Upon listening to this album, I need to remark on the sheer breadth of playing as Lenny plays effortlessly and comfortably on many stylistically distinct pieces. Breau moves from Jazz to Country Blues, from Classical Indian music to Flamenco with apparent ease, revealing an eclectic and colourful personality. There is a nice mix of solo and trio pieces on this album, some of which are Breau’s own creations, like ‘Indian reflections for Ravi,’ dedicated to the legendary sitarist. The flavour of his solo pieces such as ‘Spanjazz’ and ‘Blues Theme’ can be easily guessed at.

On the song ‘No Greater Love’ Breau is joined by bassist, Ron Halldorson and Reg Kellin on drums, and displays some considerable chops with enough interaction between Halldorson and Kellin to allow for intelligibility.

There is seemingly no end to Breau’s talents when he is heard singing on the song ‘ That’s All.’ This is perhaps a matter for debate though. While you may like his guitar playing his vocals may affect a different response. There is as they say however ‘no accounting for taste’. I have heard some say that they would rather he didn’t talk between songs let alone sing but that is a different matter!

Also present on the album is a solo reworking of ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy’, written by the late Joe Zawinul (1932-2007), the groundbreaking Austrian keyboardist who played with jazz/fusion supergroup ‘Weather Report’ and who later enjoyed a successful solo career.

Add to this another trio outing with ‘A Taste Of Honey,’ perhaps best known to some as a Beatles song from the album ‘Please Please Me’ of 1963, though originally written by Scott/Marlow. If it’s good enough for Mr Breau it’s good enough for the Fab Four!

The album as a whole may not be to everyone’s taste, but what is? Breau has an ability to draw the listener into his own world and communicate many different things to us from within it making for an enjoyable and very real experience. Owing to the spontaneous nature of Breau’s playing there is an immediacy to the music sometimes non-existent in other musical realms, which is at times reflective and at other times electrifying. ‘The Velvet Touch’ is a disc worth pursuing whether you are a guitarist or simply a curious listener with an open ear.