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Soul Mining: A Musical Life
Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, U2, Peter Gabriel, and the Neville Brothers all have something in common: some of their best albums were produced by Daniel Lanois. A French-speaking kid from Canada, Lanois was driven by his innate curiosity and intense love of music to transcend his small-town origins and become one of the world’s most prolific and successful rec...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
November 8th 2011
by Faber & Faber
(first published 2010)
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A very well written book by a great musical presence, both for his own work and his production of Dylan, Willie, Emmylou, Gabriel, U2, the Nevilles, and many more. Sort of a twin to Bob Dylan's Chronicle's volume 1.
contains this gem: "These early pioneers had invented a sound that would speak to the world and that held the four vital ingredients—sexuality, godliness, joy, and groove.” Daniel Lanois on early reggae, from his book Soul Mining, p159
contains this gem: "These early pioneers had invented a sound that would speak to the world and that held the four vital ingredients—sexuality, godliness, joy, and groove.” Daniel Lanois on early reggae, from his book Soul Mining, p159
"...there are moments of epiphany. It's laboratoy work, really, and any scientist will tell you that research is trial and error, and sometimes by products are more interesting than what you thought you were supposed to be going after. Doubt is just part of the recipe... So there I was... wondering what the hell it was all about, banging into brick walls, hoping to find a way to make it all work. I was not about to be a casualty of mediocrity. Innovation is costly - it eats away at your life, yo...more
"Soul Mining: A musical life" is a trip through Daniel Lanois' travels, friendships, dreams and inspirations. Hard to believe this Canadian was a candle maker in Gainsville, Florida, for a while, then not too long after that he was producing albums for U2. If you play and record music yourself, you'll love his stories from the studio, and most likely gain knowledge and insights. Some of them are simple, perhaps obvious, but to hear them coming from the source, they gain heft and height.
Lanois sp...more
Lanois sp...more
Amazing. One of my favorite musicians/producers discusses the hows and whys....how he recorded Willie Nelson's "Teatro", why he chose to decorate an abandoned porn theater with Cuban styles couches and lights to set a mood...then record live with Willie and Co for 5 days. Riding motorcycles with Bob Dylan in New Orleans....his childhood....his crazy philosophies....his idea of composition....its just great. You might need to be a fan to really love it...but any artist would enjoy the way he disc...more
With a resume like Lanois', how could this book not be captivating? The behind-the-scenes tales of producing U2, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Peter Gabriel, and the Neville Brothers (among many others) reveal a man who not only is at the top of his craft technically speaking, but also is an unflinching seeker of musical innovation, enthralling atmosphere and soulful moments from the artists he produces. Much more than a mere knob-twirler, Lanois is a skilled soul miner -- and repeatedly strikes go...more
I've worshiped at the sonic altar of Danny Lanois for 15 years or so now, so I was overjoyed a few months ago when I found out that he was putting out a book.
This book is basically an auto-biography, but much like Bob Dylan's "Chronicles, Vol. 1" it sort of jumps around in time and space. It's not arranged chronologically at all. In both books, this kind of bugged me a little bit.
Still, Lanois' writing is poetic, atmospheric, personal. No surprise to those familiar with his production techniques...more
This book is basically an auto-biography, but much like Bob Dylan's "Chronicles, Vol. 1" it sort of jumps around in time and space. It's not arranged chronologically at all. In both books, this kind of bugged me a little bit.
Still, Lanois' writing is poetic, atmospheric, personal. No surprise to those familiar with his production techniques...more
I love Dan Lanois. I admired and studied his work for decades, met him recently, and now I know that he's the real deal. A true artist's artist; he's easily my favourite Canadian. If his music (obviously including production) has ever moved you in any way, read this and listen to those tracks again. Truly inspirational for any intelligent and passionate musician.
A great read for anybody who's ever been in a recording studio for more than 12 hours and discovered the meaning of life through the trials and tribulations of working with musicians for a living. Lanois' stories of working with U2 and Dylan are especially heartfelt and inspiring. I couldn't wait to finish this book and plug in a microphone.
It was fascinating to get inside the head of the very underrated artist and find out why he made the decisions he has about his work. Sometimes his long passages about equipment is something only a hardcore studio guy could appreciate-but as a whole it was some great insight.
He's not as good a writer as he is a producer, but he "gets 'er done". Sometimes he drones on about equipment he uses that only an audiophile would care about, and yet it gives insight into how thorough and specific he is in his craft. His stories made me go back and revisit albums I had liked and I was able to then know why a little better. If I ever got to meet Lanois, I'd thank him for the gift. My kinda guy.
Tells the stories behind the albums Lanois has worked on and the inspirations. Nuggets of soul in the book (I tweeted a bunch of great quotes) and you sense the individuality of each artist he worked with and the discoveries they made. A reinvigorated Dylan making Oh Mercy in New Orleans with Lanois, The Edge coming up with a new guitar sound on No Line on the Horizon, Willie Nelson's unique vocal phrasings and quick way of working, ... He ends the book talking about invention, passion, being un...more
While might not have been the best music autobiography I've read, but it's still a really interesting look into one of my musical heroes. Lots of fun stories and thoughts.
Great this is how we make the music behind the scene details...makes me want to redo my third floor studio -- and play around w/ GarageBand again. Not linear, but with some poetry.
The guy is an inspiration to me, so just nice to get inside his head for a couple hundred pages. Great Dylan & Neil Young stories, as well as Brian Eno.
I love this book. It change my mind on a lot of things.
Great.
Check out my book review of Soul Mining on the TTQ blog.
http://thetorontoquarterly.blogspot.c...
http://thetorontoquarterly.blogspot.c...
Interesting subject matter but very scattered, which detracted from the reading experience. My initial enthusiasm turned into a slog to finish the book.
Pompous and turgid at times but informative nonetheless.
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