One Long Tune: The Life and Music of Lenny Breau

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University of North Texas Press, 2006 - Biography & Autobiography - 344 pages
Chet Atkins called Lenny Breau (1941-1984) "the greatest guitarist who ever walked the face of the earth." Breau's astonishing virtuosity influenced countless performers, but unfortunately it came at the expense of his personal relationships. Forbes-Roberts analyzes Breau and his recordings to reveal an enormously gifted man and the inner workings of his music. "[A] thorough and fascinating biography, which includes a discography and analysis of Breau's recordings."-Toronto Globe and Mail "Forbes-Roberts does a credible job of depicting the variables that fostered Breau's total devotion to his instrument and subsequent descent into heroin addiction. Where Forbes-Roberts does his best work though, is in his technical explanations of Breau's unique guitar system and his comprehensive critical analyses of the artist's recording sessions."-All About Jazz "Forbes-Roberts walks the line between adulation and research, music nerd and general interest reporter, with aplomb, and most importantly delivers a very readable account of a personality most readers should find endearing (if heartbreaking), even if they'd never previously heard of Breau."-Boston Phoenix "The author has delivered a comprehensive, well-written book that evokes both sympathy and admiration for [Breau], with painstaking documentation of his technical approach."-The Toronto Star About the Author: RON FORBES-ROBERTS is an award-winning journalist and a contributing editor to Acoustic Guitar Magazine. He is a career musician with a degree in classical guitar and lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. GENE LEES's many important books on jazz include Cats of Any Color: Jazz Black and White.

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Selected pages

Contents

Introduction
2
ca 1916October 1948
5
December 1957April 1960
30
April 1960May 1962
45
November 1961May 1963
68
June 1963December 1967
92
Photo Section
121
January 1968September 1972
122
May 1980November 1983
227
November 1983August 1984
258
Epilogue
272
List of Quoted Interviews Conducted by Author
274
Discography
277
Notes
297
Bibliography
303
Index
307

December 1972July 1976
166
July 1976May 1980
185

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About the author (2006)

Ron Forbes-Roberts is an award-winning journalist and a contributing editor to Acoustic Guitar Magazine. He is a career musician with a degree in classical guitar and lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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