Tom Dowd and the Language of Music Film & DVD

[Jules]

Palm Pictures
Proudly Announces the Highly Anticipated Theatrical and DVD Release of
Tom Dowd and the Language of Music

Theatrical Release August 13th.
DVD Available August 24th.

Featuring Appearances and Music by Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Les Paul, the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and countless other musical legends.

"One of the most involving films at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Mark Moormann introduces the great hidden force of rock's classic age." -Los Angeles Times

Palm Pictures proudly brings to DVD Tom Dowd and the Language of Music on August 24, 2004. Profiling the life and work of Tom Dowd, a legendary producer/recording engineer, the film was an Official Selection at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival. Hailed by Premiere Magazine as "INSPIRED AND INSPIRING. A gratifying meld of song and cinema. It is a very fitting testament to Tom Dowd." Tom Dowd and the Language of Music will be available on DVD beginning August 24, 2004 for $24.99. The order cut off date is July 28, 2004.

The film will also have a nation-wide theatrical release in key U.S. markets beginning August 13, 2004.
THEATERS & CITIES WHERE FILM OPENS ON AUGUST 13, 2004

Quad Cinema - New York, NY
LAEM Fairfax Cinema - Los Angeles, CA
Gene Siskel Film Center – Chicago, IL
Coolidge Corner Twin - Brookline, MA
Grand Illusion - Seattle, WA
Belcourt Theater - Nashville, TN
Roxie Cinema - San Francisco, CA
Visions Cinema - Washington, DC
Shores Performing Arts Theater - Miami, FL
Cinema Paradiso - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Detroit Institute of Arts - Detroit, MI (8/16 only)

The DVD special features will contain over 80 minutes of bonus footage, which include deleted scenes, 5.1 mix and interview clips with musical legends such as Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, and Phil Ramone among others.

Tom Dowd and the Language of Music is a feature-length documentary profiling the life and work of a man whose personal history reflects the evolution of modern music and recording technology: legendary producer/ recording engineer Tom Dowd. A former Atlantic Records engineer responsible for some of the most important R&B, rock, and jazz records ever made, Dowd continues to impact the music industry with his influence on today's generation of musicians and producers. Interviews with recording industry icons tell the story of this humble genius, while historical footage, photographs and classic music tracks take the audience on the path of his life in the recording studio. It's here that Dowd the unaffected master recounts the recording sessions and technical achievements that altered the course of contemporary music.

Born on October 20, 1925, Tom Dowd had a background in physics, which led to his work on the Manhattan Project at Columbia University. After four years, Dowd applied his science background to the music industry, where he evaluated the logistics of recording music. Dowd helped modernize the recording industry by helping to introduce binaural stereo recording to Atlantic Records and later helped build the label's first eight-track console. Dowd has also been touted for helping to invent the genre of southern rock.

Tom Dowd produced classic records for Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band and assisted in producing recordings for Dusty Springfield and Ray Charles, among others. Dowd also formed both a professional and personal relationship with Eric Clapton, which led to their working partnership on Layla and Other Assorted Loves Songs and several of Clapton's solo albums. Dowd's other credits include Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Cream, Rod Stewart, and countless other celebrated musicians.

Sadly, Tom Dowd passed away on October 27, 2002 after losing the battle to his longtime respiratory illness

[Renie]

Look forward to that! thumbsup

[Kyle Ashley]

It's great! Tom was kind enough to give me a VHS copy of the documentary a couple of years ago - before the final edits were done. It's got some amazing stuff in it that everyone will enjoy. I believe the DVD has even more outtakes. He was such a special man and I miss him a lot. I wish he could be around to enjoy this release.

Definitely support Mark Moormann's effort and see/buy this film!!

[shikawkee]

We saw this film during the Nashville Film fest and I can't recommend it enough. All thumbs up !