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| Mr. Lanois refers to this recording as a �renegade CD�, with a �nice feeling of cottage industry�. His refusal to dress up the basic beauty of these songs with his now-renowned production hocus-pocus was a very courageous gesture. While some might even consider it a �cop-out�, I believe it is more along the lines of a supermodel grown weary of the constant obligation to be cosmetically enhanced when in public. �Sometimes� is not a new song, but it seems to echo a recurring desire on his part to stop the train of progress and just walk for a bit. As well as selections from his early recordings of Acadie (now re-released), For the Love of Winona, and some previously unreleased material, the Rockets CD seems like a tenuous bridge between his two newer releases � Shine and Belladonna. It�s mainly comprised of live and alternate studio recordings of the best songs contained on Shine (�Power of One�, �JJ Leaves LA�, �Sometimes� and �Space Kay�). Audiophiles might cringe upon hearing the first two tracks - �Power of One� and �Sweet Soul Honey�, two otherwise great compositions, as they have that slight fuzziness that results when playing a vinyl album too many times. ** The sound quality gradually improves, though, and listeners who purchase Belladonna will hear a vastly different, stripped-down reprisal of �Panorama�, percussively augmented here. It�s one of Daniel�s trademark "shooting star" style of pedal steel instrumentation, but a bit more fragmentary than �JJ Leaves LA�. Long-time fans will appreciate the harmonious background vocals in �The Maker�, provided by Jim Wilson and Marcus Blake (from Mother Superior). The original version was recorded with Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton. �Rockets� is a raunchy, out-of-character percussive gem with Daniel on screaming Hendrix-like electric guitar, which is worth the price of this CD alone. Brian Blade (also appearing on Shine) provides a sizzling performance here on the drumkit. The piece is not quite on par with U2�s �Bullet the Blue Sky�, but close enough. The live audience responds enthusiastically, as with the reworking of �Sleeping in the Devil�s Bed�, simply called �Devil�s Bed� here. I preferred the more dramatic, rocked-out version of �Space Kay� here to the one on Shine, but either one stands on its own. Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson do a fine accompaniment with Daniel on the somewhat bilingual country-tinged �Stormy Sky�, a laid-back Acadian homage to his Hamilton roots. As with any artist who re-invents his own material, it takes time to attune yourself to the new interpretation. Devoted fans will be remiss in not including Rockets in their collection of Daniel Lanois recordings. NOTE: (Dr.) Daniel Lanois will be receiving a star on Canada's Walk of Fame on June 5/05. ** Please disregard this comment - the quality of these recordings did not transmit clearly through Winamp. Upon using Windows Media Player, the "fuzziness" cleared up - my apologies. Diane |
| ROCKETS - DANIEL LANOIS CD Review by Diane Wells |
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