The Art of Listening - Music Documentary (2021)

The Art of Listening is a documentary film about the journey music takes to reach a listener’s ear, from the intent of an instrument maker and composer, to the producers and engineers who capture and preserve an artist’s voice. This journey is narrated by intimate conversations with artists, engineers and producers about the philosophy of their work and the intent behind each musical note they create.

This film is an invitation for music fans to rediscover the intricacies and details available in their favorite recordings. The Art of Listening is the beginning of a conversation of how the quality of our listening experiences define the medium.

Directed by:
Michael Coleman

Emmanuel Moran

Original Score Soundtrack:
Christopher Willits

More Information:

Featuring:

Alex DeTurk
Alyssa Bonagura
Andrew Scheps
Antonio Sanchez
Beacon
Christopher Willits
Dave Smith
David Chesky
Ethan Diamond
Gabriel Roth
Gustavo Santaolalla
Hans Zimmer
Hiatus Kaiyote
Ian Schneller
Jack Douglas
James Brown
Jason Bentley
Jean Larrivée
John McBride
John Storyk
Jonathan Galkin
Kamasi Washington
Mark de Clive-Lowe
Marc Weinstein
Mike Milosh
Reggie Watts
Steve Guttenberg
Steve Vai
Tycho
The Chainsmokers
Tim Westergren
Todd Simon
Warren Huart

[chrisfromaus]

R.I.P. Dave Smith. Your contribution to modern music has influenced countless lives, and you will be missed.

[EannaButler]

37:33 - Gustavo Santaolalla part - what a wonderful section in this documentary!

[gehteuchnichtsan]

it's more like a love letter to music. thanks to everyone who made this

[eloualidbenyahia]

Nothing replaces the feeling in a live music the emotions in that moment is incredible

[bpalpha]

Thank you. I'm kind of a failed audio engineer, but I still love the industry. Huge fan of music, its reproduction, recording, and its performance. Also an audiophile. Cool to see Steve Guttenberg in the documentary. Helped reaffirm my knowledge, that great music makes you feel powerful emotions. Peace!

[Jacobwilliam]

This was fantastic. And sadly, since music class was cancelled today, I wanted to show a good documentary to my 7th and 8th graders. Glad I chose this. Aside from two f-bombs and one shit...it was just perfect. Tough group o' kids to be engaged with something like this, but they made me so g-damn proud, as they were in it 100%. It was great.

[councilforglobalancestorre]

Thank you for this documentary. I immediately thought of my brother-in-law, Harold Summey Jr, who is an amazing award-winning drummer. He came to life in this beautiful documentary about drums, music, singers, and music! It is just beautiful. Thank you, thank you.

[katorzhnik]

This was the doco I've been looking for. I'm a musician who has been collecting music for nearly 50 years. I've also done some DAW recordings. Younger people who've never known hi fidelity really should watch this to learn the value of listening as an art.

[phatjbl]

Even as a non musician I have visited top end studios out of curiosity. As a hardend hyperfocused audio phile I see the efforts my favourite artists make. Love to hear these amazing people in a small room. Have heard Janice Ian off mic at the front of stage sitting near her and Ellenor Mc Evoy playing a guitar standing behind me without a pa and other local artists. If a decent system gives me even some of that connection I'm in. 💯 percent. Great doco here. Well done.

[Mk]

The point of music is the process going from scratch to something new with your own mind and hands .

[yvxwnso]

Excellent! 🤓🎶
Sometimes I am absolutely blown away that we live in a world dominated by companies that design algorithms that daily suggest click bait and low brow cheapened generic media and advertisements and yet that also take years to finally recommend videos like this one to me, a thoroughly music, audio, and creativity-obsessed person. 😑

[Ecclesiastes]

38:54 the highlight of this documentary.this man's music is simply beatiful

[eliznaomistuart]

Wonderful documentary! As a drummer I particularly appreciated the section on tones and versatility of the drum set. However I was disappointed that so few women were included, and those two were singer songwriters. I hope if you do this again you’ll include more of the the many many many women producers, conductors, instrumentalists/performers, etc.

[chrisharding]

So much of what I have felt about music my whole life, but eloquently worded by very talented musical and technical exponents.

[joeallansen]

I just want to add what a wonderfully crafted traditionally made documentary this is. It’s so nice to enjoy excellent camerawork, location sound, editing and direction. You took me on a thoroughly enjoyable journey. Big thanks.

[heatherdigby]

A really great documentary. Thank you to Michael Coleman, Emmanuel Moran and all who gave their time and insights for this film.

[spikeafrican]

That was sooo well done. It's easy to get lost in the process and find yourself unable to really listen. Your documentary really connected me with the artists in this work of art and gave voice to some complicated feelings that brought me into the creative world in the first place. Thank you so much - and congrats on an incredible presentation.

[Reena-may]

What a great piece of documentary film making.

Being a retired working musician and a percussion teacher I feel this film could be a real great tool in the classroom.

Dare I say this film is important.

Well done sir!

Thank you for your time and attention to a truly necessary topic.
❤

[michaelpowell]

Thank you Dave Smith. Made life with my keyboard player work. Polyphonic and memory was what big good change.

[piezu.]

Absolutely fantastic documentary! Especially glad that this is not from the perspective of over-engineered, over-produced popular top-list songs.