All the comments here seem oddly out of touch with just how bad it would be to be Lenny's chidren or close family member. An exceptional talent that was exceptionally selfish. Cautionary tale.
You can't really expect extraordinary talents in a given field to be ordinary in all others. And maybe it was just the banality of 'ordinary' that caused Lenny to take drugs. Never having been a junkie - I blew a little weed in the 60's - I really can't say. It seems all truly great men have serious flaws of one kind and another... great men, great flaws.
I've always thought it was a live improvisation. It was titled "Indian Reflections for Ravi Shankar" on the set of tracks I heard it on. Whatever it may be, it is Lenny's East Indian side, which is very interesting and enjoyable.
Lenny did not die from a drug overdose. In fact, he was hardly using drugs at the time of his death. Read his biography. His wife (or someone) killed him
musicians are addicted to playing their instruments all the time. I think most have addictive personalities. once they get hooked, no dice. I know I do. no drugs yet thought and good thing.
I was referring to the apparent connection between musical genius and addiction. Yes, there are many who are not addicts, but a disturbing number of musical and artistic giants have had tremendous struggles with substance abuse.
I was not referring to whether or not it caused their deaths.
Lenny Breau had major depression problem because of his Dad and carrier. He was too far ahead of his time. Plus he was native. My point is people make too much out of addiction. He finally overcame it in the end. People still claim his death was drug related when it wasnt. Yes it is true he was a frail, addict but at least he overcame towards the end unlike Charlie Parker.
Sorry. You made a typo in your last post, writing "native" when you apparently meant "naive". That's what I was responding to. You're right, Lenny was quite naive.
But remember, it isn't the tragedy of his life that made him who he is--its the joyful part of his life--his music!
Both Parker and Breau were rare birds with parallel aptitude and comparable imperfections, so it is perfectly natural to compare them. Society does not reward genius; there is no reward for being ahead of your time. Generally only after youre dead does the real recognition come.
read the book One Long tune,,, his last wife killed him or had him killed. In fact the LA police only had one suspect.. his wife Jewel..... during the autopsy there was no water in the lungs at all so he was dead before they found him in the pool.. also there was a history of Lenny being beaten down by Jewel... slapped around in a club... black eyes etc... READ THE BOOK
@fnub That's the same tune that actually starts @ 4:32, right? Indian Reflections, is that the name? do you know off what album is that recording from? It's one amazingly haunting piece of music! thanks for these excerpts, I've always had many great guitar players say to me: You gotta check out Lenny Breau. Now i've got a good introduction to this fantastic guy, thanks again.
I have just discovered his name in an interview with martin taylor. whenever i hear something like this i am torn between dedicating every waking moment to playing OR just giving up. perfect art made by an imperfect man.
i miss him
4321luc 10 months ago
All the comments here seem oddly out of touch with just how bad it would be to be Lenny's chidren or close family member. An exceptional talent that was exceptionally selfish. Cautionary tale.
leoosiku 10 months ago
what song is at 4:38?
ellenwetmore 11 months ago
who knows? perhaps Lenny is blowing minds on some other planet now?
shetalkscrazytalk84 1 year ago
Anyone know where the audio comes from at 6:43 when lennys talking about drugs?
streetlightcollusion 1 year ago
Very, very calm and clear relections from Chet Atkins a true gentleman.
chaosIsTheOnlyPower 1 year ago
I guess I never thought I would ever hear a guitar sound like this...
Best, Sandemose
Sandemose 2 years ago 2
Jesus this guy was incredible improviser
blueturtleblues 2 years ago
You can't really expect extraordinary talents in a given field to be ordinary in all others. And maybe it was just the banality of 'ordinary' that caused Lenny to take drugs. Never having been a junkie - I blew a little weed in the 60's - I really can't say. It seems all truly great men have serious flaws of one kind and another... great men, great flaws.
zthetha 2 years ago 2
hahahahah you "blew some weed"
handdancin 2 years ago
Is it me or does that pic of him at 6:46 look like johhny depp?
pureluck101 2 years ago
Gee, I wonder who Chet Breau is named after?
greyhall1 2 years ago
What tune is playing at the 6:30 mark totally cool.
gummybear100 2 years ago
'Lenny's Ragadelic Dream' as far as I know... there's a version of it on the compilation 'Mosaic' but not sure this is the same one.
mark1800 2 years ago
I've always thought it was a live improvisation. It was titled "Indian Reflections for Ravi Shankar" on the set of tracks I heard it on. Whatever it may be, it is Lenny's East Indian side, which is very interesting and enjoyable.
mwljazzguitar 2 years ago
Such a fantastic talent. Too bad drugs takes so many away too soon...sigh
Tacomadome24 2 years ago
Lenny did not die from a drug overdose. In fact, he was hardly using drugs at the time of his death. Read his biography. His wife (or someone) killed him
westerisbester 2 years ago
That piece with Chet and Leona is beyond beautiful.
pekoe67 2 years ago
musicians are addicted to playing their instruments all the time. I think most have addictive personalities. once they get hooked, no dice. I know I do. no drugs yet thought and good thing.
junkyjuice21 2 years ago
damn straight, playing guitars the best feeling in the world
skint0n0minted 2 years ago
Lots of people have drug problems. Only one person could play like Lenny Breau. This is just bullshit.
bigboyo 3 years ago
Why is it that so many great musical minds are subject to addiction? So sad.
dragknuckle 3 years ago
he was off drugs when he died
SonicArchives 3 years ago
I was referring to the apparent connection between musical genius and addiction. Yes, there are many who are not addicts, but a disturbing number of musical and artistic giants have had tremendous struggles with substance abuse.
I was not referring to whether or not it caused their deaths.
dragknuckle 3 years ago 2
Lenny Breau had major depression problem because of his Dad and carrier. He was too far ahead of his time. Plus he was native. My point is people make too much out of addiction. He finally overcame it in the end. People still claim his death was drug related when it wasnt. Yes it is true he was a frail, addict but at least he overcame towards the end unlike Charlie Parker.
SonicArchives 3 years ago
Lenny Breau was not native!! Where on earth did you get that idea?!
The rest of your post is accurate though.
rolliegyrl2 3 years ago
The way he floated through life and just played guitar was very naïve
If it wasnt for Chet Atkins his life would have been even more tragic.
Even his drug use was naïve; he bought into the 60s LSD foolishness.
SonicArchives 3 years ago
Sorry. You made a typo in your last post, writing "native" when you apparently meant "naive". That's what I was responding to. You're right, Lenny was quite naive.
But remember, it isn't the tragedy of his life that made him who he is--its the joyful part of his life--his music!
rolliegyrl2 3 years ago
How about we not bring Charlie Parker or anyone else into this. We all know Lenny was the premier, thats enough.
ballryan76 2 years ago
Both Parker and Breau were rare birds with parallel aptitude and comparable imperfections, so it is perfectly natural to compare them. Society does not reward genius; there is no reward for being ahead of your time. Generally only after youre dead does the real recognition come.
SonicArchives 2 years ago 8
read the book One Long tune,,, his last wife killed him or had him killed. In fact the LA police only had one suspect.. his wife Jewel..... during the autopsy there was no water in the lungs at all so he was dead before they found him in the pool.. also there was a history of Lenny being beaten down by Jewel... slapped around in a club... black eyes etc... READ THE BOOK
gtrplyr013 2 years ago
I've read it and already know this
SonicArchives 2 years ago
omg soundgasm
prasiddha 3 years ago
What's that playing starting at 6:23?
keyehaw 3 years ago
Thats "Indian Reflections" from Live at Shelly's Manhole. Also known as "The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau"
jasman699 3 years ago
Indian Reflections
fnub 3 years ago
@fnub That's the same tune that actually starts @ 4:32, right? Indian Reflections, is that the name? do you know off what album is that recording from? It's one amazingly haunting piece of music! thanks for these excerpts, I've always had many great guitar players say to me: You gotta check out Lenny Breau. Now i've got a good introduction to this fantastic guy, thanks again.
egyptianminor 11 months ago
my brother h a different mother than me but the same father and lenny breau is his grand father
ranamhater 3 years ago
I have just discovered his name in an interview with martin taylor. whenever i hear something like this i am torn between dedicating every waking moment to playing OR just giving up. perfect art made by an imperfect man.
deefjohnholler 3 years ago 10
@deefjohnholler Man I KNOW what you mean about wanting to give up! When you watch someone like Lenny.
If you are under 20 - keep playing because you have a few years to catch up.
If you are between 20 and 30 and have no kids - give up.
If you are older and have kids, keep playing because you will be able to show your kids enough to get them started.
Don't know if that helps.
chaosIsTheOnlyPower 1 year ago
Thanks so much for posting this. Where can I get the whole film?
boneyt66 3 years ago
tremendous.
skinstretcher 3 years ago 2