Daniel Lanois | Music

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 6 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #385 in Music, #12,519 overall

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.

Ma Jolie Louise 

Perhaps his most popular song...

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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)

Outstanding Guitar Playing 

You must see this!

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What's Your Favorite Album? 

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Acadie 

His First Album

Daniel Lanois French Canadian Quebecois
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The Maker 

Perhaps his most covered song

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Acadie

Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)Buy Now

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

This song was never released, and missed the cut twice, for both Acadie and Wynona. I really love this song, it takes me back to Quebec city, where I got and played the Acadie record.

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

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Goldtop Edition of Acadie 

Available This October

This edition includes the classic album plus six unreleased tracks from the vault. The package holds the CD, a 32 page bound book of photographs and new inscriptions.

Daniel Lanois Acadie Goldtop Edition

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

Let's Go Back In Time 

Daniel Lanois Teenager

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Backstage with Daniel Lanois 

The Hamilton Spectator published a 3-part article on how Daniel started his life as a producer and guitar player. The articles were written by Jon Wells.

These videos add up to that story which is told by his brother Bob Lanois and his childhood friends.
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For The Beauty of Wynona 

Perhaps his most complete album

Daniel Lanois Wynona
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Rocky World 

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For the Beauty of Wynona

Amazon Price: $13.96 (as of 11/15/2009)Buy Now

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!

I have no words to describe Daniel's sound. All that comes to mind are the words Intuitive Artist. The sound check was recorded by Al Cannon in Hamilton, Ontario Canada, November 17, 2006. Adam Samuels is on drums. This song is called "Where Will I Be" from Daniel's latest album.

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Shine On! 

Music from the album Shine

Daniel Lanois Shine
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Shine - The Title Track 

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Shine

Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 11/15/2009)Buy Now

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

Recording at a radio show Morning Becomes Eclectic in 2003 with Nic Harcourt. Lanois and Mother Superior perform in the studio songs from the album Shine.

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Here Is What Is 

His Latest Album

"Here Is What Is" Marks The First CD Quality Digital Download Album Release

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.

Daniel Lanois Studio Mixer


"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.

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Here Is What Is

Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 11/15/2009)Buy Now

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.

Belladonna 

His FIrst Instrumental Album

Daniel Lanois Belladonna
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The Pedal Steel Guitar 

His Little Church in a Suitcase

Lanois played processed pedal steel in Apollo, the ambient soundscapes album he pioneered with Brian Eno in the early '80s. He recently released Belladonna, a gorgeous, shimmering 40 minutes of steel guitar music, a sonic road trip through parts unknown.

Daniel Lanois Pedal Steel Guitar

"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."

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Belladonna

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 11/15/2009)Buy Now

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.

Daniel Lanois Cool Water CD

Irish Melody 

Yes, this is elusive track 9 from Cool Water. It has a Celtic feel to it. Any resemblance with Sonho Dourado?

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Lanois - The Recording Studio Producer 

Learn More About His Studio Techniques

Frozen in Time 

Daniel Lanois Tuscon 2004

Billy Bob Thornton & Daniel Lanois by cinetech

Daniel Lanois Proud French Canadian by cinetech

Lanois in Paris by cinetech

Lanois in Hamilton by cinetech

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Diego Painting 

This track was released in 1993 as part of a promo album called Trip. All pieces were instrumentals, many of them became part of later released songs. This particular track is one of Lanois' most beautiful instrumental songs he's ever made.

Diego Rivera Alameda Park Detail

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Looking For an Oscure Lanois CD? 

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The Omni Series 

Six Albums of Unreleased Music Online

Omni Series Daniel Lanois

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Share Your Thoughts on Daniel 

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  • Reply
    poutine poutine Oct 27, 2009 @ 10:32 am
    Excellent lens about Daniel Lanois.

    Lots of information and great music.

    Poutine
  • Reply
    TeaLady TeaLady Aug 27, 2009 @ 1:11 am
    Nice Lens!
  • Reply
    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
  • Reply
    sbpk sbpk Jul 12, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
    Dear Daniel,
    Please take me in. The soy bomb debris is killing me.

Under The Influence of Jimi Hendrix 

In his younger years, Daniel used to play guitar and practice in his room, constantly. He used to listen to Jimi Hendrix records. Those records really made an impression on him and they still do. He thinks Jimi's probably the best guitar player that there ever existed. He was asked recently who he would choose if he could work with anyone living or dead, Lanois didn't have to think long before naming his choice: Jimi Hendrix.

Daniel Lanois 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:

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One of My Favorite Tunes from Daniel 

Sonho Dourado

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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 

The Suzuki Omnichord was introduced in 1981. An electronic musical instrument, it features a touch plate and chord buttons, making it very easy to play. Beginners can immediately start playing in tune, while professionals often use the instrument as tool to help map out and shape songs.

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.



Daniel Lanois Omnichord

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

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I'd Like to Play with an Omnichord Too! 

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Brian Blade 

Daniel's Side Kick Drummer

Brian Blade is the drummer of choice for Daniel Lanois. Brian has also recorded or performed with Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bob Dylan and others. Daniel produced Brian's first album: Brian Blade Fellowship, in which he played mando-guitar and Fender Mustang guitar.

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."

Daniel Lanois Brian Blade

Brian Blade Fellowship

Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)Buy Now

"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 

Daniel hardly ever drives a car. A motorbike, usually a modified BMW, is his main way of getting around Los Angeles and Toronto. He also take the occasional trip to Mexico with close friends.

Daniel Lanois Motorcycle BMW

The French Connection 

Pour Ton Sourire

Singer and cellist Jorane joins forces with producer Daniel Lanois in this low-key track.

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Lanois' French Songs 

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French Trio Sings Jolie Louise 

Daniel Lanois en Francais

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