Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub at Rockwood Music Hall

Trixie Whitley and Daniel Lanois played a short, soulful set during CMJ.

Lanois is perhaps one of the most talented and prolific artists/producers in the business. In addition to playing producer, writer, guitarist, and vocalist on his own albums—Lanois has a trophy case roster of artists he has produced from Bob Dylan to Neil Young to U2.

Lanois is a mastermind and at 59 years old he can still rock. His new project Black Dub is a collaboration between jazz drumer Brian Blade, Louisiana bassist Daryl Johnson and singer Trixie Whitley.

Whitley and Lanois played to a packed house at Rockwood Music Hall as part of CMJ’s week long music marathon. The set began with the soulful “Silverado.” Lanois played a 12 string acoustic while Whitley provided sultry powerful vocals. Afterwards, Lanois order two shots of Jack Daniels ostensibly loosening him up to get a little jazzy.

When Lanois switched to electric, the set became a mix of jazzy neo-soul. Whitley stole the show with a voice that sounds like it spent a lifetime practicing in bayou gospel churches and smokey New Orleans jazz clubs.

Whitley sang the groovy track “I Believe In You” which featured a dubbed rhythm section—even without Blade on drums it sounded impressive.

The last few songs of the night saw Whitley and Lanois both on electric guitars faithfully sharing vocals. The performance was magic and it was tangible—it felt like stumbling upon a small jazz club and hearing genius improvisation. It came as a surprise but coming from Lanois it shouldn’t have one it bit.

Catch Black Dub on a short North American tour now through Jan.1

Photos By Joe Weber