| The Hallmark Sessions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 18, 2003 | |||
| Recorded | November 28, 1961 | |||
| Studio | Hallmark Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Art of Life | |||
| Producer | Paul Kohler (Reissue) | |||
| Lenny Breau chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Hallmark Sessions is an album by the Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 2003. [1]
In his first professional solo recording session, Breau recorded these tracks in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when he was 20 years old. His former manager kept the original tapes for over 40 years before they were re-discovered. Seven of the tracks include Rick Danko and Levon Helm as the rhythm section.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz | (favorable) [2] |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [3] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [4] |
Elliott Simon, in his All About Jazz review, wrote, "The sound quality, aside from a few minor rough spots, is excellent and the six re-presented stereo versions of the trio pieces sparkle. Breau in a word is awesome and to think that his playing was this developed at such a young age is mind boggling." [2]
Writing for AllMusic, the critic Scott Yanow gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Hallmark Sessions is an extraordinary release... Breau plays beautiful chords (sounding a little like Johnny Smith in spots) and inventive single-note lines. It is remarkable that this music was not released until 2003, but a happy event that it was finally put out. This is a must for Breau fans and an important release for all jazz guitar lovers." [1]
Mark Miller of The Globe and Mail stated that the recordings are "far more than merely formative performances," and remarked: "The guitarist is immediately identifiable by his touch and technique -- a diamond in the rough, perhaps, but recognizably a diamond all the same." [5]
In a review for Mint Lounge , Sanjoy Narayan noted that, although the music is "spare," "it shows how effortlessly elegant the young jazz guitarist already was... Breau's style is clean, clear, oozing with talent. It's difficult not to fall for The Hallmark Sessions when you first listen to it." [6]
Russell Carlson of JazzTimes commented: "Breau was a seriously singular guitarist, the kind that can make other, insecure guitarists jealous as all hell... His improvisations were pieces of outside-the-box magic that mixed elements of jazz, country, rock and classical music that, amazingly, didn’t sound contrived." [7]
Writing credits as shown on record label.
Production notes:
Richard Clare Danko was a Canadian musician, bassist, songwriter, and singer, best known as a founding member of The Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm was an American musician who achieved fame as the drummer and one of the three lead vocalists for The Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Helm was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, multi-instrumental ability, and creative drumming style, highlighted on many of the Band's recordings, such as "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek", and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down".
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.
Daniel Wood Gatton Jr. was an American virtuoso guitarist who combined blues, rockabilly, jazz, and country to create a musical style he called "redneck jazz".
Fitzgerald and Pass...Again is a 1976 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by jazz guitarist Joe Pass, the second of four duet albums they recorded together after Take Love Easy (1973).
The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau – Live! is a live album by Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 1969.
Virtuoso No. 4 is an album by jazz guitarist Joe Pass that was recorded in 1973 and released in 1983.
Five O'Clock Bells is a studio album by Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 1979.
Mo' Breau is an album by Canadian jazz guitarist Lenny Breau that was released in 1981.
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.
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.
Remembering is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1961 but not released until 1980 on the Japanese Blue Note label. Green is supported by bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Al Harewood. The US CD reissue was released in 1998 and included an alternate take and an additional track recorded at the same sessions.
Jazz Contrasts is an album by American jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham, recorded in 1957 and released on the Riverside label.
Kessel Plays Standards is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel released on the Contemporary label and featuring eight tracks originally released on the Barney Kessel Volume 2 10-inch album which were recorded at sessions in 1954 along with an additional four tracks from 1955.
Songs for Hip Lovers is a 1957 vocal album by the jazz bandleader Woody Herman, arranged by Marty Paich.
Dan Doyle is an American record producer.
