category: instrumental jazz / country / pop

Album review:
"Swingin' on a Seven-String" was recorded on August 12th & 25th in 1982 and originally released in 1984 as "When Lightin' Strikes" on LP. In addition to being the last studio album that Lenny Breau recorded before his untimely death in 1984, "Swingin' on a Seven-String" also remains as the only studio recordings of his seven-string acoustic guitar playing. In addition to the five tracks featuring Lenny and acoustic bassist Jim Ferguson performing duets, Lenny is joined by pedal steel guitar legend Buddy Emmons and drummer Kenny Malone on the remaining quartet tracks.

Eight of the eleven tracks feature Lenny on seven-string acoustic guitar, while the other three tracks feature Lenny on six-string electric guitar. All tracks have been digitally remastered from the original analog master tapes using 24-bit digital technology. The CD also features one previously unreleased bonus track, "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain". The 12-page booklet includes extensive liner notes! by author Ron Forbes-Roberts as well as commentary from Buddy Emmons and Jim Ferguson.

CD Track Listing

  1. Back In Indiana (Hanley / MacDonald; arr. L.Breau) (3:56)
  2. You Needed Me (Randy Goodrum; arr. L.Breau) (3:20)   3. Bonaparte's Retreat (King / Stewart; arr. L.Breau) (2:58)
  4. I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You (Hank Williams; arr. L.Breau) (3:32)
  5. I Love You Because (Leon Payne; arr. L.Breau) (4:11)
  6. Please Release Me (Horton / Peck; arr. L.Breau) (4:26)
  7. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe; arr. L.Breau) (2:13)
  8. She Thinks I Still Care (Dickey Lee; arr. L.Breau) (4:18)
  9. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (Hank Williams; arr. L.Breau) (4:20)
10. Anytime (Herbert Lawson; arr. L.Breau) (3:42)
11. Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain (Fred Rose; arr. L.Breau) * (3:17)

  * Bonus track ~ previously unreleased

Total timing: 40:59

Label/No: Art of Life Records 1013-2

Release date: (c)1984, 2005 reissue