Daniel Lanois: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

I came to know Daniel Lanois through his instrumental collaboration with Brian Eno, Apollo: Atmospheres And Soundtracks, in 1983. I fell in love with Lanois' own music through his singing and the heartfelt, textured songs on albums like 1989's lovely Acadie (with its New Orleans flavor) and 1993's For The Beauty Of Wynona (with its haunting sounds and stories). Most fans know Lanois as a remarkable producer for the likes of Bob Dylan, U2 and Peter Gabriel.
What Daniel Lanois brought to the Tiny Desk recalled that early work while still sounding new: He led an all-instrumental, somewhat improvisational trio based on the sort of studio processing for which he's become famous. In essence, he brought the studio out of the studio - with the aid of two great players, drummer Brian Blade and bassist Jim Wilson - and directly to my desk. The title of Lanois' new album, Flesh And Machine, describes the music well. He never says a word, but he sculpts some serious, hypnotic sounds. --BOB BOILEN
Set List
"Sci Fi"
"Elevator"
"Apres Calypso"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Colin Marshall, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Susan Hale Thomas; photo by Susan Hale Thomas/NPR

[@cosmicphoto05]

Brian Blade is the world's chillest drummer. When he plays, all is right with the world.

[@rafaeljesus8076]

Check Khruangbin's drummer :)

[@karlboman]

Brian Blade is from a different planet! And that bass is sooo smooth and calming

[@marcelopepinho]

This drummer kicks all asses

[@TROGULAR10000]

+Daniel Navarro brian blade,

[@FlexMathews]

Yes he is. #SaysFlex

[@cardboardmusic]

One of the great jazz drummers of these times.

[@VioletGiraffe]

My ass hurts but it's well worth it.

[@bo9718]

brian blade the man! the legend!

[@Paisan06]

Brian Blade can do more with a the simplest kit set up than most drummers can do with twice as much.

[@loonaya]

Pretty good drummer :P

[@juliandewar9502]

Stuffed in the corner, elbowing stuff off the shelves and politely putting it back before continuing to calmly slay the track

[@nonchai]

So true, he’s a phenomenon

[@scottfoster3643]

Probably even 1 handed if necessary

[@PutItAway101]

Great musical imagination, to keep coming up with things to do on that tiny setup

[@gordonstuart2655]

Just heard for the first time. Mind is blown. 😮

[@whoziee]

A hi-hat, a snare and a kick drum. That's all he needs to make it sound that good. Amazing!

[@daniv8983]

The joy I feel when I hear Daniel Lanois is unlike any else. Specially this performance. Pure magic. 🙏 No wonder we loved the 80's.

[@seamusin1697]

Daniel Lanois is immensely talented yet very underrated. He was instrumental in helping artists like Peter Gabriel, U2, Robbie Robertson, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and many others revive their careers through bringing his own unique and personal touch to their music. in particular, his sparse atmospheric sonic landscapes in many cases helped highlight and bring to the foreground voices of particular performers who might otherwise have gotten lost in excessive and over produced music devoid of true grit or soul. He has a particular knack and talent for showcasing that which makes an artist sound different from others. In his own career, he has remained vital and current through being unafraid to take risks and explore different emotions, themes, and sounds in a way which comes across as truly authentic and genuine. He never seems to try to overpower the listener, rather he builds a feeling and momentum through his work which connects to people in a more visceral and instinctual way.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

guess with Eno they even grew bigger in terms of cultural impact

[@NOVELBITES]

He was also the mastermind behind Emmylou Harris' atmospheric 1995 classic, Wrecking Ball.

[@toneseeland]

I dont think he is underrated. The best of musicians adore him. He is a hero so to speak. He is a man with great integrity who did not flash into wanting fame for the sake of it. Yet he is stopped on the streets worldwide by real music lovers. Real quality is admired . He is one of every instrument . Music has always been his language. Lyrics also. When he can say it through singing he is pretty confident. I adore him.

[@exhalejackie]

I love Neil Young’s La Noise...........

[@fergmills4198]

@@toneseeland Couldn't agree more.

[@andivax]

OMG! Daniel is used Delay as the main musical instrument! I've never seen such a miracle! Just WOW!

[@makayla1223]

And he worked wonders on the RDR2 soundtrack. Now I’m beginning to like him.

[@jamiestuart5186]

Brian Blade for President!

[@shadowshapedheart]

What a mean thing to say!!!🤣

[@michaelmadcat]

Of all the awesome performances out there, I think this is my all-time favorite NPR tiny desk concert.

[@Mervinlei]

Wish Daniel would make a full album like this with Brian Blade.

[@mathieuboucher3662]

The album "Flesh and Machine" is for you ... ;)

[@tonywords6713]

Thank you!

[@YaoEspirito]

With Slingblade?

[@cyhermann7147]

@@mathieuboucher3662 thanks

[@benoitc.5400]

Nate Smith would be awesome too,

[@churlishbeardo]

Rhythm section's killing it, here. The drummer's fantastic.

[@letsif]

Brian Blade, one of the best drummers I've ever seen-heard.

[@alexandriawallacew9327]

Brian Blade is just such a wonderful percussive.invation to the foundation and soul of every song he graces with his playing

[@TheWolfboy512]

Seriously, this is the best thing I've ever heard. it's the freaking future

[@filiplaskovski9993]

“That’s the way it is” is one of his best songs ever !!!!!

[@stephenrobbins2954]

Since there's so much controversy on this already and if any one wants a rundown on how DL runs this setup live: He has already sampled tracks running through his mixer from the laptop, recorded onto pro tools. Lord knows what they are or how he made them but they're already there, complete with chord changes. My best guess is that Brian Blade (best drummer in the world) is playing to a click. DL pulls up faders for different tracks and instruments throughout the song: this is important, he PLAYS different already sampled parts live by basically pulling them off of mute. He is a performance mixer and does this all the time making recordings. He then runs those different tracks when he wants to through that (I believe) delay unit with the colored knobs and switches. He probably has a microphone pointed at the kit as well which he can turn up and take the drum parts being played live and feed those straight into the delay unit. This is my best guess, maybe it's right, maybe not. Cheers

[@lluiss7049]

+Stephen Robbins Yep, this is how he's doing it. Delay unit (colored knobs) is a lexicon prime time.

[@apzzpa]

solid analysis

[@grandenuit]

Brian never plays on click

[@hemligaskolan]

Do you know what mixer he's using?

[@yogijvm]

Looks like a Mackie 1604VLZ4

[@beeftheheat]

Great to see Brian Blade as good as I'd hoped he'd be. Great to see M. Lanois still topping the charts. And they're with a great young bassist. Thanks for the Great Free TV Concert!

[@Yakub9000]

Brian Blade, this is the first I have heard of you, and what a shame, you have an instant fan here... every hair on my body has been standing on end for 3 mins... a joy to listen and watch!!

[@TheMrCompletely]

it's reached the point I will listen to literally any project he's involved in, which is a lot of projects in a lot of styles. he is truly amazing

[@Yakub9000]

Stations like NPR and WNRN are gold mines for introducing me to new favourite sounds!

[@lucianlarghi5402]

Ginger Beard listen to the Wayne shorter Quartet. Brian reaches a level of explosive creativity very few musicians can achieve.

[@als8718]

Brian Blade. Up Down. North South. East West. He owns the kit!

[@chesneytube1]

What an amazing drummer. A few seconds in to the set and I'm thinking 'what a luxury to have a drummer that can carry the whole set'! I've never heard of him before. Now I'm looking at the comments and more than half of them are about him!

[@davejones1207]

This clip is a revelation, a redefining of groove.

[@genistgn853]

The drummer & the bassist chilling while Daniel is doing his experiments. That's sick.

[@paradiddle16]

Brian Blade is awesome! I like how he takes time to put back the vinyl on the shelf while still going on the kit! hahaha

[@kingdomabundance999]

Good wondering music. So chill. And that's probably happiest drummer I've seen all year. Brightens my day to see people enjoying music.

[@tortoiseboxing1792]

There are not many drummers who can it lay down like Mr Brian Blade. 😎😎😎

[@crestiferj2689]

brian blade just absolutely killing it.

[@daflotsam]

Thanks for this. The atmosphere of Acadie fell into my hands decades ago and I've been mesmerized by Daniel Lanois' music ever since. Both performance and production.

[@benjaminfehderau237]

This is my favourite vid on all of youtube. honestly

[@yarpyarp85]

+Benjamin Fehderau you obviously haven't seen Nyan Cat.....

[@TROGULAR10000]

+Benjamin Fehderau i like the one where they throw a ball at a dog, then another ball, then a bunch of balls all at once

[@benjaminfehderau237]

+TROGULAR 10,000 that one's always a classic

[@anglinoutdoors3544]

One of the greatest consists of musicians to ever grace a stage. I've been priveledged to see this trio many times live...well as many as one would expect with such a rare occasion. From mere feet away, small venues...sonic rehab :)

[@shepmathe]

Very lucky!! You were on top of this. Wish I could say the same but I found them a couple/few yrs ago.

[@wendycopeland100]

Mother of God, I love his musical exploration. (And Mr. Brian Blade on drums...)

[@44musher]

My brain just was transported to a better place!! Awesome work all! Thank you for sharing!

[@quinnparker6111]

Favourite comment ever.

[@gi7817]

so amazing!!! I've played this so many times. a Canadian musician/artist that has transcended music with his art. captain of delay and THE MAKER of the U2 sound. FANTASTIC!!!! and it helps to have the most wicked drum and bass!!

[@FesterWerks]

This brings back so many memories of his earlier work. His own and as producer for other. He produced so many albums that were such an influence on me. I can't say enough about this wonderful set. I could listen and watch this for hours. Just love the players with him too. It's always great when a drummer with a very minimal kit can fill the space and carry it... showing you don't have to a Neal Peart kit to be effective. Massive thanks for having him in and posting this.

[@felipesolari5343]

Hypnotic but constantly surprising at the same time. Like it a lot. A discovery

[@AliciaFowlie]

My partner, my dad and my sibling's person were all fans of the swift king Brian Blade. xo You are a master!!!!!

[@billybaumann4445]

Brian Blade is killing it

[@jamiemellor7417]

Fascinating.

[@pacolazog]

Amazing music

[@s90210h]

one of my personal favourite all time tiny desk

[@andromeda138]

That drummer is amazing.

[@eterogenus]

So creative....Daniel proves one again how great he is in "playing the sound" trough unknown paths. Oh and the drummer is also amazing !

[@hemligaskolan]

Dub musicians/producers has done this since this since the sixties...

[@WGBHMusic]

Loving that percussion! Overall fantastic creative sound. Very cool artist to feature on the Tiny Desk.

[@couckejacques3258]

Maniefik

[@WoRN808]

Love love love this.

[@orangeblue61]

Great! Really enjoyed hearing (and watching) this. Very cool vibe!!

[@davidguerre6896]

Lanois is a Legend!

[@dashael1492]

The drummer is a particularly gifted player.

[@RyanRenteria]

brian blade, best drummer in the world

[@davea2960]

I'm digging this music, Brian Blade is awesome of course and I"m digging the old school rubber strap holding the rig down.

[@chrisreed3022]

I love the collaboration of mind, body and soul. The head mangling technicality of the set up, the sheer embodied skill of the three players and collective passion for the performance, of making some thing happen. Creation incarnate.

[@dav8861]

Brian Blade @7:06 is where it's at. He loves this groove and it shows.

[@calsavestheworld]

That's Brian Blade!! That guy is just everywhere. He's great.

[@silvercast007]

He is a genious..simply as that

[@01Rising]

I love how much space he leaves for the other musicians

[@DanielTibbitsArtist]

brought me to tears, chaos and order in harmony. beautiful

[@benjamincarney9875]

What a pleasant surprise to see Brian has joined us...

[@WLOMA]

Thanks Bob for introducing me to all these great musicians (and for the few words you write everytime about each musician)

[@maazvdo]

Daniel Lanois: Amazing!!!! Thanks for posting, NPR Music

[@mathiasnilo6855]

That drummer, that bassist, that lanois! Cant tell you how much I love this!!!!

[@flyingworldtour]

we love you

[@arnold651]

Good good... thanks guys !

[@brownjovi]

he's mixing live...brilliant. no mix will ever be the same... only in tempo. awesome.

[@nusense808]

Very cool stuff. Very minimal in setup but it produced and very deep rich sound. I like(Borat voice)

[@ppilasiewiczz]

„Leonard Bernstein At Work” Perfect match for this visionary performance🖤🚀 Thanks for sharing 🔥

[@DishKing]

Awesome performance

[@hexagondun]

venetian snares collab brought me here, and this guy has my favorite drummer playing with him live on npr? Sold. Good stuff.

[@filobloomz]

Daniel Lanois is just one of the coolest MoFo's on the planet.

[@lisasloane6945]

Brian Blade's drumming is just amazing, love this.

[@ezequielporfiri8822]

afters decades of musical production you become this! awesome performance! is mental!

[@Frederic83130]

Merci Daniel pour ce beau set !

[@VincentBattista]

That was...incredible.

[@TonyMontana-wt4bu]

Excellent drummer 👌

[@blave549]

A genius, right here.

[@cardboardmusic]

What I like about Daniel Lanois is that he's always looking for something else (one could say another way).

[@philippecarole9760]

Incroyable Brian Blade

[@lemmonsAREyellow]

So great

[@akselcoe6333]

Thats a really nice snare drum right there.

[@4e1vintage]

Ludwig black beauty 1920s engraved i believe

[@gg41r]

Maybe belongs to Danny Lanois. Im sure i read he has piles of drum kits etc at his studio.

[@KoenigLoans]

That sounds like the distinctive snare drum that Larry Mullen used on the Wrecking Ball album.

[@sezincil4478]

I applaud!

[@nollafore2923]

this is fantastic!

[@Jazzbass92]

Brian Blade! What a fucking boss...

[@TheMrCompletely]

ahahaha at 4:50 an album falls off the shelves and Blade takes time to replace it that's so Tiny Desk BTW note none of these tracks are on Flesh and Machine

[@kyleimes7041]

This is excellent

[@NOVELBITES]

If you haven't heard Daniel's masterful production on Emmylou Harris' 1995 album, Wrecking Ball, do so immediately.

[@OutSideDeMatrix]

an artist, artists and their art - scape. sonic / transcendence.

[@robertpearson]

Amazing

[@ScottOuelletteGuitar]

Fantastic music!

[@MargotPedd]

Brilliant🎉

[@moussetache1815]

It as about time I discovere this performance. I'm in a kind of a Lanois kick currently. I also happen to love Blade's drumming. So...

[@gordonrosenberg]

the man is simply the best!

[@EuphoricImpact]

Eargasm achieved!

[@kennethmilam2894]

Amazing 👏 ❤Gentlemen

[@jedfriedland1520]

Grooves as hard as Martin Madeski and Wood. Daniel's intuition as a musician is highly developed. Vintage snare sounds great.

[@JackOrion0670]

Brian Blade is bad ass. BAD ASS!!

[@funkstrong]

jack orion BAD ASSSSSSSSS

[@yonickyg9719]

i keep watching this... once BB comes in ...it fulfills ...

[@romemclean4252]

Blade is amazing they all did great on this

[@nirke_]

The studio out of the studio. Nice concept.

[@timgaines6325]

this recording has become my favorite thing to play guitar too

[@kipcalm]

Brian Blade, what a drummer!

[@cardboardmusic]

Who also has his own group "Fellowship", check them out.

[@bazbeat]

brilliant!

[@VincentCordel]

Congrats for the audio capture - amazing musicianship with a great recording