Tom Dowd & the Language of Music
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Movie Reviews of Tom Dowd & the Language of Music
Movie Review: Best Documentary Ever about the Production of American Pop Music
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have followed popular American music of the last 50 years, you will love this portrait of Atlantic Records engineer Tom Dowd. Using interviews and concert and rehearsal footage, the documentary traces Dowd's career, from the days of direct-to-disc live recording in the late '40s through the advent of digital recording in the '80s and '90s. Dowd was there at every stage and he played a critical role in the development of jazz, soul, and rock. As an engineer, producer, and coach, he helped create some of the most important music from people like John Coltane, Ornette Coleman, and the Modern Jazz Quartet, through Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Drifters, the Coasters, Rufus Thomas, Charles Mingus, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Lynard Skynard and countless others. Dowd appreciated all music, and he had the musical chops as well as the technical expertise to help bring the artists' potential to realization. Fascinating and uplifting, and highly recommended for artists, engineers, producers and anyone else who loves music.Movie Review: George Martin...MOVE OVER!
Summary: 5 Stars
As you learn more about how a record is REALLY made, you quickly become fascinated and impressed by the producers and engineers such as Sir George Martin, referred to by some as the "Fifth Beatle". In America we had our own version of Martin in the form of Tom Dowd. Originally from New York, Tom moved to Miami where he worked at Criteria Studios. A friend of mine, Chuck Kirkpatrick, worked at Criteria with Dowd for several years as an engineer. Chuck was there when Derek and the Dominoes laid down "Layla". "The atmosphere as surreal" said Chuck. But to watch Dowd work his magic was even more impressive. It is interesting to note that the opening of this movie shows Dowd at a control panel re-mixing "Layla".
This was a man who went from being a physics wiz (he worked on the development of the atomic bomb) to being a genius in the world of music. I hope those who preach science and math over music in our schools get the connection. They should watch this flick!
Movie Review: An American Master
Summary: 5 Stars
I happened to catch this film on the Sundance Channel, and was floored by this man Tom Dowd. A name that I had never heard of, and yet one that had been so vital in the deveopment of the music, musicians and recording technology that I grew up with and still love today. Anyone that has or is still playing or recording music owes it to themselves to pick up this DVD. All other music lovers and historians, if you want a glimpse into the mind of the man that was behind some of the best sessions coaxed out of Cream, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Derek and the Dominos, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin. Booker T and the MGs, classic acts from the southlands and primo Jazz sessions caught on the fly by state of the art recording equipment built by Mr. Dowd will find this DVD interesting too. One other note, Tom always worked for hire, he never got rich even though he revolutionized the recording industry. He really loved the music.Movie Review: Tom Dowd gave us the Music....
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow! Was I impressed with this gem. A friend sent me an email with just the URL for the Amazon location for this DVD. We are both old musicians and I should have known better. I trusted him and just ordered it. I was blown away by how much I learned, how much Tom understood how to capture the studio moments and just how influential he was. What a wonderfully interesting and entertaining man he is. The film is top quality and they must have known the sound better be perfect to make this film - awesome clips thoughout and all the interviews are so passionate. It is so much about recording business history and advancements. Tom was certainly the man! If you liked the sound Jerry Wexler heard in "Ray" you will understand how it happened with Tom behind the boards. He would say, "I don't care if it is 92 tracks - what does it SOUND like?" I can't recommend this highly enough. Cheers!Movie Review: Wonderful depiction of a well-rounded man...
Summary: 5 Stars
My goodness, watching this was fun! Mr. Dowd was kind of a recording engineer prodigy who got into music just before World War II. During the war he was at Columbia University, contributing his physics skills to what turned out to be the atomic bomb project. Following the war, when the academic study of physics was deliberately kept from advancing into the atomic age due to national security concerns, Tom returned to music. He became the chief engineer for Atlantic Records, and therefore worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Eric Clapton, and many other acts in a variety of musical forms. Dowd comes off as a fascinating person of great talent, and his life story is told well. There are cameos by many performers, and a long section at the end featuring Mr. Clapton. Everyone who likes 20th Century American music should enjoy this film.