ACL Live Shots

Daniel Lanois' Black Dub

Someone should have reminded Daniel Lanois that it was close to 100 degrees with nearly 100% humidity. Just looking at him attired in his trademark wool cap and buttoned denim jacket made him uncomfortable to watch. Still Black Dub was much more intriguing as a live act than on disc. The dynamics between the quartet matched the steamy atmosphere early and never really let up, except for a segment between drummer Brian Blade and Lanois on pedal steel that was unfocused noodling at its purest. Most surprising was Trixie Whitley, daughter of the late Chris Whitley, whose vocals brought a tough edge to the set that was a lot less dub/dreamy and more straight-ahead blues, gospel, and soul. Blade's drumming was an expected delight; any band led by his endless grooves is bound to be galvanizing, and, for the most part, Black Dub was a mighty force.