Search - Lenny Breau :: The Hallmark Sessions

My thoughts on Lenny Breau

B. J Robbins | 09/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Hallmark Sessions" were recorded on November 28, 1961. Lenny, Rick Danko and Levon Helm recorded the seven Jazz numbers in stereo. Lenny then recorded the two Country & Western numbers and the four Flamenco numbers in mono. What was astounding to the recording engineers, and to everyone present, was that Lenny played the entire Jazz session without any rehearsal or interruption. After a short coffee break, Lenny played the Country & Western numbers, changed guitars, and played the four Flamenco numbers - again, without rehearsal or interruption. What has been produced on this CD, is in my estimation, the purest and finest work that Lenny ever performed or recorded. - George B. Sukornyk"

Technique to Burn and Even Some Taste From a 20-Something!

Drew A. G. Engman | Pinon Hills, CA USA | 04/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't heard "Boy Wonder" yet, Lenny's little precocious guitar kid album, because I love the later, more introspective and deeply touching music from Lenny, after the years of pain from his addictions, and the bad choices they cause us who were/are addicts to make, scarred and sensitized him with their sorrows. So I was a little reluctant, but I bought this CD because I had to check Lenny out as a 20 year old cutting his first official jazz album, with Rick Danko and Levon Helm no less! Absolutely fantastic use of his great prodigal prowess on guitar. It is hard to believe he had only been listening to jazz for a relatively short time, and beginning to practice and learning to play it for even less time. He sounds so fully developed, with of many of the licks and techniques down that dozens of world class oldtime jazz guitar players made entire careers out of. I hear Barney Kessel in many of the up tempo single note cascades. I hear some Joe Pass in the trio stuff, when he's mixing the chordal passages with single note cadenza-like outbursts of sheer enthusiastic shredding. My only criticism is he is hung up on using one too many pull-offs (from pinky down to index with left hand on a single string)in one too many places. Overall, another exhilarating, exciting, rewarding addition to the best of the best of chordal jazz guitar collections possible, by a young master high up on his game, with unimaginable peaks and valleys to come."

Diamond in the "Rough"

B. J Robbins | La Quinta, CA United States | 09/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who had been playing guitar for 40+ years would love to be able to play like Lenny does on this album. Coming from a 20 year old, it is simply unbelievable, unless of course, the individual is Lenny Breau, perhaps the greatest guitar genius of his time (or any other). His greatest years were ahead of him, starting with "The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau", but these sessions give us a rare preview of his potential. Jazz, his main love, is primarily featured, but his skill at playing Travis-style picking, which he did so well, as well as flamenco-inspired playing, made him unique as a guitarist. Only Danny Gatton mastered as many styles. Lenny is always a delight to listen to and we should be grateful for every new batch of recordings uncovered. Lenny rules !!!!"