@petermorrison7454]

Lenny playing a 7 string for extra bass ..brilliant

[@randybock82]

Dude!!!!

[@tonyfreeman1339]

All rise.

[@peeweesherman]

What I just saw reminds me of shades of Django Reinhardt.

[@ToddWCorey1]

8 billion guitar players say: "yeah, I could do that!" 8 billion are home with their instruments in their hands. NO ONE can touch Lenny!

[@AndrewHincksMusic]

Gees - I'd never say I could do that as I sit here with my guitar literally in my hands !

[@216trixie]

Lenny considered Chet his best friend. They were close all through the 70 's, to Lenny's death.

[@jcisbell]

It's amazing how much people can take for granted when it's happening right in front of them. Look at the poor quality of this recording (no disrespect to whoever provided it. At least THEY had foresight to save it) but just think about the fact that there WAS a pristine master recording, that, I don't know, got thrown away or re-used for an episode of Love Boat.

[@austinafrench]

jcisbell i feel that... but i wouldnt be bitter. Just be grateful for what we have and had! (Chet Lenny and great music!)

[@rarestuff87]

Yes, I wish we could get that tape in better quality. I'm sure it is in the TNN archive. They performed another song at this show.

[@m1t2a1]

He taught my brother how to play guitar.

[@aaronaragon7838]

How well does bro play today?

[@m1t2a1]

@@aaronaragon7838 Haven't heard him play for years, but he was OK. Still can't read music.

[@ryanlindauer9864]

Has anyone made a transcription of sheet music for this version? This is by far my favorite of this song.

[@sleeperburuk5340]

at the end the host lol'd hahahahahahaha because of lenny's harmonics

[@GerryCain]

Can it get any better than this?

[@theraj662]

Rolling Stone magazine once published a magazine listing the top 100 guitar players of all time in 2003. HOW THE HELL Lenny Breau was not on that list is a TESTAMENT to ignorance and showcases the true lack of any shred of musical expertise and knowledge by this so-called "Music" magazine. As far as I'm concerned, the list is short, only 3, Hendrix, Lenny tied for first, and coming in at #2 - everyone else.

[@NuclearEnergy1]

Absolutely correct! I played a 40s gig in Poland Spring Maine, 70s - 80s with his mother Betty Cote. On rare occasions he would play a couple songs. Lenny was on of the top 10 "players" in the world, always highly missed by the media. He was so complex a player, a normal personal couldn't understand what he was playing.

[@heavymental1456]

You're as foolish as the imbeciles making up Rolling Stone's list. To think you can narrow it to two guitarists with such disparate skills is astonishingly simple-minded.Too many genres to consider, playing styles, metrics. For instance: Hendrix could not play fingerstyle acoustic, slide, and had no where near the repertoire of some other guitarists, but he wrote his own material, which is noteworthy, something Lenny did not do. Lenny Breau was good at playing other folks' music (like Tommy Emmanuel) but seldom came up with an original song of his own. Re: Jimi, Terry Kath could do what Jimi could at a younger age and twice the tempo. And re: Chet Atkins: Lenny remarked on more than one occasion that the sheer number of songs Chet Atkins could masterfully play and tastefully embellish warrants merit--so this may be a criterion for you to consider. In jazz, Wes Montomery and;Joe Pass are at the same level as your hero, LB. If you bring in shredders who could play classical music at warp speed, Jason Becker would sweep the floor with these guys. These are some things to consider when proclaiming who is the "greatest"

[@felixlgq]

The list is mostly about rock music. There are a lot of country, jazz and others genres players out of it. It shouldn't be since the title is "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time", but sadly it's all about the hype.

[@woodbell67]

Yes Lenny wrote his own material.

[@daveciepiela641]

Very simple don't listen to this rag,wtf they know about this type of talent.Just stupid shit.There are several billions of people who have never been given the opportunity to listen or appreciate.

[@Jazzwayze]

I havve an audio recrding somewhere. Along with half a dozen other tracks. I bet I can't find them on my PC rubbish drive. I wish I could.

[@peskyfervid6515]

Lenny harmonized melody lines like no one else. Listen at 1:30 how he plays enharmonic tones which almost sound like they're off, but he leads them right back to the front door, so to speak, and carries on. It's like sour patch candy. Just adds a little tang.

[@The22on]

Wow. Chet is a monster, but Lenny takes him to school. I admire Chet but he's a couple of levels below Lenny. Hell, everyone is below Lenny. Danny Gatton always said Lenny was easily the best guitarist. That's coming from The Humbler himself! What a shame that both Danny and Lenny died before age 50. Genius carries risks, I guess.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

I don't necessarily believe Lenny took Chet to school, but Chet did say Lenny was the world's best.

[@ToddWCorey1]

I just inhale deeply and let them play...

[@sailin1934]

he was born in the u.s. somewhere in maine

[@mrgreensound]

seven string classical

[@mikeheaton8424]

100%

[@vox1003]

Only wish the quality was better

[@MrPeanutDojo]

George W. sure can play! jk Iove this so much.

[@BILLY-px3hw]

Lenny is being a bit of a bully towards Chet pushing him around a little for fun, Chet knows it and loves every minute of it, there were not many people who could go toe to toe with Chet and get the better of him, I think that is why Chet liked Lenny so much, he was a hell of a nice guy but he was a complete beast if he had a guitar in his hand.

[@shaiguitar]

Is there a transcription of Lenny's solo somewhere?

[@lw216316]

What guitars are they using?

[@pbyardh]

Lenny was a Mainer.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Django.

[@bohemian46]

No one, to include Chet or TE, approached Lenny Breau's skill and musicality. I would concede there are better "technicians" who get every note in the right place at the right time, but those folks are robots. Lenny is a musician. Note he is playing a Ramirez 1A.

[@mondayrose4169]

Who's the guy with Lenny?

[@fergusof]

Good one! :)

[@rockinredneck57]

Mr Guitar

[@daze023]

Was that Captain Kangaroo at the end there?

[@randallkennedy2589]

Nimble fingers

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

What I would like to know, is WHO strangled and killed Lenny ?

[@kennewman3716]

kenx♫ whimperer ~ kenxqed♫

[@rayray8687]

Sounds more like Grady Martin than Chet Atkins.

[@SuperMarioJamesSMJ]

Chet keeps his cool...Breau clearly outplays Chet..but the master is the master for a reason

[@jasman699]

QUALITY? Please clean out your ears now........ No offense, Cheers!

[@Guitar11player]

Just dont see whats so great about Lenny Breau. He cant seem to play anything but diminishes g5s and Jazz minors sharps and augumented 7ths . Hell man play a song like Chet can. You dont need all that B.S. mixed in.