Lanois film "Here Is What Is"

[PlugHead]

Being in his hometown this week, Daniel Lanois was present last night at the viewing of his film "Here Is What Is".

Other than premiering at the Toronto Int'l Film fest a couple of months ago, this film has had limited viewing opportunities - I was wondering if anyone else has seen it?

I had a beer after the screening with Dan and his favourite drummer Brian Blades - very humble and approachable guys.

Anyone else seen it?

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

I had a beer after the screening with Dan and his favourite drummer Brian Blades - very humble and approachable guys.

Great! Tell us more about it.

[recall]

Yes, I really want to see this as well.
Has anyone else seen the "rocky world" documentary that came out around the time of "..winona"?

It's a very interesting doc about DL and his life and methods.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

Great! Tell us more about it.

Well,

As a film, it's coming from a "doc" perspective, tho there isn't a lot of talk.

The focus is on the music. Most all of the footage is Lanois playing with his band, recording in his space in Toronto, or his home in LA. There's a bit of footage with U2/Eno while in Fez, Morocco.

I don't need to say there's a LOT of gear sighting throughout the shooting. Almost all shot on hand-held cameras, and rife with visual FX (think "psychedelic") .

Of course the sound is killer - I was wanting for more talk of the creative muse etc. - there's a couple of clips with Eno/Lanois philosophizing about this, but doesn't really catch it's stride on the topic.

The film will be appreciated more by musicians - the performance aspect from him and the musicians are the most compelling parts. Watching Lanois talk/coach Brian Blade through the form of a tune, then cuts between this and the actual recording was great.

All in all, not a great film, but a good effort to reveal the mystery of making music happen from nothing.vthumbsup

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by recall

Yes, I really want to see this as well.
Has anyone else seen the "rocky world" documentary that came out around the time of "..winona"?

It's a very interesting doc about DL and his life and methods.

No - I'd be interested in seeing this.

[Roy Harter]

I'd love to see it as well. Anyone know if there is a planned DVD release? Or even a New York screening?

[MJGreene Audio]

Also interesting.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=opgCQ_ihMH8&feature=related

There are two parts.

Interviewers are dumb as a posts but still insightful.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

Well,

As a film, it's coming from a "doc" perspective, tho there isn't a lot of talk.

The focus is on the music. Most all of the footage is Lanois playing with his band, recording in his space in Toronto, or his home in LA. There's a bit of footage with U2/Eno while in Fez, Morocco.

I don't need to say there's a LOT of gear sighting throughout the shooting. Almost all shot on hand-held cameras, and rife with visual FX (think "psychedelic") .

Of course the sound is killer - I was wanting for more talk of the creative muse etc. - there's a couple of clips with Eno/Lanois philosophizing about this, but doesn't really catch it's stride on the topic.

The film will be appreciated more by musicians - the performance aspect from him and the musicians are the most compelling parts. Watching Lanois talk/coach Blades through the form of a tune, then cuts between this and the actual recording was great.

All in all, not a great film, but a good effort to reveal the mystery of making music happen from nothing.vthumbsup

plughead,

Thanks for the sum-up of the film.

Now tell us about the meeting with Dan + Brian, pleeze!!

[travisbrown]

Originally Posted by recall

Yes, I really want to see this as well.
Has anyone else seen the "rocky world" documentary that came out around the time of "..winona"?

I've seen it. 'Winona' is one of my favourite albums, but I get the sense that Lanois wishes it would go away. At least I infer that from things he's said in concert.

It's worth checking out Classic Albums "Joshua Tree" too. Lots of Lanois in that.

A good friend of mine is a journalist who's done some serious interviews with Lanois a few times. She's got some good stories and impressions of Lanois.

[recall]

I mannaged to randomly find rocky world a year or so ago while searching for lanois stuff on ebay. Its just a vhs, never seen it elsewhere.

If i had the gear I would transfer it to my mac but i only do music and don'y know anything about video.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

plughead,

Thanks for the sum-up of the film.

Now tell us about the meeting with Dan + Brian, pleeze!!

Well,

I didn't get a lot of face time with Dan - he's in his old home here, and far too many people whisking him away for pics/hello's etc., but I spoke to Brian for awhile.

One thing of interest - Dan's new album (his own stuff) is going to be available online at his website. I asked him about poss. DL'ing full-res files, and his eyes lit up! He said a hearty YES!!! to 16/44.1 files available through their server. I said AFAIK he might be the ONLY place where one can purchase full res. files to DL.

The conversation with Brian was light - last time he was here was with Wayne Shorter (whom he's been gigging with for awhile) and the past tour with Dan in 2005. My story to him was that a very good drummer/friend was the one who bought me a ticket to see Lanois (while still living in the far north) because Brian Blades was his hero - turns out Brian was on tour with him, but couldn't make that particular date, so they had 'carrot top' take his place (to the complete disappointment of my buddy!!!).

Brian was also talking about the change in the music industry, how his bottom line hasn't changed much - still gets paid fairly well for gigging, and of course is busy as hell.

A few times Dan came over to see if Brian was OK in our conversation (making sure I wasn't a crazed loonie!!! ) - Dan treats him like gold - never fails to mention him out loud as the 'greatest drummer in the world', always hanging close to him. It's funny to see such admiration from Dan, who is a great musician in his own right.

This morning he gave the keynote speech (Hamilton Music Awards is the venue) and he played an extra HOUR, shifting all seminars/lectures back an hour or more. He really is a very generous person, and shows how much he loves musicians and the love of PLAYING MUSIC, not just capturing/altering it...

That's a brief synopsis - I gotta say I'm really blown away with him (tho I'm not as much a fan of his devotion to 'slide/steel' compositions lately) and his lack of ego. He's about the most selfless star I've ever met.

BTW - his brother Bob is a well known entity (locally), and he and Dan's mom were around lots. He has no shortage of family and friends here, so getting him away from them is more of a chore than you might think...

cheers,

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by MJGreene Audio

Also interesting.

YouTube - Daniel Lanois Interview Part 1

There are two parts.

Interviewers are dumb as a posts but still insightful.

I enjoyed this interview as much or more than the actual film!!!

As I mentioned earlier, there is little technical info or 'production' tips and clues in the film, but def. a bias towards 'music' being the bottom line, which in fact should always be in the forefront when recording.

That said, as a card carrying GS, I WANT GEAR TALK!!!

Nice link tho - thx for this! thumbsup

[wm_b]

Originally Posted by travisbrown

I've seen it. 'Winona' is one of my favourite albums, but I get the sense that Lanois wishes it would go away. At least I infer that from things he's said in concert.

I have no specific information but I think there is something about his time in New Orleans he would like to forget. I was in a conversation with someone in his organization and they alluded to the NO time being not cool. I got the vibe that it was a bad relationship or something. Maybe FTBOW is just part of something he'd rather forget. It's a cool record. Great and different guitar sounds.

[themaidsroom]

i have met brian a few times - he has an amazing sweet energy - very gentle
soul

[MJGreene Audio]

Originally Posted by wm_b

I have no specific information but I think there is something about his time in New Orleans he would like to forget. I was in a conversation with someone in his organization and they alluded to the NO time being not cool. I got the vibe that it was a bad relationship or something. Maybe FTBOW is just part of something he'd rather forget. It's a cool record. Great and different guitar sounds.

There was something that I remember hearing ended up with some kind of legal issue. I heard about it briefly from the people at Kingsway when I was doing some work there. They didn't get into details but it was also right at the time when he was not spending time down there and had put the studio up for sale. They said he would come in every once in awhile but had pretty much moved on.

I know all the gear went with him to his other studios but I want to know what happened to all the Antiques and furniture. It was just beautiful. Amazing valuable photographic prints and paintings on the walls and some very incredible furniture and rugs.

Just a classy fun place with a great vibe and fantastic sounding rooms. You just felt inspired to do great work in that space.

Michael Greene

[MJGreene Audio]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

I enjoyed this interview as much or more than the actual film!!!

As I mentioned earlier, there is little technical info or 'production' tips and clues in the film, but def. a bias towards 'music' being the bottom line, which in fact should always be in the forefront when recording.

That said, as a card carrying GS, I WANT GEAR TALK!!!

Nice link tho - thx for this! thumbsup

Glad you liked it. It was nice.

[Santiago]

Apparently the film will be made available in March through Daniel Lanois' new label

Red Floor Records

The soundtrack album will be available for download (in WAV CD quality) on the 15th of December.

I wish he would tour Europe with the film, though

Santiago