I saw the whole documentary -- it's available on Netflix. I highly recommend it! Every time I see this guy, especially in this clip, I wish I had known and married him. Really. I would have married him.
RIP TO THE MAN WHO GAVE US THE GREATEST LIVE RECORDING OF ALL TIME. LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST FROM THE ABB. FORTY ONE YEARS LATER WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REALLY GREAT LIVE RELEASES NOTHING HAS SURPASSED IT'S MONUMENTAL GREATNESS!
@luvtotruck: And it would have been a very different, inferior album if not for Tom's involvement, which was accidental as Tom was to have been in Italy during its recording. Recorded with horns the first night, they were not a good fit and it didn't work out well, as Tom pointed out to the band during a late-night playback of the tapes uptown at Atlantic Records studio. He persuaded them to ditch the backing horns--retaining only Thom Ducet on Blues harp on the final recording.
Tom's last good conversation with me, other than scolding me one last time for calling him intoxicated and messing up his answering machine with a long message while he was waiting to receive another message while in session in California from Greg Allman, was the simple but oh so true words to me of , "keep the faith," Gregg scolded me once in NYC, for cursing in front of a lady once also, I was a mess back then!!! I hear Greg and Tom are both doing great ," These Days."
Mr. Dowd tells the story of the meeting between Duane Allman and Eric Clapton with so much enthousiasm and joy, it makes me happy just to watch. The way he explains the song, and tells how he is rediscovering it again by listening, is so charming, really touching.
to be honest I wish these days to be a million people like Tom Dowd ! this guy was real genius ! I saw this documentary 3 times on Romanian National Televison(with no advertising breaks !!!) and each time was even better ! this documentary is in my humble opinion a MASTERPIECE ! we're so lucky it was a man like Tom Dowd ! too bad his gone !
I would drag my balls through a mile of broken glass if it meant I could play with that soundboard and mix and match the different components of the song...
Probablt the best music documentary ever, and sadly, it has disappeared off my dvr/tivo list.(My fault, I'm sure) Thank you for posting my favorite part - but the rest of the doc is so interesting! Tom Dowd was a uniquely talented individual.
This just shows what a hell of song this is - even Tom Dowd struggles to track all the 'voices' (whether human or guitar) which, as he says, are not even limited to the fretboard (or, I would argue, this earth).
Geniuses all! Tom seems like just such a terrific guy. I would have loved to have met him, had a beer or two and jabbered about Columbia University, physics, recording engineering, and what it was like to record what is perhaps one of the most epic collaborations in classic rock history. The first experiment of the Manhattan project was carried out in the basement of the physics hall at Columbia, on 120th Street in Harlem. Oh, Tom... I am so glad for this taped interview!
Tom Dowd seemed like one of the sweetest people ever. I watched a documentary once and it talked about his involvement in the invention of the atom bomb, I couldnt believe it!!! So he was a genius in more ways than one. All that aside, he will be missed by many, that I am sure of.
@SuperStig23 A good engineer must first have good talent to work with that respects the engineering aspect. What I thought was cool was when Tom elevated the bass to the foreground. This changed the entire feeling of the song for the better.
the rock and roll hall of to me is pretty much a joke to me anyhow.it should be the top 40 hall of fame.wheres Johnny Winter,Robin Trower and so many more deserving people.I think they need to start and Real rockers hall of fame!
Yo,I know this footage exists,I really want to see my man tom dress ronnie and skynyrd down saying"lookyou boys need to"step it up""i just think it would be humorous.What a GUY!!
I watched this documentary DVD "The Language of Music" featuring Tom Dowd = it is a masterpiece! If you have ANY interest in music, this is a MUST SEE film / more like a documentary. Tom Dowd is a F'ing genius. I mean, this blew me away, this man is responsible for some of the greatest music EVER! AND, his way with music and dedication to the making of THE SOUND is just unreal. He should be mentioned right there at the very top of the musical GODS! BUY/RENT this DVD = best thing I've seen!
It was such a joy to watch this.. You could see this older man Mr. Dowd.. the years just dissolved as he brought up the diffrent faders. Just awesome.. Eric Clapton is still one of my favorite artists of all time.. He continues to grow and evolve in my opinion,, and is still just as humble in his own abilities.. and is still learning and in awe of so many other muscians.. Awesome video... Totally makes youtube worth having the web.. Thank you for your post . :)
How could there be one dumb shit that gave this a thumbs down.Tom was the genius behind most all of the music that we enjoy from the 50's-90's in one way or another.
were Duane & Eric in the stained glass window? also, I find a need to point out that clapton's first real job with his grandfather in construction was staining glass & designing stain glass.
When a guy who has worked with all the above artists says that LAYLA was the best record he ever worked on; it is quite a compliment to say the least.
This IS one of the best part of the parts of the documentary Tom Dowd the Language of Music... Thanks for that even posting so more people can appreciate this exquisite Eric Clapton - Duane Allman duet... and the extraordinary talent of Tom Dowd.
When I was 12 I attended a summer camp in PA and Tom Dowd's son bunked in the next cabin, in fact, he went by the nickname Bunky. Anyway, Bunky told a bunch of us his dad was in the music business and could get us any albums we wanted. Long story short, we gave in our lists and on parents day we each had an envelope with our bunks with the records we requested. I'll never forget the kindness of this man doing this for a bunch of scruffy camp kids.
@rr8324036 You knew how to pick bunkmates. What a great story! : ) I'm not surprised that Tom Dowd would go out of his way to share his love of music with you kids. The man was a genius, and it's a treat to watch him go back through the Layla session and others. His knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious. You can't help but love it, and learn something too...he was truly a national treasure. Thank the powers that be, that he met the other national treasures The Allmans!
Was the bird chirping done via guitars by Duane? Eric? Or, was it recorded separately? There's a rumor that Mel Torme was recording a song in the same studio and had the sound of birds chirping included.
Eric/Duane/Tom all disagreed on how Layla should end, but Tom recommended adding in the Torme bird tracks. After Eric/Duane signed off, Tom asked Torme's people permission, which they granted.
After almost 40 years...and many thanks to this one video, I NOW understand how Duane made the "little sparrow" chirp (see 7:54) at the end of this other-worldly piece. There were no special effects for that. Thank you, THX138Driver.
Thank you for posting this video; the shear passion of this recording still brings tears to my eyes to this day, 40 years after the magic that was this session. Tom Dowd was and still is one of the greatest engineers/ producers of all time. Thanks again!
Used to have sparrows nest beside a window and I'd play that song and they'd sing back to the end of it where Duane and Eric make bird chirps on the strings...
I love to see someones excitement over something so simple as looking into there past. I feel like i have to give Tom the praise the deserves for being such a proficient and interesting producer. Too bad he is dead.
oh yeah, and Todd Rundgren invented a device that allowed you to remix classic rock tracks (in 1994) and not one stupid record company was interested. He had a tent and advertised it at woodstock 94.
I can't believe that he didn't mention drummer Jim Gordon.
He wrote and plays the piano at the end. He was an amazing studio musician noted as the first drummer with an identifiable "sound" look up his incredible discography. Oh yeah, he also was schizophrenic and murdered his mother in 1983 (no he really did)
The Murdering his mother / Schizophrenic bit was probably why Jim Gordon wasn't mentioned.... Clapton says in his book that he thought Gordon was one of the best rock'n roll drummers he ever worked with. Still, the guy killed his mother..... sad.
When it's broken down like that, you can appreciate the brilliance that went into the song. I hope one day they could release classics like this with the option of adjusting every track to your liking. Imagine how many versions you could come up with.
I had the privilege to know Tom Dowd. He's one of the most amzing people I ever met. Love you Tom.... Je t'aime et j'adore ta musique. Will never forget you...
I think "The Language of Music" is the best documentary on music I have ever seen. Informative and entertaining. I have such respect for Tom Dowd. Thanks for posting my favorite part!
3:52 on .... Duane is god..... but I'll let you off :)
I won't say Eric cant play slide, but he can't play slide like THAT.... Amusingly the song for which Eric will be forever remembered, but the guitar solo ON THE RECORD isn't his.... its Duane's. Granted, Eric "joins in" so you could say its a combined effort :) but still.....
Compare this video with what's being produced today for music. Today's artists, and I use the term loosely, couldn't carry any of these guys' water. The next time you see a young kid with his I-pod up his rear end, jerk the head phones off and force him to sit in a chair and start at the beginning. And let Tom Dowd do the driving.
As Alan Parsons observed, great producers "played" the mix console and made it another instrument. Something we've lost when mixing "in the box". What a master Mr. Dowd was.
yes in the beginning...the back- church wall with eric and duane (and jimi right to eric) that´s in Miami Hard rock cafe ... i was there 3 weeks ago... fantastic!
Tom Dowd was a trained as a nuclear physicist in the mid-40's, and worked on the Manhattan Project. After the war, his top-secret work was not recognized when he went to get a degree. So, he turned to music, and the rest is history.
America lost a nuclear physicist, but we gained one hell of a sound engineer.
thank you for this video, the most interesting video of youtube, for us musicians this means a lot, thank you again and thank you Tom, for being there...
I would drag my balls through a mile of broken glass if it meant I could play with that soundboard to listen to all the different components of the song individually...
I have "The Language of Music" on DVD but I haven't watched it in awhile. Seeing this excerpt just now has moved me to tears. I feel so lucky to have gotten a chance to meet Tom Dowd. The last time was in Florida in 2002. He attended an Allman Brothers show and sat in his wheelchair watching the show from the side of the stage. I noticed that every one of the band members made a point to stop by and chat with him to pay their respects. I agree with bigdave -- he deserves recognition.
Why Tom Dowd hasn't been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a complete travesty of justice. Going back to the 50's with Ray Charles and his work with Derek and the Dominos, The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tinsley Ellis and countless others. INDUCT TOM DOWD INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME NOW!!!!!!!
@bigdaveonbass Holy shit, you're right!!! WTF?? Shit, I just assumed he was in. There is no doubt in my mind he'll get in, but what difference does it make now, he's dead. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the reason he was never inducted is that it would seem like a sort of nepotism. There were so many Atlantic related artists inducted over the years that inducting him would appear as if they only induct their own. It might be political.
What I wouldn't give to play with that control board and mix and match the guitar parts. I love Tom Dowd's enthusiasm after nearly 30 years. Genius at work.
Man this was phenomenal, it's amazing how well Duane and Eric played together after just meeting each other. And it's good to see the man behind the magic enjoy it all over again.
solephonic: this clip is from 'The Language of Music' documentary on Tom. I watch it every few months and never tire of it. You just won't fathom the impact he has had on modern recording techniques.
Tom Dowd is the kind of person who comes along once a century, for he has produced more historic recording sessions than any engineer or producer out there. Google: "Tom Dowd Discography". Beside being such a musical giant, he was a true gentleman, always positive, always creating. He is truly missed. God Bless you, Tom...
I love those little bird calls that Duane used to do off the end of the neck. I think that he'd be proud to know that Butch's nephew has his old slot, and quite proud of how much Derek has learned from him--especially given the quality of that young man's playing.
Amazing... seeing him moving his hands around, flipping switches up and down, feeling the music is incredible. Listen to the enthusiasm in his voice 30 years later!
Without question, Tom Dowd was an incredibly talented engineer and producer and among the cream of the crop for his day. Remember, this was in the days before fader automation; something we all take for granted today. However, there are still very talented engineers. The digital age has changed things but the talent is still abundant.
so if you STEAL your music online, you are killing the music industry. People are job less because of people like you who dont want to pay 12 dollar for a CD. yet you complain of how bad music is these days.....its because you are slowly killing us by downloading music with out paying. one day recorded music wont exist because it will merely be a hobby, and no longer a Profession. DONT STEAL MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!
CD sales have been steadily dropping since 2000 and they're on their way out. The major labels refuse to accept the free exchange of information which is why the independents are about to take over. CDs are gone, musicians are going to be paid for actually doing shows again, and the market is going to open up. Everything great that happens in music in the next ten years is OWED to those who "stole" music online.
These were the days when music was beautiful. Engineers like Tom will never exists again. Some one who truly loved music WAYYYYY more than the glamour and the money. Tom was all about great sounding music and the soul of it. I feel sad as an engineer because this kind of " studio magic" if you will, will never exist. Engineers are loosing jobs daily because people dont want to pay for their music any more. people dont realize how much work and time goes into recording. this costs money.
Oh come on! Aspiring to be Tom Dowd, that's one thing BUT the "same soul" as Tom Dowd? You'll always be about 100 years behind Dowd! Just look at the list of people he worked with from the 40's on, it will NEVER be matched.
Don't get so defensive. I don't mean he IS Tom Dowd, I just meant he is one of the rare ones you can find these days coming from the same place - same ethic, instinct, knowhow, creativity, etc. (just ask Willie Nelson, who employed him as his head engineer for a decade until he realized the man needed his own place). People have to carry on such a legacy, and I'm just saying there are some out there.
This is taken from the DVD "Tom Dowd and The Language of Music". I totally recommend it. The entire film is excellent and gives an amazing insight to Dowd's genius.
This is very very cool. So glad I found this and thank you for posting!
305bigdad 1 week ago
Love You Tom;)
VendettaPtown 2 weeks ago
It's hard to believe Clapton still feels unsure about his abilities.
essertpitay 1 month ago
I saw the whole documentary -- it's available on Netflix. I highly recommend it! Every time I see this guy, especially in this clip, I wish I had known and married him. Really. I would have married him.
lyricarol 1 month ago
RIP TO THE MAN WHO GAVE US THE GREATEST LIVE RECORDING OF ALL TIME. LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST FROM THE ABB. FORTY ONE YEARS LATER WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REALLY GREAT LIVE RELEASES NOTHING HAS SURPASSED IT'S MONUMENTAL GREATNESS!
luvtotruck 1 month ago
@luvtotruck: And it would have been a very different, inferior album if not for Tom's involvement, which was accidental as Tom was to have been in Italy during its recording. Recorded with horns the first night, they were not a good fit and it didn't work out well, as Tom pointed out to the band during a late-night playback of the tapes uptown at Atlantic Records studio. He persuaded them to ditch the backing horns--retaining only Thom Ducet on Blues harp on the final recording.
aarfeld 1 month ago
Screw the "Dos Equis" guy! Tom Dowd is the world's most interesting man!
PeterKleinhenzVideos 2 months ago 3
Tom's last good conversation with me, other than scolding me one last time for calling him intoxicated and messing up his answering machine with a long message while he was waiting to receive another message while in session in California from Greg Allman, was the simple but oh so true words to me of , "keep the faith," Gregg scolded me once in NYC, for cursing in front of a lady once also, I was a mess back then!!! I hear Greg and Tom are both doing great ," These Days."
neilcarswell 2 months ago
Mr. Dowd tells the story of the meeting between Duane Allman and Eric Clapton with so much enthousiasm and joy, it makes me happy just to watch. The way he explains the song, and tells how he is rediscovering it again by listening, is so charming, really touching.
DirkjeA 4 months ago
he's wearing the Allman Brothers Band mushroom necklace.
impala327 4 months ago
Genius
CBGDS1 4 months ago
My name is Tom DowdLE, I love music and I wish I could be a millionth of what Tom Dowd was.
biograssman 5 months ago
to be honest I wish these days to be a million people like Tom Dowd ! this guy was real genius ! I saw this documentary 3 times on Romanian National Televison(with no advertising breaks !!!) and each time was even better ! this documentary is in my humble opinion a MASTERPIECE ! we're so lucky it was a man like Tom Dowd ! too bad his gone !
marcianpetrescu 5 months ago
Shanegulartennis I was thinking the same excact thing.
MrMattRocker 5 months ago
eric and duane together. fucking crazy.
hershysquirts187 6 months ago
I saw this on PBS, amazing work
patrat99 6 months ago
Who disliked this video?!
astarkey08 7 months ago 2
Duane sounds like a violin.
goldenchopsticks 7 months ago
I jUst Watched the movie two days ago at the Los Angles Recording School Great Stuff...
ThaRitzZ 8 months ago
I would drag my balls through a mile of broken glass if it meant I could play with that soundboard and mix and match the different components of the song...
GaMeRuInEr 8 months ago
About 3:44 and on = beauty. Those solos don't even need the rest of the parts of the song, they can stand alone and still be spectacular.
lindseywashere1010 8 months ago
One of my very favorite songs. This is interesting.
imogenefarmgirl 9 months ago
Probablt the best music documentary ever, and sadly, it has disappeared off my dvr/tivo list.(My fault, I'm sure) Thank you for posting my favorite part - but the rest of the doc is so interesting! Tom Dowd was a uniquely talented individual.
justmusicandme 9 months ago
When ever I am mixing live bands I always try to think how would Tom mix them it then makes it easier to do. He is the best there ever was!
bugnstump2005 10 months ago
Amazing documentary! I just love how he cracks up at the end when he hears Duane's bird....
lpmccook 10 months ago
Tom Dowd is my Hero all soundmen owe this Genius for showing that what we do IS a art......
clarksrusia 10 months ago
What a gem!!!!
LiveVideoAZ 11 months ago
This Guy Was A Musical Genius!
HowieReportingLive 11 months ago
This just shows what a hell of song this is - even Tom Dowd struggles to track all the 'voices' (whether human or guitar) which, as he says, are not even limited to the fretboard (or, I would argue, this earth).
anthonythirteen 11 months ago
Geniuses all! Tom seems like just such a terrific guy. I would have loved to have met him, had a beer or two and jabbered about Columbia University, physics, recording engineering, and what it was like to record what is perhaps one of the most epic collaborations in classic rock history. The first experiment of the Manhattan project was carried out in the basement of the physics hall at Columbia, on 120th Street in Harlem. Oh, Tom... I am so glad for this taped interview!
videotater 11 months ago
His little laugh at the end is priceless. Mr.Dowd seemed like a very humble and loving person. God Bless him.
thatisMRS2u 1 year ago
Tom Dowd seemed like one of the sweetest people ever. I watched a documentary once and it talked about his involvement in the invention of the atom bomb, I couldnt believe it!!! So he was a genius in more ways than one. All that aside, he will be missed by many, that I am sure of.
Rictorcharlie10 1 year ago 3
Like a father visiting his child after 30 years...simply amazing
designermite 1 year ago
Eric meets Duane...classic LP...great memories
designermite 1 year ago
So many people are completely ignorant of the skill & talent it takes to be a good
engineer, the good ones are often great musicians in their own right but also have
the extra technological skill to be able to master the equipment of a recording studio
and use that as a kind of "instrument" too, without them most bands would sound like they recorded their album in a garage with bad acoustics. :)
SuperStig23 1 year ago
@SuperStig23 A good engineer must first have good talent to work with that respects the engineering aspect. What I thought was cool was when Tom elevated the bass to the foreground. This changed the entire feeling of the song for the better.
Robbob9933 11 months ago
the rock and roll hall of to me is pretty much a joke to me anyhow.it should be the top 40 hall of fame.wheres Johnny Winter,Robin Trower and so many more deserving people.I think they need to start and Real rockers hall of fame!
matchingnumbers 1 year ago
Yo,I know this footage exists,I really want to see my man tom dress ronnie and skynyrd down saying"lookyou boys need to"step it up""i just think it would be humorous.What a GUY!!
charliedog77able 1 year ago
@bezee003 i love a piano
rooster62379 1 year ago
"I Love A Piano"
TheOldBallgameFilm 1 year ago
this is incredible
ForeverMan91 1 year ago
I watched this documentary DVD "The Language of Music" featuring Tom Dowd = it is a masterpiece! If you have ANY interest in music, this is a MUST SEE film / more like a documentary. Tom Dowd is a F'ing genius. I mean, this blew me away, this man is responsible for some of the greatest music EVER! AND, his way with music and dedication to the making of THE SOUND is just unreal. He should be mentioned right there at the very top of the musical GODS! BUY/RENT this DVD = best thing I've seen!
kingcrab51 1 year ago 3
It was such a joy to watch this.. You could see this older man Mr. Dowd.. the years just dissolved as he brought up the diffrent faders. Just awesome.. Eric Clapton is still one of my favorite artists of all time.. He continues to grow and evolve in my opinion,, and is still just as humble in his own abilities.. and is still learning and in awe of so many other muscians.. Awesome video... Totally makes youtube worth having the web.. Thank you for your post . :)
stinger1956 1 year ago 8
Duane is the greatest of all time and Dowd is a genius. Can't believe he's not in the Rock N Roll HOF.
josh1988ist 1 year ago 4
Goodfellas!
paulbarraza 1 year ago
Love Tom's take on Layla!
NNYSPAZ 1 year ago 3
How could there be one dumb shit that gave this a thumbs down.Tom was the genius behind most all of the music that we enjoy from the 50's-90's in one way or another.
SIXSTRING63 1 year ago 2
were Duane & Eric in the stained glass window? also, I find a need to point out that clapton's first real job with his grandfather in construction was staining glass & designing stain glass.
9reasy5am 1 year ago 2
Tom Dowd......just incredible.....
TonyBeazley 1 year ago
When a guy who has worked with all the above artists says that LAYLA was the best record he ever worked on; it is quite a compliment to say the least.
missionrd100 1 year ago
Don't like that song Layla, at least the way Eric Clapton did it.
TaterGumfries 1 year ago
@bigdaveonbass +1 ....!
studiochap 1 year ago
Awesome Video. Always wanted to hear Eric's take on the Layla sessions.
mojoman566 1 year ago
This IS one of the best part of the parts of the documentary Tom Dowd the Language of Music... Thanks for that even posting so more people can appreciate this exquisite Eric Clapton - Duane Allman duet... and the extraordinary talent of Tom Dowd.
VenaB 1 year ago
WOW! that was just beautiful. i have tears in my eyes. thx for posting!!
suzabelle162 1 year ago 2
RIP TOM DOWD HE IS TO ENGINEERS WHAT LOUIE WAS TO TRUMPET OR MARLEY WAS TO REAGGE A TRUE AMERICAN PIONEER IN RECORDING!
TMGPREZ 1 year ago 5
When I was 12 I attended a summer camp in PA and Tom Dowd's son bunked in the next cabin, in fact, he went by the nickname Bunky. Anyway, Bunky told a bunch of us his dad was in the music business and could get us any albums we wanted. Long story short, we gave in our lists and on parents day we each had an envelope with our bunks with the records we requested. I'll never forget the kindness of this man doing this for a bunch of scruffy camp kids.
rr8324036 1 year ago 19
@rr8324036 You knew how to pick bunkmates. What a great story! : ) I'm not surprised that Tom Dowd would go out of his way to share his love of music with you kids. The man was a genius, and it's a treat to watch him go back through the Layla session and others. His knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious. You can't help but love it, and learn something too...he was truly a national treasure. Thank the powers that be, that he met the other national treasures The Allmans!
screeningmimi 6 months ago
@rr8324036 hey man,what were the albums you got?
MaaaarrJ 3 months ago
The "chirp" was Duane and his slide, way up on the neck. I know....I was there.
ROCKSTARCRANE 1 year ago 2
Was the bird chirping done via guitars by Duane? Eric? Or, was it recorded separately? There's a rumor that Mel Torme was recording a song in the same studio and had the sound of birds chirping included.
Eric/Duane/Tom all disagreed on how Layla should end, but Tom recommended adding in the Torme bird tracks. After Eric/Duane signed off, Tom asked Torme's people permission, which they granted.
Any truth to this?
mcgurkryans 1 year ago
Before I saw this video, I didn't even notice there was an acoustic guitar in the song (7:42)
Joe22c 1 year ago
Tom Dowd is so cool,Kinda sounds and acts like the Late GREAT Dennis Hopper!
CHANEL97 1 year ago
I luv how tom is so connected n passionate about his music, i will never be in the same league as this guy.
MooseOnBass 1 year ago
'Good Godfrey Daniels' Thank you Tom.
fenerio 1 year ago 3
This was a great documentary
PeterMayer 1 year ago 3
One of the best documentaries I have seen. Thanks for posting this wonderful portion of the doc on youtube.
justmusicandme 1 year ago 4
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kingmojopin0 1 year ago
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kingmojopin0 1 year ago
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johnnyutahification 1 year ago
After almost 40 years...and many thanks to this one video, I NOW understand how Duane made the "little sparrow" chirp (see 7:54) at the end of this other-worldly piece. There were no special effects for that. Thank you, THX138Driver.
sustayne 1 year ago 2
Dowd reminds me of Scorcese. I love Tom Dowd. He's one of my heros. I love Skydog too! Thanks for posting this.
sparkomatic 1 year ago
This video is absolutely wonderful; i get goose bumps
travese311 1 year ago
It's in the tips of their fingers...it's not in the knobs or how loud they play, it's touch. Could not have been better said.
brauncrw7 1 year ago
The greatest producer ever, was lucky to have worked with him
Obelisk2290 1 year ago
Thank you for posting this video; the shear passion of this recording still brings tears to my eyes to this day, 40 years after the magic that was this session. Tom Dowd was and still is one of the greatest engineers/ producers of all time. Thanks again!
gboy27 2 years ago 4
Holy cow!!! What a video. Magic!
geysergary 2 years ago
AHHHH tom!!!!
ragingstorm33 2 years ago
Eric is THE BOMB; seriously!!
The duo Eric and Duane OMG !! Can't beat these vibes ^^ 3:50 is just magic
Thx for this rare video
Caliburnum 2 years ago
3:29 and 7:47 There was a true synchronicity involved, these creative souls had a unity of purpose for that place in time, that remains timeless.
FullRaidersAlchemist 2 years ago
My favourite song ever! Dissected! (In a good way) =)
Joe22c 2 years ago
Used to have sparrows nest beside a window and I'd play that song and they'd sing back to the end of it where Duane and Eric make bird chirps on the strings...
FullRaidersAlchemist 2 years ago
@FullRaidersAlchemist
CHILLS....
Vic1206 9 months ago
I am currently doing a thesis of the mastermind for my masters - what an enhancement/find! Magnifico!
blisscoach5593 2 years ago 2
Thank you for posting this! Mankind is better for it.
Strings4notes 2 years ago 3
Espectacular!!
este tema "Layla"...es una obra maestradel Rockn'roll ...un documento notable
odannon 2 years ago
Genius!
Timmosk22 2 years ago
what a beautiful video.
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
I love to see someones excitement over something so simple as looking into there past. I feel like i have to give Tom the praise the deserves for being such a proficient and interesting producer. Too bad he is dead.
JustMeandThemandMe 2 years ago
I'd love to have those isolated tracks!!!
AutoFirePad 2 years ago 4
The reason that Tom Dowd was so good at what he did is because he really loves music. He is like a happy little kid in that studio.
I am sure that was so proud of the Layla album
shaneguitartennis 2 years ago 11
Tommy.. One amazing guy
FredFrick16 2 years ago 2
oh yeah, and Todd Rundgren invented a device that allowed you to remix classic rock tracks (in 1994) and not one stupid record company was interested. He had a tent and advertised it at woodstock 94.
HDHDAVIDSON 2 years ago
I can't believe that he didn't mention drummer Jim Gordon.
He wrote and plays the piano at the end. He was an amazing studio musician noted as the first drummer with an identifiable "sound" look up his incredible discography. Oh yeah, he also was schizophrenic and murdered his mother in 1983 (no he really did)
HDHDAVIDSON 2 years ago
The Murdering his mother / Schizophrenic bit was probably why Jim Gordon wasn't mentioned.... Clapton says in his book that he thought Gordon was one of the best rock'n roll drummers he ever worked with. Still, the guy killed his mother..... sad.
asm1 2 years ago
When it's broken down like that, you can appreciate the brilliance that went into the song. I hope one day they could release classics like this with the option of adjusting every track to your liking. Imagine how many versions you could come up with.
musiccuts 2 years ago 5
3:48 - 4:43 is pure musical orgasm, brilliant!!!
beatallica 2 years ago 3
7:54 the song ain't over until you hear the bird chirp :)
GaMeRuInEr 2 years ago 6
reply to:GaMaRuinEr (3 weeks ago): Thanks for mentioning this. Thumbs up!
justmusicandme 2 years ago
"Amen" to the bird chirp
jackrkr 2 years ago
which Duane did on the slide way up off the fretboard.... beautiful
fitz715 2 years ago 2
I had the privilege to know Tom Dowd. He's one of the most amzing people I ever met. Love you Tom.... Je t'aime et j'adore ta musique. Will never forget you...
lailluminatie 2 years ago 4
I think "The Language of Music" is the best documentary on music I have ever seen. Informative and entertaining. I have such respect for Tom Dowd. Thanks for posting my favorite part!
justmusicandme 2 years ago 4
Mr . Multi-track R.I.P
i just had a lesson in class about him and man did it open my eyes just an amazing guy
3wc 2 years ago 6
ERIC IS GOD
andrewmartins87 2 years ago
3:52 on .... Duane is god..... but I'll let you off :)
I won't say Eric cant play slide, but he can't play slide like THAT.... Amusingly the song for which Eric will be forever remembered, but the guitar solo ON THE RECORD isn't his.... its Duane's. Granted, Eric "joins in" so you could say its a combined effort :) but still.....
asm1 2 years ago 2
Compare this video with what's being produced today for music. Today's artists, and I use the term loosely, couldn't carry any of these guys' water. The next time you see a young kid with his I-pod up his rear end, jerk the head phones off and force him to sit in a chair and start at the beginning. And let Tom Dowd do the driving.
tdfd023 2 years ago 4
He's mixed so many people. The list is huge.
PeterMayer 2 years ago 3
As Alan Parsons observed, great producers "played" the mix console and made it another instrument. Something we've lost when mixing "in the box". What a master Mr. Dowd was.
lenny656 2 years ago 3
yes in the beginning...the back- church wall with eric and duane (and jimi right to eric) that´s in Miami Hard rock cafe ... i was there 3 weeks ago... fantastic!
Danielsobotta 2 years ago
Tom Dowd was a trained as a nuclear physicist in the mid-40's, and worked on the Manhattan Project. After the war, his top-secret work was not recognized when he went to get a degree. So, he turned to music, and the rest is history.
America lost a nuclear physicist, but we gained one hell of a sound engineer.
deyoungaza 2 years ago 9
thank you for this video, the most interesting video of youtube, for us musicians this means a lot, thank you again and thank you Tom, for being there...
purgators 2 years ago 4
I would drag my balls through a mile of broken glass if it meant I could play with that soundboard to listen to all the different components of the song individually...
GaMeRuInEr 3 years ago 16
Oh yes... speechless....
asm1 3 years ago 2
thats the greatest youtube comment ever
fawsta 3 years ago 27
lol
What I meant was speechless at the different bits of the solo.. not the ball dragging bit :P
3.50 on is just..... :D - and yes I want to borrow that soundboard and tape for an hour or 3 as well :-)
asm1 3 years ago 2
That was awesome; what an overlooked profession, sadly.
blaster1985 3 years ago
Great stuff..I enjoyed this alot!
tundradog 3 years ago
Oh, my.
I have "The Language of Music" on DVD but I haven't watched it in awhile. Seeing this excerpt just now has moved me to tears. I feel so lucky to have gotten a chance to meet Tom Dowd. The last time was in Florida in 2002. He attended an Allman Brothers show and sat in his wheelchair watching the show from the side of the stage. I noticed that every one of the band members made a point to stop by and chat with him to pay their respects. I agree with bigdave -- he deserves recognition.
rcurrens 3 years ago
Why Tom Dowd hasn't been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a complete travesty of justice. Going back to the 50's with Ray Charles and his work with Derek and the Dominos, The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tinsley Ellis and countless others. INDUCT TOM DOWD INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME NOW!!!!!!!
bigdaveonbass 3 years ago 83
Damn youtube...why can't I give more than one thumbs up?
Amen, brother.
anthonythirteen 2 years ago 4
@bigdaveonbass; Relax, dude, he is in the Hall of Fame.
tomthefunky 1 year ago
@tomthefunky No he isn't. Got to the RRHOF website and use the interactive inductee search tool. He can't be found.
bigdaveonbass 1 year ago
@bigdaveonbass Holy shit, you're right!!! WTF?? Shit, I just assumed he was in. There is no doubt in my mind he'll get in, but what difference does it make now, he's dead. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the reason he was never inducted is that it would seem like a sort of nepotism. There were so many Atlantic related artists inducted over the years that inducting him would appear as if they only induct their own. It might be political.
tomthefunky 1 year ago
@bigdaveonbass Lets make a petition and send around the USA to get em in! He totally deserves it!
Kbonewalker 1 year ago 2
@bigdaveonbass I agree!
PeterMayer 1 year ago
@bigdaveonbass
Of course he should.He should have been long ago!
I need to buy this film.
SonnyREast 1 year ago
@bigdaveonbass I SOOOOO agree ... there has never ben another man like Tom Dowd
cliftongal51 1 year ago 2
@bigdaveonbass You just got 20 million thumbs up from me!
joellouisfire 1 year ago 3
@bigdaveonbass Agreed!
JazzyDave 1 year ago
What I wouldn't give to play with that control board and mix and match the guitar parts. I love Tom Dowd's enthusiasm after nearly 30 years. Genius at work.
superdeformed313 3 years ago 2
Im so priviledged to have done something so trivial as a transfer from a 30's lathe to digital for this. We will never have another one like you
Obelisk2290 3 years ago
I liked the image @ 7 minutes and 30 sec. The mudra of teaching... Very apt.
CptMystery 3 years ago
Man this was phenomenal, it's amazing how well Duane and Eric played together after just meeting each other. And it's good to see the man behind the magic enjoy it all over again.
coontardo 3 years ago
Jeen youse !!!!!!!!!!
whillop 3 years ago
that stained glass of Duane is beatiful. itd look cool in a studio
HendrixClaptonSRV 3 years ago
solephonic: this clip is from 'The Language of Music' documentary on Tom. I watch it every few months and never tire of it. You just won't fathom the impact he has had on modern recording techniques.
tdave1234 3 years ago 2
Tom Dowd is the kind of person who comes along once a century, for he has produced more historic recording sessions than any engineer or producer out there. Google: "Tom Dowd Discography". Beside being such a musical giant, he was a true gentleman, always positive, always creating. He is truly missed. God Bless you, Tom...
mauirob69 3 years ago 5
Cds and the record industry are dead. Long live online downloads. Thank you Thom Yorke. You are the Messiah.
swansong200 3 years ago
Awesome! Tom Dowd is a legend. Is this on DVD?
solephonic 3 years ago
I love those little bird calls that Duane used to do off the end of the neck. I think that he'd be proud to know that Butch's nephew has his old slot, and quite proud of how much Derek has learned from him--especially given the quality of that young man's playing.
aarfeld 3 years ago
Amazing... seeing him moving his hands around, flipping switches up and down, feeling the music is incredible. Listen to the enthusiasm in his voice 30 years later!
mcgurkryans 3 years ago 2
Without question, Tom Dowd was an incredibly talented engineer and producer and among the cream of the crop for his day. Remember, this was in the days before fader automation; something we all take for granted today. However, there are still very talented engineers. The digital age has changed things but the talent is still abundant.
livetubeamp57 3 years ago
cause producers had to be creative and on the fly now with unlimited tracks the magic is lost when you can defer decisions
Obelisk2290 3 years ago
so if you STEAL your music online, you are killing the music industry. People are job less because of people like you who dont want to pay 12 dollar for a CD. yet you complain of how bad music is these days.....its because you are slowly killing us by downloading music with out paying. one day recorded music wont exist because it will merely be a hobby, and no longer a Profession. DONT STEAL MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!
1982olimac 3 years ago
CD sales have been steadily dropping since 2000 and they're on their way out. The major labels refuse to accept the free exchange of information which is why the independents are about to take over. CDs are gone, musicians are going to be paid for actually doing shows again, and the market is going to open up. Everything great that happens in music in the next ten years is OWED to those who "stole" music online.
deepelmdesciple 3 years ago
Yes, god forbid artists actually get PAID for their creativity.
acecal 3 years ago
These were the days when music was beautiful. Engineers like Tom will never exists again. Some one who truly loved music WAYYYYY more than the glamour and the money. Tom was all about great sounding music and the soul of it. I feel sad as an engineer because this kind of " studio magic" if you will, will never exist. Engineers are loosing jobs daily because people dont want to pay for their music any more. people dont realize how much work and time goes into recording. this costs money.
1982olimac 3 years ago
Stuart Sullivan in Austin Texas. Wire Recording. Same soul as Tom Dowd. Something you can't get at home on your PC getup.
davidnewbouldband 2 years ago
Oh come on! Aspiring to be Tom Dowd, that's one thing BUT the "same soul" as Tom Dowd? You'll always be about 100 years behind Dowd! Just look at the list of people he worked with from the 40's on, it will NEVER be matched.
bigmamou 2 years ago
Don't get so defensive. I don't mean he IS Tom Dowd, I just meant he is one of the rare ones you can find these days coming from the same place - same ethic, instinct, knowhow, creativity, etc. (just ask Willie Nelson, who employed him as his head engineer for a decade until he realized the man needed his own place). People have to carry on such a legacy, and I'm just saying there are some out there.
davidnewbouldband 2 years ago
This is taken from the DVD "Tom Dowd and The Language of Music". I totally recommend it. The entire film is excellent and gives an amazing insight to Dowd's genius.
LouiePlaysDrums 3 years ago
"Those are notes that aren't on the instrument." Pure genius. Duane is missed to this day.
ternqwest 3 years ago