Daniel Lanois Clip - Sho~Bud LDG (Original Approach)

[Chris LeDrew]

There's something refreshing about this approach. He seems to be connecting with the guitar in a really unique way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9yXDQaX ... re=related

[Marc Jenkins]

Sweet stuff!

I read somewhere that Lanois likens playing pedal steel to prayer...

[Michael Haverbeck]

wow thats the way to start with when you dont know anything about i belive.

[Richard Sevigny]

I've always been a fan of this guy. That clip only reinforces it

[Ron !]

Yeah and not only that.....That's an LDG.One of the first.

OUCCHHH........a lot of people trade their car for that

[Bob Taillefer]

I love Daniel Lanois' approach to playing the steel guitar.

Although you can hear the soul of his country roots, he has decided to take the steel in a different direction.

Thanks for posting this video Chris!

Regards

Bob

[Chris LeDrew]

My pleasure, Bob.

A Lanois quote, from the youtube page:

"I played in lots of country bands as a kid. I admire the tradition a lot. But I regard myself as an innovator. I start out in the tradition that I respect a lot, but then I use my own tunings and magnify the details that interest me."

With those wide strums, I highly doubt he's working from the standard E9 tuning. Any ideas as to his setup, anyone? Maybe Al Brisco has his copedent.

[Marc Jenkins]

I did a bit of digging, and found this:

Kenley: What is your pedal steel tuning (including pedals and knee levers)?

Daniel: I use a standard Nashville E9 and I change a couple of the notes. I only use the two standard foot pedals and don’t use any knee levers. I change the tuning of the strings relative to what song I am playing. Sometimes, I will take the second from the top string (Major 7) and may drop that. The other thing I do is put two low E’s. The third string from the bottom is an E and I make the next one an E too. That’s it.

This is an older (2004) interview, and I do seem him using the knee levers in the youtube video. My suspicion is that he's constantly messing with it, like everything else! The interview is here:

http://www.neuhouse.com/acadie/interview_2004.htm

[Ryan Gimpert]

Thanks for posting this Chris.

I remember watching a 'Classic Albums' for U2's 'The Joshua Tree' and in the studio Daniel demonstrated on a Pro-1 some parts he played on the album. It's difficult to hear on the finished track (can't remember what song), but it was obvious he a unique approach to the instrument and a fine taste in guitars.