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Lennox Campbell-Berzins‘ “Lullabies For Lenny” is not your typical jazz album. This instrumental tribute to the late Canadian jazz guitar legend, Lenny Breau, highlights a distinctive technique—Breau’s “harp-harmonic” style.
With ten covers of well-loved jazz standards, Campbell-Berzins offers listeners a fresh perspective on the guitar’s expressive power. Recorded live at the Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto under pressing time constraints, this album captures the raw, intimate beauty of a single take, making each performance feel alive and spontaneous.
The album opens with “When You Wish Upon a Star,” where the guitar takes on an almost ethereal quality. The melody flows gracefully as if played by a harp, instantly pulling the listener into a dreamlike state. It’s a perfect intro, setting the tone for the magical journey. Campbell-Berzins also breathes new life into classics like “Georgia on My Mind” and “Someday My Prince Will Come,” where the delicate balance between melancholy and warmth creates a captivating emotional space. These pieces feel like conversations between nostalgia and hope, with Campbell-Berzins’ skillful use of harmonics offering a nuanced voice.
One standout track is “Over the Rainbow,” where the harp-harmonic technique is at its most potent, transforming the familiar song into something almost unrecognizable yet deeply moving. The shimmering guitar notes mimic the feeling of floating among the clouds, a fitting tribute to Breau’s innovative legacy.
The final track, “What a Wonderful World,” gently closes the album with a sense of optimism and reverence. It’s a beautiful finish, rounding out a project that honours Breau’s influence while showcasing Campbell-Berzins’ creative mastery.
“Lullabies For Lenny” succeeds not only as a homage but also as a bold exploration of the guitar’s untapped potential. Lennox Campbell-Berzins demonstrates that even with a minimalistic setup, music can be limitless.
