It's Eric Clapton's birthday, a perfect opportunity to share this inside account of the recording of Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs, from producer Tom Dowd.
I had the great honor and pleasure to work with Tom on several projects including ABB Seven Turns... He was an absolute delight to work with! My favorite memory of him is when we were sitting in the lounge at Criteria Studios and in walked Jimmy Page from the other side of the building. I remember Jimmy saying “is that Tom Dowd? They had not seen each other for years... I assume they were friends during the Atlantic Records years... they shook hands and hugged and immediately began talking about the old days... What an amazing thing to witness!!!
Great piece, Alan! I had known parts of this from various books and interviews, but this is the most complete version I've read. I never tire of reading about Duane playing and looking down and seeing Eric sitting there! I met Tom Dowd briefly once at a New Music Seminar in Florida in the early '90s when I was with the alt-weekly "Good Times." I was in a bar and he was sitting alone in a booth, definitely older than anyone else there probably by a couple of decades. I wasn't absolutely positive it was him (and since it was pre-internet, couldn't pull his picture up on the phone), so took a chance and asked. He said he was and invited me to sit down with him while we finished our drinks. I didn't have the deep dive knowledge of classic rock I do now, and he suffered a fool gladly as I stuttered out a couple of Allman/Clapton questions I'm sure he answered a billion times before. But a super nice guy with a big smile for a green writer.
Just stumbled on this today, interesting timing due to Jim Gordon's recent passing. Also interesting to have some of the blanks filled in on this amazing story.
I've often wondered what music would have sounded like if it hadn't been for Tom Dowd in the US and Glyn Johns in the UK, such huge figures in such a huge era.
I have a feeling that without Tom Dowd, we may never have heard anything like the Allman Brothers at Fillmore East, or at least not heard it like we did.
Wonderful telling of great moment in rock history, Alan. Love the detail of Eric and Duane identifying each other by the lick they played in a particular song. That is such an enigmatic and compelling piece of the story... CLS
Absolutely awesome! The music can’t get any better, but the backdrop provided by you is incredibly powerful in enhancing the enjoyment of listening to the music the next million times😁
Great story Alan. Layla will always be one of my desert island discs. Don't know if it true, but if it was Duane's idea to include Little Wing: Genius! Rita has plenty to say about the Layla piano coda in her memoir Delta Lady. And about Jim Gordon. Kind of brutal.
Happy belated birthday, Eric. Last week, Munck Radio ( https://www.munck-music.com/pages/munck-music-radio) played the two farewell ABB concerts with Eric Clapton). Today, as I read these great memories (again), LAYLA and other assorted love songs is cranking through the stereo. Thank God that Eric and Duane made these recordings and for the wisdom and skill of Tom Dowd to get it down on tape so well. We are all truly blessed. The ABB recordings owe so much to Tom. It was good to see him get credited in the bloated Genius: Aretha Franklin series, but Jerry Wexler got all the airtime.
Read Rita Coolidge's book and you will know where the brilliant piano coda came from. Yes, the very abusive Jim Gordon stole it from her. And Clapton has NEVER said a word about that. Coward.
I saw Rita Coolidge perform 3 or 4 years ago and she told the story of the piano part of the coda of Layla. Her version is that she wrote it for her song “Time” but then Eric Clapton, whom she was seeing at the time, liked it and when the album was released, she was flabbergasted to hear it.
It’s an absolute masterpiece recording. I always say the coda is the three prettiest minutes in music and whenever it comes on or I play it, NO TALKING! It’s not over until the bird chirps!
Hello Alan
I had the great honor and pleasure to work with Tom on several projects including ABB Seven Turns... He was an absolute delight to work with! My favorite memory of him is when we were sitting in the lounge at Criteria Studios and in walked Jimmy Page from the other side of the building. I remember Jimmy saying “is that Tom Dowd? They had not seen each other for years... I assume they were friends during the Atlantic Records years... they shook hands and hugged and immediately began talking about the old days... What an amazing thing to witness!!!
Andrew Roshberg
There is a great documentary from 20 years or so ago about the life of Tom Dowd. Amazing life he lived before he even produced a record.
I loved reading this post...
I’ve the song forever...
After reading the post I forwarded to my daughter...
My granddaughter, Layla is the epitome of all we could hope for...
Shortly after I ordered a vintage album for her to enjoy on the portable record player I bought her...
I hope to share some of my favorite music with her in hopes she’ll grow to appreciate music on a deeper level than merely listening...
I love music on a cellular level, from the depts of my being...
I look forward to your posts...
You give a warmness and knowledgeable perspective...
I imagine the years you’ve played, written and followed music will fill my days from now on...
As are your books I’ve recently purchased...
Peace
Great piece, Alan! I had known parts of this from various books and interviews, but this is the most complete version I've read. I never tire of reading about Duane playing and looking down and seeing Eric sitting there! I met Tom Dowd briefly once at a New Music Seminar in Florida in the early '90s when I was with the alt-weekly "Good Times." I was in a bar and he was sitting alone in a booth, definitely older than anyone else there probably by a couple of decades. I wasn't absolutely positive it was him (and since it was pre-internet, couldn't pull his picture up on the phone), so took a chance and asked. He said he was and invited me to sit down with him while we finished our drinks. I didn't have the deep dive knowledge of classic rock I do now, and he suffered a fool gladly as I stuttered out a couple of Allman/Clapton questions I'm sure he answered a billion times before. But a super nice guy with a big smile for a green writer.
Just stumbled on this today, interesting timing due to Jim Gordon's recent passing. Also interesting to have some of the blanks filled in on this amazing story.
I've often wondered what music would have sounded like if it hadn't been for Tom Dowd in the US and Glyn Johns in the UK, such huge figures in such a huge era.
I have a feeling that without Tom Dowd, we may never have heard anything like the Allman Brothers at Fillmore East, or at least not heard it like we did.
Wonderful telling of great moment in rock history, Alan. Love the detail of Eric and Duane identifying each other by the lick they played in a particular song. That is such an enigmatic and compelling piece of the story... CLS
Absolutely awesome! The music can’t get any better, but the backdrop provided by you is incredibly powerful in enhancing the enjoyment of listening to the music the next million times😁
Great story Alan. Layla will always be one of my desert island discs. Don't know if it true, but if it was Duane's idea to include Little Wing: Genius! Rita has plenty to say about the Layla piano coda in her memoir Delta Lady. And about Jim Gordon. Kind of brutal.
Happy belated birthday, Eric. Last week, Munck Radio ( https://www.munck-music.com/pages/munck-music-radio) played the two farewell ABB concerts with Eric Clapton). Today, as I read these great memories (again), LAYLA and other assorted love songs is cranking through the stereo. Thank God that Eric and Duane made these recordings and for the wisdom and skill of Tom Dowd to get it down on tape so well. We are all truly blessed. The ABB recordings owe so much to Tom. It was good to see him get credited in the bloated Genius: Aretha Franklin series, but Jerry Wexler got all the airtime.
Always a great story to read about. You have lived a "charmed" life following these guys and others. Thanks for sharing with us. Peace, love, music!
Great story especially since it is about two of my absolute favorite singers and musicians <3 I look forward to reading all you have to share!
Read Rita Coolidge's book and you will know where the brilliant piano coda came from. Yes, the very abusive Jim Gordon stole it from her. And Clapton has NEVER said a word about that. Coward.
I saw Rita Coolidge perform 3 or 4 years ago and she told the story of the piano part of the coda of Layla. Her version is that she wrote it for her song “Time” but then Eric Clapton, whom she was seeing at the time, liked it and when the album was released, she was flabbergasted to hear it.
That’s awesome 👏
Another great article- thanks Alan!
I enjoyed the Seton Hall program last night too- well done you!
It’s an absolute masterpiece recording. I always say the coda is the three prettiest minutes in music and whenever it comes on or I play it, NO TALKING! It’s not over until the bird chirps!