New DVD Release: The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story (Coming Nov. 5th, 2013)

The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story is one of the most insightful, inspiring and enjoyable documentaries ever produced about how “hits” are created; a must-see for any musician, producer or fan of popular music. A 15-time nominee and 12-time Grammy award-winner, Arif Mardin was a visionary and tastemaker who could spot talents, nurture them and groom them for success. Mardin was comfortable working in almost all music genres including jazz, R&B, pop and rock and roll, and he quickly rose among the ranks at Atlantic Records to become the in-house producer and arranger.  He was a major architect of the “Atlantic Sound” in the 1960s and his recording and producing career continued to flourish after he left Atlantic Records and joined EMI. Under the Blue Note label he was still creating hits including Norah Jones’ Grammy award-winning Album of the Year “Come Away with Me,” which included Record of the Year “Don’t Know Why.” Mardin received Producer of the Year.

Over the years Arif Mardin’s work resulted in hundreds of classic hits including:

    Aretha Franklin – Until You Come  Back to Me
    Bee Gees – Jive Talkin’
    Chaka Khan – I Feel For You
    Bette Midler – The Wind Beneath My Wings
    Judy Collins – Send in the Clowns
    Phil Collins – Against All Odds (Take A Look at Me Now)
    Carly Simon  – You Belong To Me
    The Average White Band – Pick Up the Pieces

Nominated for a Grammy in 2010 for “Best Long Form Music Video” The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story” was co-produced and co-directed by Arif’s son Joe Mardin and Doug Biro, writer/director/producer and founder of Hudson River Films. Biro’s producing and directing credits include the feature documentaries Herbie Hancock: Possibilities and co-producer and director with Alex Gibney on Away From The Sun starring the multi-platinum rock band, 3 Doors Down. The film chronicles the life and career of the man who produced over 50 gold and platinum records with sales topping 50 million units.

The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story includes in-depth interviews and studio footage with music luminaries and friends such as Quincy Jones, Ahmet Ertegun, Sir George Martin, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Jewel, Phil Collins and Daryl Hall, among others who celebrate Mardin’s life and recall his distinctive focus, versatility and infectious personality.

The film shows Mardin reuniting with many of his artists to record what would become his third and final solo album, All My Friends Are Here. The film’s title was taken from the song “The Greatest Ears in Town” co-written by Bette Midler and Marc Shaiman. Arif Mardin died of pancreatic cancer at age 74 in June 2006 and his son Joe completed the album and the film.

Bonus DVD Features

    EPK
    Film Noir
    Mardinis, Tabloids, Turks & Doorknobs – a homage to the big personality of Arif Mardin
    “Separate Lives” with Phil Collins and Doug Morris
    Lunch with Chaka Khan
    “No Way Out” alternate edition with Nicki Parrott

About Joe Mardin

Producer/arranger/songwriter Joe Mardin, the son of Arif Mardin, co-produced and co-directed The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story.  During his career, Joe  has worked with chart topping artists such as Jewel, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, a-ha and George Benson.  Working alongside his father, Joe co-produced songs for Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan. Joe released Fairytales Interrupted, an album of electronic compositions for an exhibition of artwork by his sister, photographer and visual artist, Julie Mardin.  Joe founded NuNoise Records which released All My Friends Are Here, Arif Mardin’s star-studded third and final album as an artist. Joe’s label is currently working with a New York-based pop artist. Mardin graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston with honors.

About Shelter Island

New York City based home entertainment label Shelter Island is known for distributing critically-acclaimed independent films including the Emmy Award® winning Journey of the Universe, the powerful environmental feature documentary Into the Cold and the upcoming Parents Choice® award winning Drawing with Mark series. Shelter Island is the sister label of home entertainment companies True Mind and Disinformation, all operating under the rebranded entertainment and electronic media company, TDC Entertainment. Shelter Island releases are distributed by Entertainment One throughout North America.