Lenny Breau on Nylon String with Bassist Don Thompson: Toronto 1981/ Don T discusses Lenny's Music

In April of 1981, Lenny Breau managed to clear up legal and tax problems in Canada and was able to perform in his adopted country for the first time in five years. He was booked to play a two week gig at the Toronto jazz club Bourbon Street running from March 30th to April 14th.
Bassist Don Thompson and drummer Claude Ranger were hired to play with Lenny. Both men had played on his Direct to Disc album 'The Lenny Breau Trio' recorded in Nashville a year earlier and were colleagues and band mates of his when he lived and performed regularly in Toronto in the 1960s and early 1970s. However, Lenny felt that Ranger was not a good fit with his music at Bourbon Street and let him go after two or three nights. Drummer Terry Clarke was hired to take his place but Don and Lenny played as a duo for at least one night (probably April 3rd) before Clarke joined them for the remainder of the gig.
That night, Lenny played the first half of each of his two sets solo on his classical seven-string guitar and was then joined by Thompson. The recording here was made in the later half of the second set. (The first half of this set in which Lenny played solo on his classical guitar is already posted in the Lenny Breau Archives)
An excerpt from an interview with Don Thompson precedes the recording of the performance. This interview was conducted in Toronto in July of 2000 and in the portion included here, Don talks about his initial musical meeting with Lenny, the depth of Lenny's harmonic concepts and his ability to quiet a noisy crowd with his music.
1. Excerpt from Don Thompson Interview
2. I Fall in Love to Easily 03:45
3. My Funny Valentine 12:30
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[@Joshualbm]

With all of the artistry, technical polish and intricacy of Lenny's playing, he always reached for something almost unreachable yet landed on his feet with something completely original and beautiful. But man, in this recording he just kills it. This is about the finest work I've ever heard from him. Don's playing is fantastic too. He's the perfect partner here with his gorgeous, swinging feel and impeccable technique. Bravo.

[@thelennybreauarchives5675]

Strongly agree with you on all counts.

[@Wyblist1]

Lenny was on fire that night!

[@richardgullison9980]

brilliant!!

[@jimkangas4176]

So good. As a Lenny-phile, he was definitely on his game in this gig! Thanks!

[@vintagebikes4215]

I subscribed. For, I know Lenny was tops...above all others. Musicality, control of instrument, chordal magic.

[@leswhitetrash697]

i'm pretty sure this is Lenny's 7-string Aria Classical, with the High A being 20 lb-test fishing line. Innovation from the Cosmos....

[@thelennybreauarchives5675]

This is definitely Lenny's 7 string. A few weeks ago we posted the earlier part of this set in which Lenny plays solo and he talks about this guitar. Check it out
ruclips.net/video/EcZ16mg_wss/видео.html

[@leswhitetrash697]

@@thelennybreauarchives5675 Thanks so much! Only Lenny would think of using a HIGH A string (instead of Low A) for the 7th string. And the only thing he could find that would tune up to Pitch was FISHING LINE (20 lb-test)... Indeed, he was a Magical Gift to all.

[@jerryrobertsguitars]

Brandname on Lenny’s first was not aria but Dauphin. Really the same as the aria except for some minor mods done by me. He did indeed use fishing line for the high a first string. It was dupont stren 25# test. I supplied both the strings and that guitar to Lenny. Later on kirk sand made some furthr improvements in the action.

[@guitarlots]

Agreed, those are very high-pitched melody lines and he would have been off the fret board . Must be the seven string for sure

[@tonyfreeman1339]

Still admired in Auburn Maine.

[@babalonworking6]

I agree with Jim that harmony was Lenny's strongest point. I think he excelled in all areas of music but he's harmonic sense is on ANOTHER LEVEL!

[@arataka57]

For me he was brilliant on both: melody and harmony

[@guitarlots]

Always a special gift when hearing Lenny. Was he using the nylon seven string?

[@TheRealRoch108]

epic

[@breakfastberrito8990]

beautiful

[@user-vz7xf5vf6j]

You said it all… I’ve been smitten since 1974 and I still miss him.
I was in a car returning from Glastonbury 1984 when heard the sad news of his death… thank you Lenny you beautiful man.

[@frankdavino7187]

Scary to listen...sounds like someone from another planet trying to adapt himself at a lower level