It has always been a treat to see producer Daniel Lanois do his thing on stage during the years since the release of his first album “Arcadie”. I’ve been lucky enough to hear him perform at The Bottom Line back around the time of that first album and more recently at an excellent WFUV songwriter series at Carnegie Hall’s intimate Zenkel Theater. In this case Dan’s NYC appearance was to introduce a new project called Black Dub. Black Dub is Lanois in collaboration with longtime foil Brian Blade on drums, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Trixie Whitley, and on this show Bassist Chris Thomas filling in for usual cohort Daryl Johnson.
For those not familiar with Lanois himself, it is likely you are more than familiar with the music he has helped to create as a record producer. His work with Brian Eno and U2, beginning with the transitional “The Unforgettable Fire” album, led – arguably – to their career highs, “Joshua Tree” and “Achtung Baby”. He manned the board for Peter Gabriel co-producing “So”, has worked with Bob Dylan twice and produced “Wrecking Ball” a savvy, career defining CD for Emmylou Harris. Some of my favorite work, including “Somewhere Down The Lazy River”, appears on the first solo album of his fellow Canadian transplant Robbie Robertson.
Though no opening act was listed, that space was essentially occupied by a video loop of images associated with Lanois’ “Omni Series” CD’s which unfortunately went on just a wee bit too long. Though many of the images were compelling, particularly an eery visual of Dan at the pedal steel with sound waves emanating around him, it didn’t stand up to its half hour long airing. From my vantage point in the balcony it was clear the fidgeting and muttering audience was getting quite restless after the repetitive presentation kicked in for the third time. Most of the attendees were polite but there were a few who were vocal about their displeasure. I‘m always interested in the experimental edge of the artists I follow – Dan especially, it’s part of his ethos and allure – but we got the point of the video the first time through. I don’t think I’m stretching the imagination to say that the crowd would have preferred an additional 10 minutes of Dan on the pedal steel improvising to the video. It was an unfortunate miscalculation that put a weird spin on the start of the show and it took the band a few tunes to warm up an audience that had already been worn out.
In the setting of Black Dub Lanois is less the front man and more like an amiable godfather or even “mid-wife” in the proceedings. Its very much an egalitarian effort, a nice tasty musical soup that relies on each player’s intuitive response to the other. Brian is a great technician but never serves technique over feel. He always seems to find completely unexpected fills that fit the mood perfectly. Trixie’s ability to switch instruments – alternating guitar, drums and keyboard – aids greatly in their ability to morph the mood throughout the set.
Though Trixie didn’t perform her single, the Etta James classic “I Would Rather Go Blind”, any disappointment was quelled by the inclusion of a new bluesy Black Dub original called “Surely You Were Meant To Be Mine”, which conjures up Stax style gospel soul. It is a little gem waiting to be polished up in the studio and could easily be imagined with an “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” inspired horn section added. This is a grand slam, a killer tune. Another high point, “Silverado”, found Brian sitting on the floor behind his drum kit engrossed in Dan and Trixie’s beautiful harmonies. Dan carried the song along with rolling guitar crescendoes and it was a very intimate performance to a hushed crowd.
Brian and Chris Thomas have a history of work together in the Brian Blade Fellowship and they were locked together in groove-land throughout the night. Chris was smiling broadly, having a great time syncing with Brian, pounding his bass and adding background vocals. I only wish Brian was not sequestered away in the corner of the stage because such a large part of the audience was there to see him. He got an uproarious ovation when introduced.
On stage, weaving himself between the instruments and amps, videographer Adam Vorlick wielded a single camera. Its black & white output was broadcast on the screen behind the band and was also being webcast live across the planet. He did an excellent job of highlighting the group member’s interplay and expanding the show’s visual scope for the Bowery audience. His performance on the camera became an integral part of the show, much in contrast with the canned feel of video broadcast to jumbo-trons at stadium events; a nice touch that elevated the musical experience.
No Lanois show can be without a performance of fan favorite and signature tune “The Maker”. It’s been covered by Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson on albums that Dan produced for them but it is his recording on “Arcadie” that is the benchmark. The double bass guitar track is a key feature of its appeal and hard to reproduce onstage. Black Dub slid into it tentatively but found the pocket during the first verse with Trixie joining the rhythm section on a second set of drums. They ended tight with the song’s powerful coda/refrain “Oh, river rise to the sea”. I’d love to see the dual drum aspect of Black Dub exploited more as it coalesces. A flat out percussion jam would be so right for this band.
My favorite performance of the evening was set closer “Ring the Alarm”, the only nod to Jamaican “dub” that Black Dub ventured.It was a nice opportunity for the band to stretch out, jam, and harmonize on its chanted lyric “ring the alarm, another sound is dying – hey -oh”. The encore included Dan and Brian laying down a quiet atmospheric guitar piece evoking his “Joshua Tree” era desert-scapes.
All together a good showing by a band that is still incubating but has the cojones to do it live in front of an audience. I’m truly looking forward to the upcoming album (set for spring release) and the next live show. In the meantime you can catch a lot of video of Black Dub on the official Daniel Lanois website.
