Swingin' on a Seven String

by Scott YanowIn 1982 the great guitarist Lenny Breau decided to combine a couple of his strongest musical loves, recording country songs with jazz chords in a swinging setting. Half of the music on this set is comprised of duets with bassist Jim Ferguson, while the remainder is played in a quartet with Ferguson, steel guitarist Buddy Emmons and drummer Kenny Malone. It has long been an open secret that many country standards have fairly simple chord changes that are ideal for jamming. Breau, who splits his time between an acoustic seven-string guitar and a regular electric guitar (and takes a completely spontaneous off-mic vocal on "Bonaparte's Retreat"), is in exuberant form throughout this laid-back but happy release. But because jazz/country fusions were not exactly in vogue in 1982, this date was only released very briefly by the tiny Tudor label before the company failed and the record went out of print. Lenny Breau was killed in 1984 and this was his last studio album. It is a long-overdue joy to have this highly enjoyable music available again, and it is highly recommended to anyone at all interested in Lenny Breau's artistry.