Daniel Lanois, a Music Genius
Daniel Lanois is perhaps one of the most creative musicians of the last few decades. He maneuvers sound to serve atmospheres; his songs are aural pieces of film, etched with razor-sharp guitars. Paradoxically, he's better known as one of the most successful producers of his era.
So you're in for a ride into his world. I'll show you some pictures, wonderful videos and I promise you'll change your perception of this artist.
Selected Discography
Songwriter- Here Is What Is (Redfloor Records, 2007)
- Belladonna (ANTI, 2005)
- Rockets (daniellanois.com, 2004)
- Shine (ANTI, 2003)
- Cool Water (Redfloor Records, 1993)
- For the Beauty of Wynona (Warner Brothers, 1993)
- Acadie (Warner Brothers, 1989)
Composer
- The Million Dollar Hotel: Soundtrack (Uni/Interscope, 2000)
- Sling Blade: Soundtrack (Island, 1996)
What's Your Favorite Album?
Acadie
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)![]()
This beautifully textured album sparkles with atmospheric, bluesy, folky songs like Still Water, The Maker and Where The Hawkwind Kills. Other songs such like Jolie Louise and Under The Stormy Sky, a mixed of French & English ballads, are influenced by the Cajun style. The album ends with a subdued rendition of Amazing Grace. What an exquisite masterpiece!
Acadie
The Forgotten Song
From the window on the Fleuve St. Laurent
many sails are blowing over Fleur de Lis
And it's no surprise to us the Gentilgents
that the British have come now for Acadie
Oh no, no, Francine don't cry
Dry your eyes for I must go
And we fought them on the General Montcalm
as they climbed up to the Plains of Abraham
Where are you Francine?
My eyes are blinded by the smoke,
the powder and the dust
Where are you Francine?
Our lives are shattered by the rush
of the redcoats forward thrust
Goldtop Edition of Acadie
Available This October

Bonus Material
13 The Maker (early bass and lyrics)
14 The Maker (Calypso demo)
15 Still Water (from Eno's house)
16 Jolie Louise (before Dublin)
17 Early Dourado Sketch
18 The Source Of Fisherman's Daughter
Backstage with Daniel Lanois
These videos add up to that story which is told by his brother Bob Lanois and his childhood friends.
Rocky World
For the Beauty of Wynona
Amazon Price: $13.96 (as of 11/15/2009)![]()
This album is more complex, musically and lyrically, than his previous allbum. It impresses with gems like Lotta Love To Give, Sleeping In The Devil's Bed and The Unbreakable Chain. The production is magical, with atmospheric instrumentation, including evocative keyboards, backing his soulful voice. This is a memorable album and Lanois remains truthful to his heart.
Daniel Lanois Soundcheck
This is amazing stuff!
Shine
Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 11/15/2009)![]()
This is a brilliant album. Such great texture and warm sounds. The songs go from ambient, acoustic rock, country and blues at times. My favorites were the quiet Sometimes, Shine, and San Juan. This record delivers on every single track. Don't be surprised if you find out that Lanois is responsible for a quarter of the music you love.
Radio Interview with Daniel
More about the album Shine
curated content from YouTube
Here Is What Is
His Latest Album
Daniel Lanois released his sixth solo album Here Is What Is as a digital download exclusively at redfloorrecords.com. The CD is now available at traditional retail outlets via Redeye Distribution.

"Here Is What Is" Track Listing:
1. Chest Of Drawers
2. Where Will I Be
3. Here Is What Is
4. Not Fighting Anymore
5. Beauty
6. Blue Bus
7. Lovechild
8. Harry
9. Bells
10. This May Be The Last Time
11. Smoke #6
12. I Like That
13. Duo Glide
14. Bladesteel
15. Moondog
16. Sacred And Secular
17. Joy
18. Luna Samba
The entire catalog of solo work, including Here Is What Is, is available at www.redfloorrecords.com.
curated content from YouTube
Here Is What Is
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 11/15/2009)![]()
Here Is What Is features a collection of beautiful and powerful new songs. From the inquisitive Where Will I Be to the emotive sounds of Lovechild. This record is a sonic journey that captures the signature musical sensibilities and virtuosity of Daniel Lanois. The album also includes philosophical and inspiring conversations with Brian Eno.
The Pedal Steel Guitar
His Little Church in a Suitcase

"Part of the appeal is that it's not an easy instrument to float with. You have to be dedicated, and thus not a lot of people can play it, because it's much easier to just pick up a keyboard or guitar. You can get some kind of quick gratification from those instruments as a novice, but the pedal steel won't work. You've got to put in the years."
curated content from YouTube
Belladonna
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 11/15/2009)![]()
This is a sonic journey of kaleidoscopic textures that evolve into delicate Mexican melodies and capture the serenity of American southwest landscapes. The Pedal steel guitar and ambient sounds are the stars here. Some tracks, like Flametop Green, Panorama and Desert Rose are examples of beauty and perfect execution. Absolutely essential listening.
Cool Water
Is it really a bootleg?
It was recorded live in Toronto, Canada, April 1993 at Intimate & Interactive, MuchMusic studios and CBC. MuchMusic is a Canadian cable channel for music videos, similar to MTV. The label is Big Music (Italy) - BIG 063 and it was distributed by CD Music.One night Lanois was signing autographs after a concert, and a fan gave him a copy of Cool Water. He wrote "This is a Bootleg", stamped his signature and smiled.
Howewer, as of 2008 Cool Water is no longer a bootleg you can order it here.
Irish Melody
curated content from YouTube
Lanois - The Recording Studio Producer
Learn More About His Studio Techniques
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Daniel Lanois | Producer
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Daniel Lanois is the man behind some of the world's most talented artists of the past two decades. He's one of the most creative and successful studio producers of his era. Don't be surprised if you find out that Lanois is responsible fo...
Diego Painting

curated content from YouTube
Share Your Thoughts on Daniel
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- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Jan 14, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
- Beautiful -- Daniel's name seems slightly familiar but I had not heard the music that I listened to here on your page. Please add your lens to the "Read More About Some Great Canadian Music Artists At The Following Squidoo Pages" section of my lens, Obama's Canadian Playlist.
Brenda
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Under The Influence of Jimi Hendrix

Lanois included a version of May This Be Love in Emmylou Harris' The Wrecking Ball. In 1995 at a concert in Seattle, he performed this song with his band. Check it out:
curated content from YouTube
Connect With Daniel Lanois
- The Official Website of Daniel Lanois
- Canadian producer, musician and artist who have worked with U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, Neville Brothers, Ron Sexsmith, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Robbie Robertson, Brian Eno among many others.
- Acadie: The Unofficial Daniel Lanois
- Kenley Neufeld, a huge fan of Lanois started this site many moons ago.
- Daniel Lanois Youtube Video Collection
- YouTube's place for Lanois videos.
- Daniel Lanois Album Liner Notes
- The portal to liner notes for all recordings, new and old.
- Daniel Lanois Information
- Another Lanois' fan tribute website.
- Acadie Discussion Boards
- News and Rumours, Trade Talk, Tech Talk, Tour Info and Much More.
- Daniel Lanois Forum
- His Journal and General Discussion.
- Canada Dry
- Daniel Lanois has followed up a career producing acclaimed recordings for the likes of U2 and Peter Gabriel with two solo albums which have earned him equal respect as an artist in his own right. PulTingen talked to him about the changing directions in his own music.
Daniel Lanois Plays Omnichord
Chris Hanis, a player himself, wrote a great article about Lanois and his Omnichord.
Lanois had his Omnichord modified to get different sounds and effects. The built-in sounds, while poor imitations of real instruments, have a certain charm of their own.

Besides using the omnichord in his early records such as Acadie, For The Beauty of Wynona. He also included it in these songs:
* Tension Block (Music For Films III), 1988
* Rain Weather/Elle Est Bonne Et Belle (Lotta Love To Give Single), 1993
* 454 (Jam Nation - Way Down Below Buffalo Hell), 1993
* El Conquistador (Plus From Us), 1993
curated content from YouTube
Brian Blade
Daniel's Side Kick Drummer
In an interview, back in 2006, Lanois said:
"I've known Brian for 15 years and he's like a brother. We always work best when we haven't played together in a while. Then we share our new knowledge together. But he has many layers to his personality and a darkness to him that you don't meet the first time, because he seems very sweet. And Brian is driven by all these layers."

Brian Blade Fellowship
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"Simply put, this is one the best jazz albums of the last few years from one of the best bands of the last few years. Drawing together many different influences, the music here has many rich melodies and textures that proves a current band can create something as beautiful as any of the classic Blue Note albums of the past."
-Michael Brumitt
Daniel and His Motorcycle
The French Connection
Pour Ton Sourire
curated content from YouTube
Lanois' French Songs
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Daniel Lanois | Producer
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