Mastermind Behind "Layla" - Tom Dowd

Tom Dowd was a musician, engineer, producer, physicist, mathematician, and everyday genius. Along with Eric Clapton he discusses how the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs came together with Clapton, Duane Allman, and Derick and the Dominos.
Filmed at Criteria Studios in Miami, FL, Dowd is shown at work behind the soundboards and reflecting on his memorable career. Dowd, whose creative spirit and passion for innovative technology helped shape the course of modern music, takes the controls behind the mixer relearning the title song Layla 30 years after its creation. From "Tom Dowd The Language of Music."
Mr. Dowd's credits include recording sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Otis Redding, John Coltrane, The Allman Brothers Band, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Cream, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Booker T. & the MG's and countless other musical luminaries.
Born 20 October 1925 in New York, New York, died 27 October 2002 in Aventura, Florida.
One of Tom Dowds legacies is a music treasure chest filled with timeless classics.

[@puertodeluna]

I fell in love with a girl one night, 46 years ago, as we listened to this song.... it was a summer romance and when summer was over we parted ways and never saw each other again. But then one day, a few years ago, she found me on social media....she sent me a message...”I heard ‘Layla’ playing on the radio today and thought about you and I on that long ago night “. I replied that I cannot listen to that song without thinking about her! Some songs can be powerful memories...Layla is one such song!

[@stevetourigny3849]

Another weird bit…the piano section at end of Layla was credited to Jim Gordon the drummer. He actually stole it from his girlfriend Rita Coolidge! Gordon had a tragic story as well, suffered from mental illness, killed his mother and resided in a CA psychiatric prison where he died March 13, 2023.

[@3beanlimit]

You know you hardly ever hear mention of Bobby Whitlock's contribution to this great album and it was pretty important.

[@thomasallan8113]

Tom Dowd started working on the Manhattan Project as a scientist age 18. When the war ended he wanted to continue his education in nuclear physics but he could not reveal any of the top secret work he had done so no university would accept him. Besides, he already knew more than any of the courses these universities offered

[@fw1421]

I can’t listen to Layla without tears coming to my eyes. It’s been my favorite song since the early 70’s.

[@Hirogebra]

Listening to that Duane's part on Layla on its own, I have had to realise how much more beautifully and emotionally he played it than I thought I knew.

[@Astralpains]

The record would never have been a hit without Duane’s touch

[@wayneellsworth2340]

I was blessed enough to have tom dowd as one of my best and closest friends growing uo in south florida,Tom was the most humble person i ever met i had tge pleasure of meeting many wonderful musicians thru Tom ,i attended his masters of music awards party in 1996 at Julio Iglesias house and sat with Jaimoe and Butch Trucks and their wives ,Tommy loved me enough to call me when he was on his deathbed to share his last days talking ,i miss him so very much Much love goes out to Tommy Cheryl Dana and tge rest of the family RIP my friend

[@franchisemiami]

This is the only place you can see a piece of Mark Moorman's film about Tom Dowd

[@rabendranath]

This is one of my most cherished clips on youtube, Tom Dowd recalling the birth of a masterpiece.

[@donnieluc6830]

In my opinion "Layla", is in all aspects the most beautiful rock ballad ever.

[@georgeorwell4534]

When he starts isolating the tracks to Clapton and Allman, it's like these guys suddenly pop out of the music and they're standing there in the studio playing. These men come alive right there. It sent goosebumps through me.

[@andrewgraulich6602]

Dowd plays his board like a master organist plays his instrument-swells, stops, parts, layering, both hands constantly moving in a fluid painting of sound. What a genius of the recording arts.

[@hkeith133]

The part when Dowd was rediscovering the tracks is just magic

[@brettharootunian3696]

Duane's slide work is a brilliant Peace of artistry that can never be duplicated.

[@gioknows]

That has to be considered one of the the greatest songs in rock and roll history.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

This is a brilliant piece of work. RIP Duane Allman and Carl Radle. Tom was a brilliant producer.

[@designermite]

Like a father visiting his child after 30 years...simply amazing

[@joelserey8437]

Tom Dowd was a genius in the studio! He captured the ultimate beauty of Eric bending strings, and Dwayne sliding! Still gives me shivers....

[@johnlaverty9217]

Tom Dowd was part of so much Earth-shattering music, it is difficult to wrap one's mind around how loved he was by all musicians and the significant role he played in recording history. In addition to all the great rock-influenced music, it is easy to forget he recorded John Coltrane's Giant Steps.