Belladonna

07/12/2005 | Anti 

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All Music Guide Review

Right from the onset of "Two Worlds" it's a refreshing splash in the face to hear Daniel Lanois' pedal steel playing dance around a bed of guitar feedback; it serves as a reference point to some of his work on U2's The Joshua Tree. Like 2003's Shine, Belladonna reveals a side of Lanois that is a treat to see. The vulnerable, contemplative side that was such a critical element to his work with Brian Eno is more than evident, and his slide guitar playing also highlights just how important his contributions were to the notable releases of Eno's solo catalog. The interplay between musicians on the full ensemble tracks is focused and meticulous, with each member knowing exactly when to play and more importantly, when not to. But above all this, it's Lanois' guitar that tells the story and is the anchor of the 13-song cycle; a homage to a lost love with Latin and desert country influences embedded within the center of the record. It's every bit as focused and accomplished as anything in Lanois' catalog, and die-hard fans will be wanting more long after the disc winds down. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • time
  • 1
  • Two Worlds
  • 2:03

  • 2
  • Sketches
  • 4:23

  • 3
  • Oaxaca
  • 2:49

  • 4
  • Agave
  • 1:58

  • 5
  • Telco
  • 3:34

  • 6
  • Desert Rose
  • 1:51

  • 7
  • Carla
  • 2:02

  • 8
  • The Deadly Nightshade
  • 4:02

  • 9
  • Dusty
  • 1:38

  • 10
  • Frozen
  • 3:17

  • 11
  • Panorama
  • 3:01

  • 12
  • Flametop Green
  • 2:27

  • 13
  • Todos Santos
  • 5:31

    • Credits

    Notes

    from Anti Records: When Brian Eno recorded his landmark ambient releases of the 1980's and '90's, he transformed our perception of space, music, and performance. His collaborator on those albums, and on his subsequent ground-breaking production work with U2, was Daniel Lanois. Lanois took the techniques he developed with Eno and went on to produce career albums for Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, and Emmylou Harris, earning him Rolling Stone's accolade as "the most important record producer to emerge in the '80s." Now the journey comes full circle, with Lanois’ new release Belladonna – an instrumental record that captures the often tense emotional dynamics of Eno's pioneering albums. Anchored by Lanois' emotive pedal-steel guitar playing, the album also features powerful contributions from master pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Brian Blade (Dylan, Joni Mitchell). Dense textures evolve into delicate Mexican melodies, capturing the disquieting serenity of the landscapes of the American southwest. As a realization of work begun so many years ago with Eno, Belladonna is Lanois' defining moment.

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