category: instrumental jazz / country / latin

Album review:
"The Hallmark Sessions", recorded at Hallmark Studios in Toronto, Canada on November 28, 1961, was when Lenny Breau was only twenty years old. This is Lenny's first professionally recorded Jazz session and, until now, has never been released. The original analog reel-to-reel master tapes have been in the possession of Lenny's former manager, George B. Sukornyk, for over forty years.

In addition to several Jazz standards such as: "It Could Happen To You" and "I'll Remember April", Lenny also performs several solo flamenco and country & western pieces, as well as four previously unheard original compositions. Lenny recorded seven tracks with acoustic bassist Rick Danko and drummer Levon Helm, both former members of the group The Band, as well as six solo guitar pieces at Hallmark Studios. In addition to the trio and solo tracks, there are also six bonus tracks that contain the stereo versions of the trio pieces. All tracks have been professionally mastered using 24-bit digital technology.

CD Track Listing

1.   It Could Happen To You (Burke / Van Heusen; arr. L.Breau) (5:38)
2.   Oscar's Blues (Lenny Breau) (3:34)
3.   I'll Remember April (Raye / De Paul / Johnston; arr. L.Breau) (4:20)
4.   Undecided (Shavers / Robin; arr. L.Breau) (3:29)
5.   My Old Flame (Coslow / Johnston; arr. L.Breau) (5:24)
6.   'D' Minor Blues (Lenny Breau) (5:05)
7.   'R' Tune (Lenny Breau) (3:16)
8.   Lenny's Western Blues (Lenny Breau) (2:28)
9.   Cannonball Rag (Merle Travis) (2:08)
10. Solea (trad. arr. L.Breau) (3:56)
11. Taranta (trad. arr. L.Breau) (3:54)
12. Arabian Fantasy (Sabicas) (2:46)
13. Brazilian Love Song (Batucada) (Luiz Bonfa) (2:03)
14. Oscar's Blues (Lenny Breau) * (3:34)
15. I'll Remember April (Raye / De Paul / Johnston; arr. L.Breau) * (4:20)
16. Undecided (Shavers / Robin; arr. L.Breau) * (3:30)
17. My Old Flame (Coslow / Johnston; arr. L.Breau) * (5:24)
18. 'D' Minor Blues (Lenny Breau) * (5:03)
19. 'R' Tune (Lenny Breau) * (3:17)

  * Bonus tracks ~ stereo version

Total timing: 74:39

Label/No: Art of Life Records 1007-2

Release date: 2003 reissue