Visions
A personal tribute to
jazz guitarist
Lenny
Breau
by
Stephen D.
Anderson
with
Ronald Cid
Acoustic Guitar magazine | August:
Visions: A Personal Tribute to Lenny Breau
Guitarist Stephen D. Anderson was a close personal musical friend of late jazz fingerstyle guitarist Lenny Breau,
and his insight into Breau's style is the result of firsthand exposure to his music. Virtually every aspect of Breau's playing
is analyzed and and well-presented in this book: two-note comping, harmonics, quartal harmony, three-against-two rhythms,
and more. The examples that illustrate these techniques are challenging but at the same time concise and practical. The book
also includes an informative and moving interview with Anderson by Ron Cid. Intermediate/advanced guitarists with a basic grasp of
jazz theory will benefit most from this in-depth exploration of Breau's singular musical vision.
-Ron Forbes-Roberts
Well it's finally
finished...after over a year of work, the book is now complete and ready for
sale.
The book is divided
into 5 chapters ( 'Comping chords', 'Harmonics', 'Quartal harmony', 'Three
Against Two' and a special chapter called 'Dig This....'
123 pages of
examples, pictures, special insights, information,
and also a terrific
resource for any fingerstyle jazz player.
Each
chapter reveals techniques
in such depth and
insight, the clear and
precise explanations
of harmony, technique, comping chords,
all add up to an
inspired and creative new approach to
learning the Lenny
Breau technique
For further
information please e-mail
Ronald
Cid
at
ronaldcid@videotron.ca
Visions - A personal tribute to jazz guitarist, Lenny Breau
$29.99 (U.S. Dollars)
Plus $10.00 S&H (U.S. Dollars)
Plus 10 additional free tunes perfectly transcribed ("Ba Di Da Da", "Tenderly", "Polka Dots and Moonbeams","I'll Remember April" "I can't Help it", "Batacuda", "Ebony Queen", "Taking a chance on Love", "Nardis" and "Visions") sent via an e-mail message upon acceptance of your order.
Click here to download a MP3 excerpt of example 17 on page 20 played by Stephen Anderson.
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Click Here to read what Just Jazz Guitars' Josh Gordon had to say about this great tribute to Lenny Breau
 Free Downloads of Lenny Breau Transcriptions
 DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES
(as played on the 5 O'clock Bells album)
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR
CASCADE
(Duet with Chet Atkins from the "Standard Brands" album)
CATTLE CALL
(Duet with Chet Atkins "Standard Brands" album)
MUSIC TO WATCH GIRLS BY
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
GOING HOME
(Duet with Chet Atkins from the "Standard Brands") album
SOMEBODY'S KNOCKING
(Duet with Chet Atkins from the "Standard Brands") album
October 8, 2006
Now available from Art of Life Records!!
To order this CD or MP3 Digital Downloads online via a secure server or to hear sound clips, please click on the image below.
To listen to and purchase MP3 digital downloads of tracks from Stephen D. Anderson's-"Remembering the Rain: The Music of Bill Evans" recording on Art of Life Records, please click on the link below:
Click here to purchase MP3 Digital Downloads of Stephen D. Anderson's-"Remembering the Rain: The Music of Bill Evans" on Art of Life Records.
Art of Life Records is proud to present guitarist Stephen D. Anderson's recording debut. More than two years in the
making, Stephen has created a sonic masterpiece with his unique solo guitar arrangements of Bill Evans' compositions. Stephen doesn't simply underpin the melodies
of Evans's pieces with stock Jazz guitar chords on his way to improvising over their structures. Rather, he initially treats the forms of these compositions much the same way
a Classical guitarist would approach the keyboard works of Bach or Albeniz: arranging them for his instrument while preserving as much as possible their
original compositional integrity and unique character. After uncannily replicating the chord voicings, counterpoint and voice leading of Evans's original scores,
Stephen returns to them as an improviser, basing his airy, lyrical inventions on the pieces' harmonic and melodic construction and seamlessly shifting their tempo,
feel and mood just as Evans did.
There's another significant presence drifting through the music on "Remembering the Rain". Stephen's old friend, the late Lenny Breau, was the first to capture
Evans's musical ideas on guitar and in the process created a whole battery of innovative guitar techniques. Stephen makes use of some of these innovations in his own
playing, particularly Lenny's simultaneous chord/melody technique in which two and three note, rhythmically independent chords support the melodic line. It's easy to
imagine how delighted Lenny would have been to hear Stephen apply this device so beautifully and successfully to interpreting the music of the man who inspired the
technique.
But influences and inspiration aside, Stephen's deft playing and creative vision are the core of this CD, along with - of course - Bill Evans's timeless compositions.
In tandem, these attributes make "Remembering the Rain" both a stunning solo guitar album and a stirring, heartfelt tribute to one of the greatest masters of 20th
century music.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using 24-bit digital technology.
To order this CD or MP3 Digital Downloads online via a secure server or to hear sound clips, please click on the image above.
Liner Notes from "Remembering the Rain: The Music of Bill Evans"
Since my first encounter with his music, Bill Evans has been a source of inspiration and an artist of immeasurable influence. My own experience with his work has grown more personal through the years, kindling a desire to explore the music on a deeper level. This project is the fruit of that effort.
Above all, I sought to convey the spirit of the music and contribute something original. But I also wanted to pay homage to the composer and his legacy. So, while I followed my own path and direction, I made an effort to explore some of the music's history.
Solo performance involves a unique range of dynamics. The aspect of time is fully at the discretion of the soloist, which offers wonderful creative freedom but requires intuition and discipline. The same can be said for the tonal possibilities. In addition to greater harmonic freedom, one has the opportunity to shape the music in ways that are not available in an ensemble setting. I become most involved when I'm able to engage these elements, exploring nuance of tone, color, balance, etc. For me, these are the real attractions and rewards of solo performance.
I have selected songs that have special meaning for me, all of which were written by Evans with the exception of "Haunted Heart". His recording of this somewhat obscure song made an impression on me early on so I wanted to include it. Among his compositions, "Peace Piece" is unique. I have chosen a different approach for this piece, as well as for "Turn Out the Stars". Both arrangements employ three guitar voices/tracks in counterpoint, which I overdubbed for the recordings, a technique that Evans explored as well. My selection of "Peace Piece" was also influenced by current events and the conflict that we, in our folly, seem determined to unleash upon a world ever at odds with the concept of peace.
I wish to express my appreciation for the support of Art of Life Records during the course of this project, for friends past and present…. and especially for the music of Bill Evans.
Stephen D. Anderson
S. D. Anderson : Bio
Visions author Stephen D. Anderson began performng at age four, playing piano and singing in recitals. The guitar became a life-long passion
around the age of eight and he began playing professionally at age thirteen, thus beginning a journey that has taken him on many roads.
Meeting Lenny Breau was a most important milestone for Anderson. A close friend and mentor for many years, Lenny greatly influenced
Stephen's approach to the guitar. But Anderson's personal vision has taken him far beyond mere emulation, forging one of the most original voices
and approaches of any guitarist playing today.
During the Eighties, Anderson was a CBS recording artist (CBS Holland) with releases in Europe. Throughout his long career he has lived
and played in many diverse locations: New York City, San Francisco, Brussels, Nashville, etc. Stephen's steadfast refusal to compromise
has made commercial success somewhat elusive but has helped distinguish him as one of our most compelling and inspired artists:
composer, instrumentalist and vocalist.
Currently living in Nashville, Anderson has continues to travel and perform, exploring new compositions, jazz standards and originals.
Several new projects and recordings are available and in progress.
To listen to and purchase MP3 Digital Downloads of tracks from Stephen D. Anderson's-"Essence" recording on Art of Life Records, please click on the link below:
Click here to purchase MP3 Digital Downloads of Stephen D. Anderson's-"Essence" on Art of Life Records.
"Anderson's choice of music for this CD is as refreshing and unique as his approach to the guitar. The songs include an original composition titled 'Melody's Lullaby', a lovely, wistful waltz that Anderson wrote for Melody Breau (Lenny's daughter). These interpretations possess those elusive qualities that make solo performance so compelling. Anderson's technique is formidable, but the focus here is on his unique harmonic and melodic sense, the delicate touch and pure tone... and on the songs, which Anderson cuts and shapes like fine gems... essence!"
-J. M. Macapa
Songs included:
Who Can I Turn To... Melody's Lullaby... Haunted Heart... A Child is Born / Naima...
Blue in Green... Disney medley: Someday My Prince Will Come / Alice in Wonderland...
But Beautiful... Epilogue: Theme from 'East of Eden'
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