| At the Purple Onion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by Don Francks, Lenny Breau, Eon Henstridge | ||||
| Released | November 16, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | August 1962 at the | |||
| Venue | Purple Onion, Toronto, Ontario Canada | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 68:00 | |||
| Label | Art of Life | |||
| Producer | Paul Kohler | |||
| Don Francks chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Lenny Breau chronology | ||||
| ||||
At the Purple Onion is a live album by Don Francks,Lenny Breau,and Eon Henstridge that was recorded in 1962 and released in 2004. They performed as a trio called Three.
Breau's former manager kept the original tapes of this live performance for over 40 years before they were re-discovered. It features Breau,Francks,and Henstridge with Joey Hollingsworth —one vocal and also tap dancing —performing at the Purple Onion club in Toronto,Ontario,Canada. Liner notes and commentary by Francks,Hollingsworth,George B. Sukornyk and Ron Forbes-Roberts are also included. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [2] |
| JazzTimes | (equivocal) [3] |
Allmusic critic Ken Dryden notes that while "fans of Lenny Breau are likely to be interested in all of his previously unreleased recordings,the focus is primarily on Francks...some listeners may feel a bit overwhelmed by the emphasis on Francks' comedic vocals and narratives." [2]
JazzTimes critic Russell Carlson writes that Breau's "comping hangs in the background on this less-than-even recording. But when Breau gets space to himself,he uses it like a Breau fan wants him to... Serious Breau collectors and fans of wacky jazz theater (do any exist?) will invest wisely in this;those uninitiated in Breau's artistry should turn to Art of Life's previous The Hallmark Sessions." [3]
Production notes:
Leonard Harold Breau was an American-Canadian guitarist. He blended many styles of music,including jazz,country,classical,and flamenco. Inspired by country guitarists like Chet Atkins,Breau used fingerstyle techniques not often used in jazz guitar. By using a seven-string guitar and approaching the guitar like a piano,he opened up possibilities for the instrument.
Don Harvey Francks,also known by his stage name Iron Buffalo,was a Canadian actor,musician and singer.
Chance Meeting is an album by jazz guitarists Tal Farlow and Lenny Breau that was released in 1997.
Danny's Song is the seventh studio album by Canadian country pop artist Anne Murray,released in 1973 via Capitol Records. It was produced and arranged by Brian Ahern for Happy Sack Productions. Tracks 6–10 were recorded live at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa,Ontario. The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 39 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.
Songs for Ellen is an album by jazz guitarist Joe Pass that was recorded in 1992 and released posthumously in 1994.
The Way I Really Play is a 1968 album by jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. It is the third part of Peterson's Exclusively for My Friends series.
Minors Aloud is an album by American pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons and Canadian guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 1978.
Boy Wonder is a studio album by jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was recorded in 1956 and released in 1998. The session was engineered and produced by Al Hawkes of Event Records.
When Lightn' Strikes is an album by Canadian guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 1982. It was remastered and reissued in 2005 by Art of Life Records as Swingin' on a Seven-String.
Live at Bourbon St. is a live album by guitarist Lenny Breau and bassist Dave Young that was released in 1995. It was nominated for a 1997 Juno Award in the category of Best Mainstream Jazz Album.
The Living Room Tapes,Vol. 1 is an album by Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau and clarinetist Brad Terry that was released in 1986.
The Living Room Tapes,Volume 2 is an album by Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau and clarinetist Brad Terry that was released in 1990.
The Complete Living Room Tapes is a compilation album by Canadian guitarist Lenny Breau and clarinetist Brad Terry that was released in 2003.
Cabin Fever is an album by Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 1997.
The Hallmark Sessions is an album by the Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 2003.
The Classic Concert Live is a live album by Mel Tormé,Gerry Mulligan,and George Shearing,recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1982 and released in 2005.
Satchmo in Style is a 1959 studio album by Louis Armstrong,arranged by Gordon Jenkins.
"The Gentle Rain" is a 1965 bossa nova composition by Luiz Bonfá,with lyrics by Matt Dubey. Originally written in A minor key and 4/4 time,this song was first released as part of the motion picture soundtrack of the 1966 film The Gentle Rain of the North-American director Burt Balaban. The music of the film was a collaboration of Luiz Bonfáas a composer and Eumir Deodato as orchestra arranger and director.
Something for You:Eliane Elias Sings &Plays Bill Evans is the eighteenth studio album by Brazilian jazz artist Eliane Elias. It was released on 15 January 2008 via Blue Note label.
Joey Hollingsworth is a Black Canadian tap dancer,singer,and conga player who has performed on stage and screen throughout the world. He appeared regularly on Canadian television shows from the 1950s through the 1970s.
