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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
 Posted - 07/14/2004 : 11:53:39
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As an old Allman Brothers fan, this caught my eye:
Tom Dowd & The Language Of Music
Posted by Scott Pepper on July 14, 2004 08:48 AM
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/14/084852.php
To make a film about the career of Tom Dowd is to make a film about the history of modern sound recording, which is exactly what director Mark Moormann has done with Tom Dowd & The Language Of Music. Through a careful blend of Dowd's own recollections, interviews, and concert footage, Moormann follows Dowd's genre-spanning influence on some of the greatest artists of the past century.
The array of producers and musicians who appear in the film to sing Dowd's praises is astounding. Highlights include a session with the late Ray Charles and an extended discussion with Eric Clapton. His influence on the music industry is absolutely amazing, ranging from early jazz and blues recording up through the creation of Southern rock and beyond.
Even more amazing, however, is the fact that, outside of the industry, Dowd's name is largely unknown.
Dowd's story begins in his days as a Columbia University engineering student. After being drafted into the army and put to work on what was to eventually be dubbed the Manhattan Project, Dowd returned to school unable to receive college credit for the classified work he had done with the atom bomb. So, instead of returning to his studies, he began working as a sound engineer in a recording studio.
Even early in his career, it was Dowd's light touch that defined his style. His focus on capturing the sound of each individual instrument, unprecedented at the time, would eventually lead him to pioneer the development of eight-track recording. When he eventually made the shift from engineer to producer, Dowd would maintain the same careful feel for every song he worked on, allowing the music, not the recording, to remain in the spotlight.
At the heart of the film is a scene with Dowd alone in his studio. With the original "Layla" masters cued up, he carefully and deliberately walks the viewer through each individual track, from the extended piano break to the frantic dual guitars. As Dowd begins to mix the tracks, he takes on the look of a blind man, enraptured by the sound to the exclusion of all else. It is a small glimpse of a master at work. [snip]
Tom Dowd & The Language Of Music is a superb documentary and should be required viewing for anyone with even the slightest interest in sound recording and music. The film's insight into the life of one of the music industry's great unsung heroes is enough to send any fan back to the linear notes of their favorite records to search for the name Tom Dowd.
Tom Dowd & The Language Of Music is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on August 13, 2004.
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
3648 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2004 : 17:55:29
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not to "derail" this topic, but Jen, Dean or Dave should give you a real title other than 5th Catholic. You are amazing at this archive thing you do. How about you get a title like resident archive resercher, or archivist, or forum librarian, or something like that
and thanks for the link!
I'll be trying to read up about this documentary...
peace!
lbf
Ik heb je oma geneukt met de voorbind dildo van Floops moederhehehahhahehehaha |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2004 : 12:46:22
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I already typed up my thoughts on this cool documentary, so I just used the search button for the topic I started about it, and it worked, so I don't think a title is in order, but thanks anyway. 
Tom Dowd was a really cool guy. I think a lot of people here would really enjoy seeing this. |
Edited by - apl4eris on 07/15/2004 12:46:52 |
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Tom Dowd
FREE JINX CO P.O.E.E. Ring bell for service.