The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau – Live!

History

After Breau's major-label debut, Guitar Sounds From Lenny Breau was issued the previous year on RCA, producer Chet Atkins arranged for this live recording in Los Angeles. Session bassist Carol Kaye was in the audience and stated in an interview:

The tapes from the three-night engagement were taken back to Nashville where Atkins, Danny Davis and Ronnie Light prepared them for release.

Despite the enthusiasm for the live show, the album sold poorly and was barely mentioned in the music press at the time. Breau was later quoted as saying, "When I initially recorded, I didn't feel ready—I wanted to practice for another 10 years first." He also felt RCA did not sufficiently promote the release. It was 10 years before Breau released another solo album.

The Velvet Touch was re-released on CD by One Way Records in 1994. It is currently out of print.

Reception

Music critic Paul Kohler of Allmusic wrote "His ability to play chords, melody, and a bassline simultaneously has to be heard to be believed."

Track listing

1. "Tuning Time" (Lenny Breau) – 1:49
2. "No Greater Love" (Isham Jones, Marty Symes) – 6:37
3. "The Claw" (Jerry Reed Hubbard) – 4:23
4. "Indian Reflections for Ravi" (Breau) – 3:12
5. "That's All" (Bob Haymes, Alan Brandt) – 5:42
6. "Blues Theme" – 1:01
7. "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (Watson, Joe Zawinul) – 5:30
8. "Spanjazz" (Breau) – 5:19
9. "Bluesette" – 6:00
10. "A Taste of Honey" (Ric Marlow, Bobby Scott) – 4:43
11. "Blues Theme, No. 2" – 2:40

Personnel