Lenny Breau's brother Denny...

[Norm]

The Breau/Emmons CD is here

http://www.artofliferecords.com/minorsaloud.html

[rhirvine]

From one time to the next I can't figure out how to place an original post to this great site. I'm watching a seven part youtube video on Lenny Breau and am loving it. I got to shake his hand when he first came to LA at some malibu jazz room (where I also got to see Joe Pass). He was very good and sharp that night. Several years later I saw him at Donte's Inferno and he was great. But the next time at Donte's inferno he stunk because he was obviously high on something. It was disappointing for me and my wife. I can understand where why people in the video said that he was not very good when he was high. In my own case, when I'm drinking alcohol, I can't play for crap or at least to my normal level which is far short of my guitar heroes like Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Lenny Breau etc. My main point is I doubt anyone can play their best when they are high one something. Lenny Breau sure couldn't and neither can I. Thanks for reading my post.
Rich Irvine

[RandeDager]

Rich, when it comes to anything complex, I'll have to agree. The fact that some of the rock guitarists seem to be able to play anyway when they're high says something to me about the difference in the level of difficulty!

[Norm]

Lenny, unfortunately, spent a lot of time on Heroin which is said to be a very demanding addiction. It was unfortunately very common among jazz musicians.

Not that the country boys were saints. Way too many of them were into booze and pills.

John Lee Hooker lived not too far from my town here in CA. When he used to stop in at the saloon I once managed (to support some local blues band) he would order a beer but only take a sip or two. He was pretty well off and he said it was because he saw what booze and drugs did to his peers and stayed off the stuff.

[George Beasley]

Stephen Anderson said in his book that Lenny's biggest problem was booze. When he couldn't get opiates...which, as an addict, he required just to be "normal".,, he drank.....which he could not handle.