Daniel has a new CD and DVD out with the above title. Lots of Lanois steel guitar vibe--not for everybody, but very cool indeed.
The DVD is amazing--a film that documents, to quote the cover, "a sonic journey to the source of the art in the recording studio"... I was so happy to get this--Daniel's work has had a profound influence on me, and to get to see a bit of it is amazing...
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar
I've been really, really enjoying the soundtrack album. My first impression was that the whole thing didn't create quite the masterful sense of sonic elements and songs fitting together that Lanois' previous records have. But I'm starting to hear that this one is its own kind of journey-- even more of a travelogue than his other works. And there are some utterly gorgeous, mysterious moods and textures; really satisfying to the ears and soul. I was happily surprised by how much steel there is here, too.
Can't wait to see the DVD!
He plays a Sho-Bud LDG, and I think he took off one of the pedals, so he only uses two foot pedals. I think he also owns a Carter. I'm not sure what his tuning is, or what pedal he's removed. He has an interesting and very physical style and approach to playing, and I think a lot of his tone comes from this.
"My guitar is a Sho-Bud Lloyd Green standard 10 string. I'm currently using a Morley volume pedal because it doesn't have a pot that eventually crackles! It uses an optic cell and runs on a battery. The battery lasts for ages. In the studio I prefer to use a Fender Tweed Deluxe 1959. Live I use my Vox AC-30 1962. Playing soft with the right hand and cranking the amp up loud increases my chances of harmonic interplay. The intro to Jimi's Foxy Lady is my source of inspiration for what I'm talking about. Microphone choices - dynamic mic like a 57 or 409 or a ribbon like a Coles or 77 for a darker tone. Usually a 1066 preamp and no compression."
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar
Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm just not all that impressed with his playing........I don't hear anything from either a technical or musical standpoint that grabs me. It just sounds like noodling.
Now, Robert Randolph....I get! Although I'm not motivated to play like him, I do respect both his technique and the uniquely soulful approach to steel guitar of sacred players overall.
Tony, Dan Lanois is a funny case in some ways. The records he has produced for many artists are very 80's in production values, much of it is arguably overproduced, and few would deny that he knows how to make very good sounding and commercially succesful recordings. Bob Dylan says alot of praise for him as someone who was able to drive Dylan and open up ideas to him. That says alot for him as a master producer and creative mentor. Anyone who can impress and teach Dylan has got something going on! Compared to his productions for other artist, much of his self-released recordings with pedal steel feel and sound like demos, and this has become more so since he's focused more and more on pedal steel, compared to some of the solo stuff he released earlier. To me his playing is very abstract, expressionistic, and a sonic mannerism. I am using analogies to painting because (to me) his steel playing seems very painterly in an abstract and expressive way. I'm guessing that those recordings are not driving the commercial producer side of him so much as a way to explore his fascination with the guitar and steel, and are more conceptual than commercial. I have never really been blown away by his steel playing--by a conventional standard, he certainly is nowhere near a hot player like RR or the Campbell Bros., nor does he come close to the technical beauty of a Mooney or an Emmons--but the sounds, textures, atmosphere and space he creates can be very beautiful, original and interesting.
