Q: What Do These Albums Have in Common? 

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A: They all were produced by Daniel Lanois

Achtung Baby

Us

The Joshua Tree

So

Oh Mercy

Or Watch This Video to Know The Answer 

Quick, what do you think of Daniel Lanois as a Producer? 

The Other Side of Lanois 

Learn more about his unique style as a musician

Daniel Lanois | Songwriter

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 suc...

What a Way To Play Guitar 

This is a must see!

What's His Best Produced Album? 

Three Reasons to Love Daniel Lanois 

1. He's an Amazing Musician and Guitar Player

2. He Brings Out The Artist's Best

3. He Supports Great Causes

Lotta Love To Give 

The Joshua Tree - Redux 

Daniel Lanois & Brian Eno Producers

Joshua Tree (Remastered / Expanded) (Super Deluxe Edition) (2CD/DVD)

Amazon Price: $53.99 (as of 05/16/2008)

The Joshua Tree has been meticulously re-mastered from the original analog master tapes. The 14-track bonus CD contains a number of B-sides and unused tracks that have been scattered elsewhere, but have never been collected in one disc before. The selling point of the DVD is the concert video in Paris, which many fans are going to find invaluable. Even better than a real thing!

Brain Eno and Daniel Lanois 

What Do They Think of Each Other?

"Dan listens to feel, to the skeleton of the songs, and draws attention to the things everybody else has stopped noticing."

"Eno is one of my favorite characters. He's a visionary and supporter of mine."

"Conversations are always heavy with Eno. He puts a lot of thought into everything. We make a nice team. We play well together, we play instruments well together."

U2:The Joshua Tree DVD - Exit

The Documentary 

The Joshua Tree

Amazon Price: $9.97 (as of 05/16/2008)
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This DVD merges past and present, co-producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, mixer Steve Lillywhite, and guitarist The Edge isolate different tracks on the album's master tapes to show how some of U2's greatest songs were layered with each individual's big contributions.

U2:The Joshua Tree DVD - Running to Stand Still

Here Is What Is 

Here Is What Is on DVD 

Lanois reveals some of his studio secrets

Here Is What Is

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 05/16/2008)

This documentary captures the art of making his last record. The film opens up with a timeless piano performance by Garth Hudson. He also joins Brian Blade's father at the Zion Baptist Church for an awesome rendition of This May Be The Last Time. The film also journeys with Lanois to Morocco where he meets mentor Brian Eno and the U2 members. From the inquisitive Where Will I Be to the emotive sounds of Lovechild, Here Is What Is features a collection of viscerally powerful and beautiful tracks. A must see!

Lanois in His Toronto Studio 

Selected Discography as a Producer 

Producer
Jon Hassell, Power Spot (Uni/Ecm, 2000)
Willie Nelson, Teatro (Island, 1998)
Brian Blade, Brian Blade Fellowship (Blue Note/Capitol, 1998)
Luscious Jackson, Fever In, Fever Out (Grand Royal/Capitol, 1996)
Emmylou Harris, Wrecking Ball (Asylum, 1995)
Peter Gabriel, Us (Geffen, 1992)
Bob Dylan, Oh Mercy (CBS, 1989)
Robbie Robertson, Robbie Robertson (Geffen, 1988)
The Neville Brothers, Yellow Moon (A&M, 1989)
Peter Gabriel, So (Virgin, 1986)
Peter Gabriel, Birdy (Virgin, 1985)

Co-Producer
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Interscope, 2004)
U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind (Uni/Interscope, 2000)
Bob Dylan, Time Out of Mind (Columbia/Sony, 1997)
U2, Achtung Baby (Island, 1991)
Brian Eno, Music for Films (EG, 1990)
U2, The Joshua Tree (Island, 1987)
Michael Brook, Hybrid (EG, 1985)
Harold Budd, The Pearl (EG, 1984)
U2, The Unforgettable Fire (Island, 1984)
Brian Eno, Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks (EG, 1983)
Brian Eno, On Land (EG, 1982)

Could You Share Your Thoughts About Daniel as Producer? 

I'd love to hear it!

Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves...

RichLeigh An excellent lens packed full of interesting detail! Posted April 18, 2008

Music-Resource Hi Cinetech, Great Daniel Lanois lens you've made here. I appreciate the amount of work you put into the lens. I'm a big fan of Eno and U2. If he's been working with them then he's with the right crowd. I especially liked the pedal steel video. Nice job. ~Music Resource~ Posted January 12, 2008

Eric Shoup

The Maker is the next amazing grace it will never be forgotten

Posted October 08, 2007

Mala

I just saw the premiere of Here is What Is.....it was as good as I had expected. I've been a fan for years now. But am so looking forward to the new album.

Posted September 14, 2007

Back Where U Belong 

Sinead & Daniel

In 1991, Lanois and O'Connor met back when she recorded "Blood of Eden" with Peter Gabriel for the album Us. Fast forward to 2007, and they were back together to record the song "Back Where You Belong' for the film "The Water Horse". This movie was released on Christmas 2007.

Interview with Lanois 

by Randall from Free The Scene Blog

Randall: What work were you most proud of?

Daniel: The Pearl, which is an Eno/Harold Budd record. U2's Achtung Baby was a strange and bizarre masterpiece. There was a lot of torment in that process, and it shows up in the music, but it has beauty in it as well and it's kind of a strange furry beast that you would be happy to have sit at your dinner table.

read the entire interview here

New U2 Album in The Making 

Producers Lanois & Eno Team Up Again

Falling At Your Feet 

U2 & Lanois

Ambient Collaboration 

His mastery of all things ambient started in early '80s, when he spent time working alongside Brian Eno, as well as minimalist pianist Harold Budd, pioneer guitarist Michael Brook and Fourth World Music trumpeter Jon Hassell.

Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks

With Brian Eno

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 05/16/2008)
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The Pearl

With Harold Budd

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Power Spot

With Jon Hassell

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Music for Films

With Brian Eno

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Hybrid

With Michael Brook

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Daniel Is Guitar Tech Savvy 

What's Lanois Main Guitar Set-Up?

A Picture Says A Thousand Words 

If you have any Lanois photo please add it to:
Daniel Lanois on Flickr by mishkaoutofcontrol

Come Talk To Me 

Peter Gabriel and Daniel Lanois

Daniel Lanois was introduced to Peter Gabriel by David Rhodes. At the time, Gabriel was interested in someone who could manipulate sound, someone who could work with him for the soundtrack of Alan Parker's film: Birdy. Then, they strengthened their relantionship and went on to make two brilliant albums: So and Us.



In 1986, Daniel Lanois asked his pal David Bottrill to fly to England to aid in the recording of So. Bottrill once commented on a friendly clash between the two Egos. "With many things on the go, Peter was distracted too many times from writing lyrics. So there was a time when Daniel got so upset with Gabriel he ended up nailing the door shut in the studio where Gabriel was writing lyrics so he wouldn't be able to leave to make another phone call!"

Bottrill recalls the recording sessions of Gabriel's album Us as one of the most intense he ever experienced. The Lanois-helmed production spanned over 2 years, and he thinks the venture, at that time, was very perfectionist and too ambitious in scope.

This video shows Lanois and Gabriel rehearsing and recording Come Talk To Me, a song included in the album Us.

Peter Gabriel - US - Secret World 

Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 05/16/2008)
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Performance by Gabriel and his international band: violinist Shankar, drummer Manu Katche, and bassist Tony Levin. Featuring versions of well-known material like "Solsbury Hill," "Sledgehammer," "In Your Eyes," "Come Talk To Me" and the always-moving "Don't Give Up".

Emmylou Harris + Daniel Lanois = Wrecking Ball 

Wrecking Ball is perhaps Emmylou's best album ever. The complex and layered arrangements resolve into real voices and instruments. Daniel Lanois provides a distinctive sound that goes beyond what one normally expects from a producer.



Steve Earle's Goodbye is a rhythmically sprawling reopening of an old wound, as Earle himself sits in on the proceedings, Deeper Well is Harris and Lanois' idiosyncratic take on gospel bluegrass and Jimi Hendrix's May This Be Love is stunning - Harris' exhilarating vocal matched with a terrific backing of Lanois' electric guitar and Mullen's drums. This is best Lanois-esque song of the album!

A Solid Production 

Wrecking Ball

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 05/16/2008)
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This album includes breathtaking covers of numbers by heavyweights such as Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams among others. The fingerprints of Daniel Lanois are all over this album as well. It's got the 'atmosphere' sound and pulsing beat that distinguishes his sound. This may not be for the Emmylou purist, however, it stands as one of the best albums of all time.

Robbie Robertson 

First Nations Music Warrior

Robbie Robertson was born to a white father and Native American mother from the Mohawk tribe. He started playing guitar when he was 9 years old. He achieved international fame and prominence with his work in the legendary 60s and early 70s rock group The Band. In 1986, his self-titled solo debut album was co-produced with Daniel Lanois.

Robbie Robertson - Somewhere Down The Crazy River

Robbie Robertson - Fallen Angel

ROBBIE ROBERTSON - Showdown At Big Sky

The Neville Brothers 

New Orleans Connection

Yellow Moon

Amazon Price: $7.97 (as of 05/16/2008)
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"Yellow Moon, an album that manages to find room for such contemporary touches as rap ("Sister Rosa," a tribute to civil rights figure Rosa Parks) without compromising or corrupting the Nevilles' identity. Each selection has New Orleans spice, like a delicious gumbo."

- Rolling Stone

With God in Our Side 

The Neville Brothers do Bob Dylan

Teatro 

In 1998, Dan produced Teatro for Willie Nelson.


Donata Wenders shot this beautiful picture and more...

Also at that time, the acclaimed film director Wim Wenders produced a small documentary: Willie Nelson at the Teatro, featuring 10 of Willie Nelson's songs, performed at Daniel Lanois' studio, a converted picture theatre in Oxnard, California.

Listen To His Music 

Album Samplers

Shine

For the Beauty of Wynona

Acadie

Here Is What Is

Rockets

Music For Films 

Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks: Deep Blue Day

Sling Blade 

The Plot: Karl Childers, now a grown man, is released from a psychiatric hospital where he has been hospitalized since the age of 12 for the murder of his mother and her lover. Karl befriends a young boy, Frank, and is soon invited by Frank's mother, Linda, to move into the family's garage. As a strong relationship develops between Karl and Frank, a confrontation builds with Linda's abusive and sometimes violent boyfriend Doyle.



The Filmmaker: Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed and played Karl Childers in Sling Blade. His screenplay won an academy award, while he was also nominated for best actor.



The Score: The soundtrack is rich and ambient, featuring Lanois' heavily-processed guitar and the help of a few extraordinary players (mentor Brian Eno, jazz drummer Brian Blade and Emmylou Harris).

1. Asylum - Daniel Lanois
2. Jimmy Was - Daniel Lanois
3. Bettina - Daniel Lanois
4. Soul Dressing - Booker T. & The MG's
5. Lonely One - Tim Gibbons
6. Blue Waltz - Daniel Lanois
7. Secret Place - Daniel Lanois
8. Darlin' - Bambi Lee Savage
9. Shenandoah - Daniel Lanois/Emmylou Harris
10. Orange Kay - Daniel Lanois
11. Smothered In Hugs - Local H
12. Phone Call - Russell Wilson/Mark Howard
13. Omni - Daniel Lanois
14. The Maker - Daniel Lanois

The track Orange Kay was named after an electric guitar pedal: The Orange Kay Fuzz. Lanois uses it in an ominous kind of way. Watch the scene Kaiser Blade:

Kaiser Blade

Daniel & Emylou - Shenandoah

Local H - Smothered in Hugs

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."

Brian Blade Fellowship

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 05/16/2008)
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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's First DVD 

Rocky World

Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
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"If you don't know anything about Daniel Lanois, this video is the perfect way to introduce one of the most amazing artists I have ever seen and heard from British Columbia to Louisiana."

- Soraya Kherfi

Daniel Lanois & Dave Matthews Teamed Up 

Oct. 14, 2001 at The Paramount Theatre

Groundwork 2001, the first-ever North American TeleFood event as part of its ongoing global campaign against world hunger.



This was the line up on that memorable night:

Blind Boys of Alabama
Emmylou Harris
Daniel Lanois
Dave Matthews

So Damn Lucky 

Dave Matthews with Daniel Lanois

Daniel Lanois Connections 

U2

The music of Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry have always been about heart and mind, body and soul. The best rock band that ever existed.

Brian Eno

Perhaps best known as a musician and producer, he's also an artist, professor and thinker.

Peter Gabriel

He's an innovative musician, writer and video maker. When at school he co-founded the group Genesis, which he left in 1975. Since then, his albums, live performance and videos have won him a succession of awards.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is perhaps the most influential American lyricist rock has ever produced and unquestionably the most important of the 60s.

The Neville Brothers

Aaron, Art, Cyril and Charles play together; they play apart. Each of the four brothers pursue projects of their own.

Interview with Daniel Lanois - OnlineRock

His latest album, Belladonna is a travel log from Mexico, where Miles Davis got to join in on the nightly studio adventures. By Nikki O'Neill, May 2006.

House of Soul - Electronic Musician

Great technical article by Paul Tingen. Lanois says "The secret of my studios is that I keep everything plugged in all the time. It's like a throwback to the '50s, when studios would have a drum kit nailed to the floor and several amplifiers ready to plug your guitar or bass into."

An Interview with Daniel Lanois

Jonathan Greenberg and Olivia Mather interview Lanois for "Echo, a Music-centered Journal"

Daniel Lanois Information

Another Lanois' fan tribute website.

Looking For a Rare Lanois-Produced Record? 

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If You Are a Gear Maniac 

by Alex Wyler

Alex Wyler who is a gear maniac has tuned in to Lanois' music devices and has revealed a list for all of us to see. He claims he has uncovered many secrets of Brian and Dan's treatments. Although he says he'll never reveal them to anyone.

Treatment Effect Devices in The Studio 1978-2006

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