Brian Eno discovered Canadian producer Daniel Lanois in a studio in Hamilton, Ontario in the early '80s, and invited him to co-produce U2's 1984 release, The Unforgettable Fire. So began one of the most distinctive and auspicious production runs in rock history; from 1986 through 1989 Lanois produced, in succession, 6 classic records that all feature his distinct sound: Peter Gabriel's So (1986); U2's The Joshua Tree (1987; with Eno); 1987's self-titled solo debut from Robbie Robertson; his own Acadie (1989); the Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon (1989); and Dylan's Oh Mercy (1989).  Each one of these records features his signature sound-- a gauzy, pulsating, watery shimmer with French whispers underneath.

By the end of this run, he was one of my favorite producers, and one of my favorite musicians.