Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS & RELATED ARTICLES

Mojo JUNE 2008 - by Sylvie Simmons

DANIEL LANOIS: HERE IS WHAT IT IS

Odd but absorbing 2007 film study of musician-producer's musical life.

A musical travelogue that often stays in the studio, a documentary with little biographical information, this beguiling mix of musical interludes and off-stage conversations makes some fascinating points about music. And not just Lanois'. Before we even get to see him, the camera gives us several black-and-white minutes of Garth Hudson's fingers playing piano. Lanois' favourite instrument is pedal steel - "my little church in a suitcase" - and one fine scene has him composing with steel samples at his console. Even more enjoyable are his philosophical chats with Brian Eno, to whom he reveals his early love of penny whistles. Eno, his sometime collaborator, advises him to make a film about "how beautiful things grow out of shit". Lanois just wants a film "about beauty" (maybe the reason for the annoying 'arty' barely-clad dancer). There's also some gripping performances by Lanois' clients, ranging from Sinéad O'Connor to Aaron Neville.