The Doors (Special Edition)
by Val Kilmer Meg Ryan
Director: Oliver Stone
Average Customer Review:
DVD (18 March, 2003)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

Thanks in large part to its meticulous re-creation of the late 1960s and early '70s rock scene and the uncannily authentic performance by Val Kilmer as legendary Doors front man Jim Morrison, Oliver Stone's hypnotic film biography is standing the test of time. Capturing the carefree mood of the Age of Aquarius, the film charts the meteoric rise of the Doors on the California club circuit (including a memorable scene showing the creation of the hit "Light My Fire"), and chronicles the band's exploits with hallucinogenics and Morrison's battles against charges of public indecency on stage. Kilmer's performance is hauntingly perfect, and performances by Meg Ryan, Kathleen Quinlan, and Kyle MacLachlan are similarly impressive. The movie doesn't fully probe the depths of Morrison's character, but as a portrait of excess it is vividly true to the spirit of the self-destructive poet known to his fans as "The Lizard King." --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen

Reviews (167)

Incoherent, negative, and not really about THE DOORS...
I saw this movie when it first came out (March 1, 1991).I was 21 years old, and a huge DOORS fan.I liked it okay back then, but upon seeing it now, it's boring, and makes it appear that the other members did little or nothing to contribute to the band and its success (Robby Krieger, the guitar player, WROTE 'LIGHT MY FIRE').I think Val Kilmer does an Oscar-caliber job as Jim, but the others are only there to react to things Jim says and does.They have no other purpose except to fill in those roles-most anyone could have done that.I don't think a lot of people realize that Jim Morrison was many things, BUT HE WASN'T A MUSICIAN.HE DIDN'T PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, and he wasn't THAT great a singer (though I will say that he was damn good when he was good).THE DOORS were a great band, but that was a long time ago.As far as the studio albums go, the first two were great, the second two were mediocre (though 'STRANGE DAYS' has a couple of decent tracks), and the last two were hit and miss.I wasn't there, so I don't know about how they were live (videos and live CDs are NOT THE SAME as being there).Another reviewer said that Meg Ryan was a poor choice to play Pam.I agree.Listening to Stone talk about it on disc 2 tells us why.Ryan sounds like she was/is unable to comprehend the type of behavior that Pam/Jim engaged in, i.e. drugs, rebellion, etc.Stone said the same thing about Darryl Hannah regarding her failed attempt to play Darian in WALL STREET (a far superior movie to this one by the way).I don't understand why Stone would choose to have someone play a role like this when they obviously were unable to 'find and be' the character they were supposed to be portraying.Stone should have chosen more wisely.I think Stone's obsession with Jim is the reason this movie is really all about Jim.Of the many problems in it, the one that probably bothers me the most is that the movie acts like Jim is the center of the universe, as the camera is almost always on him.But Oliver Stone's Jim Morrison is juvenile, destructive, obnoxious, and often, pointless.He hardly comes off as a genius, poetic or otherwise.He suddenly has star status, but the movie doesn't show why-we're supposed to know why.Yet, why should we care??? The character is despicable, at least that's the way he's written here.I couldn't even finish the film-I simply didn't care that he was headed for a youthful demise.When I read 'Riders on the Storm' and 'No One Here Gets Out Alive', I found myself caring about the people involved-not here though.Moreover, the photography was irritating, to say the least.I wanted to know about THE DOORS, instead, I got an MTV-type drug trip with DOORS music behind it.As a big studio movie, I think this fails on all levels except one-Val Kilmer's performance.As another reviewer noted, this is the best acting he's ever done.It's too bad that the movie/script he had to work with was/is over-hyped junk.

Boo, Hiss - Fake Widescreen
The movie is interesting and I think Val Kilmer did a good job.I rate this so low because Artisanjust put big black bars on top and bottom and then calls it widescreen.This is FAKE widescreen and is a bad, bad, bad thing.

negative "one," really
be serious: Val Kimler playing Jim Morrison? Oh, be real.Oliver must've been WAY stoned.But instead of being so negative, here's an idea:how 'bout a "two CD-set" of...um...say, "Helter Skelter" with Pee Wee Herman portraying Charles Manson?And then you could drag out J Lo to play Squeaky Fromme, and keep the "reality" in high gear, eh? ... Read more

Asin: B00005NB8K
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

The Doors - Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Director: Ray Manzarek
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (30 July, 2002)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.48
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Editorial Review

Watching The Doors Live at the Hollywood Bowl is a soberingexperience, for the viewer must confront the painful truth that popular music,to judge by its increasingly infantile and banal state, will never see theirlike again. Either that, or admit the Doors were an irrelevant footnote in thehistory of pop--an idle thought that a few minutes of this extraordinary concertwill dispel. Fortunately for posterity, this July 5, 1968 performance wascaptured by four cameras and recorded in 16-track audio, resulting in generallyexcellent stereo sound that is far better than most archive footage of thisband.

On stage Jim Morrison has the aura of an intense performance artist, whose dark,smoky voice forms only a part of his complex persona. Guitarist Robby Krieger,keyboard player Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore complement Morrison'sfree-associative outpourings with improvisational, jazz-inspired interjections.They make music like no other band before or since. Who else could segueeffortlessly from Kurt Weill's "Alabama Song" to Willie Dixon's "Back Door Man"?And just when they're in danger of becoming too pretentious, Morrison bursts anylurking self-importance with a wry smile, a jokey aside, or even a belch. Butthe seriousness remains, at least implicitly, throughout as Morrison's edgylyrics (from "When the Music's Over" to "The Unknown Soldier" and "The End")constantly hint at disturbing social undercurrents outside the concert arena. Isit fanciful to imagine that in the minds of his audience the ghosts of theVietnam War and the Civil Rights movement are hovering just out of view? Suchthoughts are what make the Doors so unique. Their music invites questions,positively dares the audience to ask them. That's why they remain so endlesslyfascinating well over three decades later. And that's why this concertperformance will find a home with any and every fan of the band. "The time tohesitate is through." --Mark Walker, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• NTSC

Reviews (9)

Complete Doors Concert On Film - May Be The Only One
This is the legendary Doors at their peak in this, the only complete concert ever filmed of the controversial superband. The concert was filmed live at the Hollywood Bowl during the July 4th weekend in 1968. The concert includes my favorite Doors' song "light My Fire" (extended version.)

The Doors-Live at the Hollywood Bowl
I watched the video twice and came to the conclusion Jim Morrison
was backed up by excellent musicians. It seemed to me that he did
his performance under the influence of drugs or alcohol. His movements were slow and not defined. He spent a lot of time wandering in a fog around the stage, not really getting anywhere, trying to light a cigarette, bending over with his rear to the audience, then leaping in the air, screaming into the microphone. I read he was going to "dump" his musicians which would have been a poor decision on his part. Sorry he died so young but the excessive use of drugs and alcohol will shorten the lifespan. I think he would have had a great career if he would have cleaned his act up. My four stars are for the musicians who kept the performance moving.

It Blew My Mind
I was there....July 1968 in the Hollywood Bowl.What a show!!!When I watch this video in retrospect, I'm unsure why I was so enraptured.I'm a lot older today, my musical tastes have changed.However, it is part of my history and music's as well.This is a very fine show for the younger generation to understand what it was like in 1968.People are strange, indeed. ... Read more

Asin: 6300186008
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Doors: Dance on Fire
by Doors The Doors
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (30 July, 2002)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.48
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Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• NTSC

Reviews (8)

a slim serving of the Lizard King mystique
The Doors was all about Jim Morrison; it was his throaty voice, a strange grace which was rather like a newborn colt, and his charismatic talent that carried the group to fame, despite the able and sometimes brilliant musicianship of Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (guitar). and John Densmore (drums).
There is a lot of "filler" and not enough of Morrison in this collection of song clips, which are interspersed with voice-overs of Morrison reading his poetry, and images of "related" subjects, like Native American dancers shown while "Wild Child" is playing, and even though the producers have put his face on the cover, they did not give him credit anywhere on the video box (at least the version I own) by name, which is a huge oversight.

The songs:
"Break on Through", from an Elektra Records promo clip.
"People are Strange", includes footage taken on the streets of New York City.
"Light My Fire", from the Ed Sullivan Show telecast. The sound is not good on this one, and the atmosphere somewhat strained, as if they were given limits to what they could do.
"Wild Child" has a few clips from a recording session.
"L.A. Woman" is pretentiously labeled as "a new film directed by Ray Manzarek". It is actually random shots of the Los Angeles area and a few clips from the past with the song as "soundtrack".
"The Unknown Soldier" was supposedly banned for a time. It shows Morrison being bound and "shot" on Santa Monica beach, and some gooky stuff emerging from his mouth. Raspberry jam perhaps ? Chocolate pudding ? It's awfully thick and rather gross. Also includes a few gory war scenes.
"Roadhouse Blues". Clips from the '68 tour.
"Texas Radio and the Big Beat/Love Me Two Times". Includes clips from a live performance for Danish television. This is one of the better selections.
"Touch Me" is from a Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour telecast, where they have given Morrison a brushed hairdo and tanned pancake on his face, leaving his neck white. The Doors have a back-up band for this, giving it added interest.
"Horse Latitudes/Moonlight Drive", from a Jonathan Winters Show telecast, with a bit more of the makeup thing.
"The End". This is a song that is shown in full and is focused on Morrison, and therefore probably the most substantive part of this video, and was filmed at a '68 Hollywood Bowl concert. In this piece, as well as the other clips, he seems to be in a total chemical haze, a poster child for substance abuse...rather like a young and very beautiful Ozzy, and it is rather sad to watch.
"Crystal Ship" is from American Bandstand, and from the early days; more puppy dog than Lizard King.
Tomasso Albinoni's "Adagio in G minor" theme is used as the music for some clips of the group sailing.
"Riders on the Storm" is played during the end titles.

This is good for a trip down memory lane for those of us who were young in the late '60s, but are glad we grew up. It does not have much Lizard King content, and musically it is choppy and the sound often fuzzy. I'd recommend a CD instead. Total running time one hour and 5 minutes.

Excellent Compilation of The Televised Performances
If you love The Doors like I do than this video is an absolute must for your collection. This one includes most if not all of their television appearances including the live performances of "Light My Fire" and "People Are Strange" from the Ed Sullivan Show in 1967. One of my favorite performances is when Jim and the band perform "Love Me Two Times" in black and white from a TV program in Denmark. I really like this performance of the song because in this one Jim mixes the poem of "Texas Radio and The Big Beat" in the middle of the song and it sounds really cool. Another song that I love is "Touch Me" from the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. In this performance the band perform the song with a full orchestra, it sounds very nice. Overall this is a great video and you will enjoy it very much especially if you're a Doors fan and even if you aren't one after seeing this great video you will become one.

Nice Look AtAn Awesome Rock Group.
I'm an 18 year old straight up rock fan.I love this music and it was nice for me to see one of my all-time favorite rock bands perform some of my favorite songs live and the music videos were cool too. I especially liked it because I'll never get the chance to see them in concert any other way. Break on through rocked! It doesn't hurt that Jim was so goodlooking either!Not only that but this group has raw talent and depth that today's teen pop groups can't touch! I'm glad there are videos like this one to bring The Doors to a younger generation. Me and my friends appreciate it! ... Read more

Asin: 1558803947
Sales Rank: 5809
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Doors - The Soft Parade, a Retrospective
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (30 July, 2002)
list price: $9.98
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Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• NTSC

Reviews (9)

sincere but sad performance--morrison on the decline
this is one of the doors calmer and more laid back performances, and yet it is stronger than the hollywood bowl and is much more potent because morrison's heart, although it is obviously filled with sadness and devastation, is completely in it. his emotional connection to the music is so intense that "wishful sinful", which is basically your average pop song, sounds like a shakespearean ballad when he is singing it. unfortunately you also sense that he is suffering intensely on the inside, and it is pretty obvious that on some level of his awareness he had realized that a good deal of his immense potential had gone down the drain as a result of alcoholism and fame-provoked decadence. the 60's dream of liberation and freedom had failed miserably and resulted in a despairing sense of failure, and i would venture to say that morrison felt this more acutely than hendrix or joplin. morrison was basically an idealistic, philosophical poet who wanted to change the fundamentals of society and make people more aware, and tragically he had been commodified just like everyone is in popular culture, and im sure he knew it. a must

Interesting And Well-Assembled.
"The Soft Parade" is the final of the MCA three-tape Doors trilogy. It is not as good as tape 1, "Dance On Fire" and a bit better than "Live At The Hollywood Bowl." This video is a well assembled finale, sometimes though, it feels like what we're getting are simply the left-overs of what was left out of the first two episodes. No matter, they are good left-overs. The opening sequence cut together to "The Changeling" is an entertaining and rich ensemble of Doors footage showing the wild side of Jim Morrison and how epic and crazy Doors concert footage can seem. As for the television appearance that is the highlight, it is very informative and interesting. It's interesting to see Jim Morrison give his thoughts on music and poetry but the best part is seeing The Doors perform. Morrison is especially captivating while singing "The Soft Parade" which is not a bad song at all. The most entertaining piece of footage for me though, was the scene showing The Doors recording "Wild Child" in the studio. "The Soft Parade" is indeed a great tape for Doors fans and rock enthusiasts, but I recommend you simply buy all three together. The best is still "Dance On Fire" which is an excellent assembling of the best Doors footage around, "Live At The Hollywood Bowl" is just a concert (and one of the weak ones in my opinion). "The Soft Parade" is a nice look at a band that 30 years after legendary frontman Jim Morrison's death, still endures.

EPIC MOMENTS......
The soft parade is a mixed bag of goodies. This video is taken from CRITIQUE(1969), a program that focused on the arts. The Doors were invited to appear and they give some great performances including, "The Soft Parade(10 min.)" and "Build me a woman(cursing)". There is also a short interview with the band by writer Gerry Goldstein, of the Village Voice.The actual program is informative and entertaining...I should know I have a copy. This video on the other hand includes alot more stock footage of the Doors on the road(from unreleased: Feast of Friends) making every moment more interisting and entertaining. ... Read more

Asin: 6302142253
Sales Rank: 30246
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Doors - The Doors Are Open
by Jim Morrison Ray Manzarek
Director: John Sheppard
Average Customer Review:
DVD (11 August, 1998)
list price: $24.98
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Features

• Color
• Black & White

Reviews (11)

Excelent
Jim Morrison, real rock star. In stage he is like a Guru with too many people following him. Watch It.

Very disappointed
As a huge Jim Morrison fan, I was so excited about purchasing this DVD.Unfortunately, the sound was awful (low grade) and the news footage took away from the music. I was hoping for more interviews, and clips of Jim and the boys, but they're weren't many. I wouldn't have wasted my money if I had known.

morrison's theatrical magic in full force
this is the best doors concert on tape, no doubt about it. morrison screams violently, wails in agony, gyrates, dances shamanistically, and after watching this performance one can hardly deny that he was probably the most memorable and ingenious frontman that pop culture has ever seen. his haunting lyrics are given raw life in this unforgettable show that clearly displays why, despite all his grievous flaws and insane self destructiveness, jim morrison was a legend and a creative giant. "when the music's over" is the first song they play and you can tell right from the first piercing shout that morrison is baring his soul with all it's intense anguish and poetic sensitivity. the idea that morrison was possessed becomes much less fantastic and unbelievable after seeing this one. an absolute must. ... Read more

Asin: 6305034346
Sales Rank: 38773
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Doors: Live in Europe, 1968
by Ray Manzarek Jim Morrison
Director: Paul Justman, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek
Average Customer Review:
DVD (14 August, 2002)
list price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

For Doors completists only, this shapeless gathering of rare film clipsof the band performing in Europe is hampered by the same old, frustrating problems with attempting to convey, through lousy camera work, the band's poweras a live act. The packaging tells us the Doors swept through London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam during a 1968 tour documented here, but there's no way to appreciate that save for a random clip or two of Jim Morrisonmilling about outside concert venues, talking with fans. Otherwise, we see thesame sort of obfuscating on-stage close-ups of Morrison you can see in anyfootage of a Doors gig, stumbling around, crooning, and reciting poetry tominimalist accompaniment by Ray Manzarek on keyboards, John Densmore on drums,and Robby Krieger on guitar. Unless one can see, in the mind's eye, what theband is up to from the point of view of a kid in the 30th row, there's no way toreally get the hypnotic, Dionysian effect for which the Doors were justifiablyfamous. Thus, for anyone who can imagine such a thing, or take it on faith,there's good reason to enjoy performances of "Spanish Caravan," "Five to One,"and two versions of "Light My Fire." There's even a relic of pre-MTV, poppromotion: a silly-looking performance of "Hello, I Love You" shot before abaffled crowd on a London street. --TomKeogh ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Black & White

Reviews (10)

breathtaking
This is The Doors, i was to young to see them on stage but this dvd is just like being there and captures all of the bands mystique and essence. a must see for any Doors fan!

A Revelation of Rock Music in a More Innocent Era
Any lack of polish in this production is pretty much due to the available video and film equipment of the day.That said, much of the old camerawork is quite creative and nicely done.In fact, I was riveted to this film from start to finish.

The onstage performances have a beautiful, timeless quality to them.The musicianship of the band comes across very nicely, this being a time before bands had stylists, directors, choreographers, and wardrobe masters.

Just amazing to see how, more than Morrison's charisma, more than any stoned-out vibe, the music itself was the true source of the Doors' power and energy.So seldom do we get to see excellent rock music performed without a lot of record company b***s***. Nobody told the band how to behave onstage, nobody but Jim dictated what he was going to wear, and so on. This footage was a revelation in that way.

To observe, on this DVD, Ray Manzarek hunched over his keyboards, fingering some amazing riffs, is to see a rather amazing illustration of rock performances that were all about THE MUSIC.

An absolute "must" for all Doors fans, and a real treat for fans of west coast rock.Recommended to anyone who has an interest in classic rock or sixties culture.

Would be 5 stars if not for some faults (mostly forgivable)
Contrary to some other reviews, the sound is okay. All the tracks came across clearly on my speakers without any audio adjustments. However, I've noticed on this DVD that the bass is pumped up and tends to overpower the vocals in certain spots.

As for the video quality, the B&W soundstage segments are bright and crisp and the Roundhouse show (also in B&W) isn't that bad. The extreme contrast between lights and darks makes the Roundhouse segments seem murky at times but you can still see all figures clearly. Plus, the camera work is definitely livelier than the famous Hollywood bowl show.

The audio and video flaws are easily overlooked, but the most annoying faults come at the end of the DVD. Because a Jefferson Airplane segment leads straight into "Five to One", the start of that track is cut. This last track "Alabama Song" is NOT shown in performance but rather laid over a Pere-Lachaise montage which, after Grace Slick's comments on Morrison, makes it seem like he expired at the end of the European tour! If not for this silliness, the DVD would rate 5/5. ... Read more

Asin: 6305089949
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Doors Collection (Collector's Edition)
Director: Ray Manzarek, Rick Schmidlin
Average Customer Review:
DVD (30 July, 2002)
list price: $24.98 -- our price: $19.98
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Editorial Review

If you are a new or original fan of the Doors, this spectacular DVD should give you enough incentive to jump on the DVD bandwagon without reservation. It's quite simply the finest single audio-visual source of Doors music and history, presented with the full participation of the band's surviving members (Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger, John Densmore) and featuring a variety of bonus features that will send any Doors-phile into a state of rock & roll euphoria. We're not kidding, folks--this is a must-have disc for anyone who's ever been mesmerized by Jim Morrison and the late-1960s, early-'70s rock phenomenon known as the Doors.

The primary content consists of three acclaimed films, all running about an hour long and directed by Manzarek, that give the viewer a deeper appreciation of what the Doors were all about. Not only was the band filmed in a variety of live concert settings (especially at the legendary Hollywood Bowl show, included here), but they were also precociously aware of the value of film, creating music "videos" long before MTV and taking their cue from Manzarek's mid-'60s stint as a UCLA film student. Also included are clips from several TV appearances (including a PBS interview in which Morrison predicts the future of recording technology with astounding accuracy), revealing backstage footage, and, of course, some of the most hypnotic concert performances ever filmed.

Two of Manzarek's student films (Evergreen and Induction) indicate that the keyboardist could easily have become a successful director, but fate blessed him (and us) with a future in one of America's all-time greatest rock bands. What The Doors Collection conveys more than anything is that these four young men formed a unique cohesion of talent, that they all loved and admired Jim Morrison (and still do), and that they continue to share that love--along with some conflicting recollections and amiably contrasting opinions--on a commentary track that's wise, fun-loving, and refreshingly free of drippy nostalgia. Indeed, when Manzarek uses the word "atrocious" to describe Oliver Stone's 1991 film about Morrison and the band, he's merely defending the fact that Morrison was himself a sweet, lovable young man who had a dark side--no one's denying that--but who also fronted a band that continues to unite listeners and viewers in the positive spirit of creativity and freedom of expression. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby
• Widescreen

Reviews (31)

An anthologic work for hard collectors!

This album is a true and essential document that draws with absolute honesty the artistic path of this unforgettable ensamble. The work of edition is extremely intersting due includes some poems of Morrison that work out as introduction for the late song. You will watch to Morrison in high spirits more than once.

The DVD is a compilation of several concerts, but also offers you interesting interviews where you can test the real approach of the whole band and evry one of his musicans. Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison were basically the soul of this band.

Interesting album that must be preserved for the future generations.
Maybe I would have wished a deserved farewell to Morrison in his grave in Paris, but I guess sooner or later, this hearfelt rendition will be made.

HEAR JIM'S REAL VOICE!
Jim Morrison's voice changed so much as an adult that it has become an increasingly interesting topic to me. Sometimes, he sounded like an 18 year-old kid when he was actually mid-20's, and sometimes his voice became really raspy and deep. His singing voice was categorized as a baritone, meaning it was a deep voice, but you'd never think his real voice sounded like it really did. He was such an intriguing person that even his voice was a cause for interest. When he was famous and in the spotlight, he barely ever said anything public when he wasn't on stage. He was a reserved person when he wasn't performing, and may have been aware of how peculiar his voice was, but the fact that this DVD went the extra mile to find footage of him just lounging around, relaxing with Ray, Robby and John made it that much better. A lot of the stuff that you only hear about you get to actually see in this DVD, including their controversial appearance on Ed Sullivan. You also get to see the Hollywood Bowl concert on July 5, 1983 in its entirety. The Doors may have been the greatest band of all time.

the greatest doors dvd
the amazon review was right this is the best doors dvd hands down its huge u get rare videos of thier songs u get the doors live at ucla u get all of morrisons poetry his interviews on tv shows and radio his student films then u get the remaining members of the doors doing a new version of the end and discussing jim morrisons life this is probably the largest dvd i have and i have almost 300 it has every great doors song both live and in rare 60s videos and promos all his poetry his interviews everything u could ask for in 1 dvd its brokeup into 3 huge chapters the beggining is rare doors videos and thier in studio songs the second chapters the doors live at ucla u get to see morrisons charm his amazing voice playing for a cool ucla college crowd in 1967 and u see his films the final chapter has his near death interviews and his bearded last performances before he left to paris and died then it has interviews with the band after his death and a new version of the end ive had this dvd for 2 years and its been played so much its scratched all over and it still hasnt lost its sound quality also theres web site links for doors items and memorabilia listed on the dvd the doors were the american beatles and ahead of thier time dark poetic beautiful sensitive music and there will never be another doors buy this dvd its the most doors stuff u can get crammed into 1 killer dvd ... Read more

Asin: 0783233485
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Doors
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

On their 1967 debut album, the Doors more than fulfilled the promise of their infamously challenging gigs around Los Angeles throughout the previous year. Whether belting out a standard like "Back Door Man" or talk-singing such originals as "The Crystal Ship" and "I Looked at You," leather-clad vocalist Jim Morrison exuded both sensuality and menace. The mixture, on the outsize album finale, "The End," helped rewrite the rules on rock song composition. None of this would have worked, though, were it not for the highly visual instrumental work of keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robbie Krieger, and drummer John Densmore, whose work on tracks such as "Take It As It Comes" and the lengthy hit "Light My Fire" virtually defined the rock-blues-jazz-classical amalgam that was acid-rock. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (234)

Opening The "Doors"
This is one of the first rock records I really got into and it has always stuck with me.In some sense this record doesn't stand up well against time, but still has some incredible songs and is a great sampler of the Doors.

The strengths of this record are some of the obvious picks, with "Break On Through" and "Light My Fire" standing out as giants in modern music."The Crystal Ship" has always been a lesser known gem, showing Jim Morrison's range has a vocalist.
The haunting organ of Ray Manzarek in "Back Door Man" proves the blues weren't dead in that time period.

By the end of the record, one leaves wanting more as some of the back end tracks start to sound the sound the same.I highly recommend "Strange Days" or "Morrison Hotel" after this record.Still this record rocks and shows the greatness of this band.

The Doors' first...and best.
This album, released in early 1967, is one of the most groundbreaking and innovative debuts ever released by a rock band, or anyone, for that matter. Opening with the classic "Break On Through (To the Other Side)," The Doors lead you through a set of incredibly impressive psychedelic rock. One of the greatest things about the Doors is their unique sound, heralded by Ray Manzarek's ever-present keyboards. The twisted riff that opens "Light My Fire" is timeless, and the hypnotic middle section is one of the finest things the band laid down. "Twentieth Century Fox" has always been one of my favorites as well, but the whole album comes to a magnificent and eerie close with "The End." An eleven and a half minute opus including some of the most disturbing lyrics Jim Morrison ever devised set against a languid, hazy, psychedelic backdrop. If you really want to get into the Doors, this is certainly a great place to start.

By the way, Heretic, your reviews are impressively boring. As I was reading them, I noticed that you often used the same joke over three or more reviews. The one about music arrests was about as trite and unimaginative as you can get; please try to do better in the future. Have you actually listened to the album? It's so much better than Britney Spears that the difference in your reviews nearly killed me.

Sucker punch the one star reviewer
This is a classic album from one of the most innovative bands in the history of music.Ray Manzarek was the real star here- imagine playing bass chords and keyboard melodies at the same time.

As for The Heretic, you wouldn't know good music if it bit you in the arse.5 stars for Britney and R-Kelly; PLEASE.Stick to your queenie teeny bop crap and leave the classics to true music aficionados. ... Read more

Asin: B000002I25
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Proto-Punk    6. Psychedelic    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll   

Strange Days
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Even darker than their purple-hued debut, the Doors' follow-up, Strange Days, closed 1967 with an ominous flourish. Highlighted mostly by short, radio-friendly tunes such as the bluesy "Love Me Two Times" and the cabaret-style "People Are Strange" and featuring a smattering of edgy recitations ("Horse Latitudes") and smoky rockers ("My Eyes Have Seen You"), the album features a centerpiece that was another ambitious extended track, "When the Music's Over." On it, Morrison railed at everything from organized religion to pollution, and his rallying cry--"We want the world, and we want it now!"--became a call to arms for the counterculture rising up around the band. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (84)

Darker Psychedelic Darkness
And I thought their first one was on the dark side of the psychedelic spectrum.This one beats it on that. With all the exotic guitar and creepshow organ, you wonder if this is The Doors or some obscure California acid rockers alongside them. It's gotta be their most sinister album, though it never reaches the chills of "The End." It's still a classic, just not as good as the first one.

"Strange Days": Groovy organ opening. Jim's voice has a cool Moog synth effect. You'd have to listen to see what I mean.
"You're Lost Little Girl": Really dark song. Gives me chills. Haunting guitar solo.
"Love Me Two Times": Groovy harpsichord and all over class. A real classic.
"Unhappy Girl": Tack piano gives this a different feel. It s a bit short and minor key. But nice! Jim is said to have sung it hile his woman Pam Coursan gave him oral enjoyment in the lower region. !
"Horse Latitudes": Some poem Jim wrote in high school with soudn effets. Okay...runs right into...
"Moonlight Drive": Positively groovy. Spacey guitar solo and cool lyrics with a knockout wild ending. One of teh few happy songs/
"People Are Strange": Sure are. More tack piano. Considered a classic, but I'm less happy with it, though it is pretty damn good.
"My Eyes Have Seen You": Pumpin' bass, more tack, rockin guitar!
"I Can See Your Face In My Mind": Marimba be Ray. Cool little minor key groove. Oh yeah.
"When The Music's Over": Another long epic (10:56), but unlike "The End" in every way. Wailing guitar. Rockin "We Want to world" part and wild lyrics. Classic organ groove also. I swear Jim yells "f*** your dad" at the beginning of the guitar solo!

Hear the scream of the butterfly... (ahhhhhhh!)
Hailed as the group's darkest album, "Strange Days" revolves around the hippie movement of the '60s and the Vietnam war. Although most songs were made during the same time as their debut, both are completely different sounding albums. One shouldn't make the mistake by labeling this album as an album containing a bunch of leftovers (or just a "continuation") and saying their debut got the best. Try to picture the songs "Strange Days," "Moonlight Drive," "Horse Latitudes," or "People Are Strange" on their debut album. The flow of their debut album would sound weird. In other words, it wouldn't work.

Jim Morrison was a visionary and probably the most prophetic figure of his time. Look beyond his drunkeness, look beyond his good looks, look beyond his lovely voice and just hear what he has to say. This is an album about isolation, loss, and the loneliness that many people endured during the times of the Vietnam war. The title track could be about the drafting, which have "found" many men, "strange days" referring to the times of war, destroying "our casual joys," and people running away from it. Some of the tracks like "You're Lost Little Girl" and "Unhappy Girl" could center around the mind of the women, who are alone, sad, and confused, who were left behind while their men are away fighting. "Love Me Two Times," a song written by Robby Krieger, is a song about a man spending some time with his girl before he goes away to Vietnam. "Moonlight Drive," the song Jim first sung to Ray, could be about what a couple would do once the man comes back from the war. "People Are Strange" is another song about loneliness and feeling unwanted. "My Eyes Have Seen You" is perhaps a woman finding a new love, being liberated, and showing the whole world her beauty. "I Can't See Your Face" could be what's going on in a soldier's mind before he dies. "When the Music's Over," the grandioso rock epic alternative to "The End," a song of people fed up with what's wrong with the world (in this case, the war). An anthem for the hippie movement. An in-your-face statement. Sticking it to the man. As for "Horse Latitudes"? Hmm... I dunno... a bad dream about horses? Hey, I'm just trying to connect the dots here (and I do know that Jim wrote this in high school... all the more reason to explain why he's a prophet).

Jim Morrison's voice is still something that amazes me. Soft and romantic at one point, shifting into his chaotic and rebellious mode the next. Ray Manzarek... what more can be said about this brilliant organist? Damn fine talent. Robby Krieger, one of rock's underrated guitarists, adds more creativeness with his slide-guitar technique, making a unique sound. And John Densmore... the man that keeps the band together with his drumming.

"Strange Days" is probably not a "concept album" by any means whatsoever. It's probably not even like how I just described it. But that's just how I see it. And I'm showing why it's not just an album full of leftovers, but merely how it works as an album on its own.

"Strange Days" is the Doors' darkest album, but often misunderstood. And it comes close to being their best album.

Strange Days
This follow up to the first album really established the Doors as a force to be reckoned with back in the late 60's. Not only are the songs on this album great but i also love the cover on the album. In this album the songs are very psychedelic and groovy. This album also gives some of Jim's poetry some nice airtime with the little ditty Horse Latitudes, no instruments, just a bunch of people screaming in the background and banging on things while Jim does his thing, Cool! One of Jim's favorite songs is on this album, Love me two times (which was written by Robby Krieger). I highly recommend this album! Popular songs on this album include: Love me Two times, Moonlight drive, and People are Strange. ... Read more

Asin: B000002I27
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Proto-Punk    4. Psychedelic    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll   

Morrison Hotel
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

The next-to-last Doors album, recorded prior to Jim Morrison's still mystery-shrouded death in a Parisian bathtub, eschewed much of the band's previous penchant for baroque musical, poetic, and philosophical pretensions (this was, after all, the back-to-roots era of the Beatles' Let It Be, the Stones' Let It Bleed, and Dylan's Nashville Skyline). Instead, the Doors circa 1970 wisely seeped themselves in a bluesy, no-frills approach that might have hinted at creative exhaustion in a lesser band. Instead, the Doors of "Roadhouse Blues" and "Peace Frog" reinvented themselves into arguably one of the greatest bar bands ever, with Morrison's well-documented demons frolicking in a welcome new ambience. "Waiting for the Sun" and "Ship of Fools" may hearken back to the band's cabalistic and Kurt Weill leanings, respectively, but framed in an edgier, more effective way. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (89)

A Great Doors Album (4.5 stars)
Morrison Hotel/Hard Rock Café is a well influenced blues/rock album, and by many critics, is considered a prime choice for Doors albums. Although maybe not as psychadelic as some other efforts, it is very artistic and poetic in rockish sense.

The first side is easily the best, beginning with the heavy rocker, Roadhouse Blues, an instant hit with killer lyrics and an awesome metal riff. The album doesn't slow down from there taking us into Waiting For The Sun, a beautiful, poetic composition with a masterful chorus. You Make Me Real is a good, energetic rocker, and Peace Frog is a thrilling track, especially for its killer basslines at the beginning and unbelievable guitar riffs. A slower track comes with Blue Sunday and it is fairly well done, but Ship Of Fools gives it a much needed lift, with a great, rock based melody. Land Ho! is a solid rocker. The Spy has some nice keyboards and is a pretty ballad.
Morrison closes out with a nice bluesy number, Maggie Mcgill, The Doors giving us strong instrumental performances, with obvious blues roots built into nice keyboard vibes and spins.

Morrison Hotel achieves success with certain key components where some Doors albums didn't. I found the key to its success was consistency, as it stays very rooted to the essential theme of the album, and no track really breaks away from that theme. Lyrically exceptional as always, and it features easily one of the Doors greatest rockers, Roadhouse Blues. An absolute must fordiehard Doors fans, and possibly essential for the casual fan too, featuring some great rock numbers that most 60s rock listeners can appreciate. All in all a great album, and highly recommended.

A return to greatness
For me, 'Morrison Hotel' is a really solid album and a return to the rock/blues/jazz grounding that made the Doors great.The reason they sound so confident on this album is because they returned to making the music that sounded right to them.

And now, an overall rundown of the album itself.

Roadhouse Blues: a straightahead blues number with some fine harp.(10/10)

Waiting for the Sun: the liberal use of slide guitar, synthesisers and ominous lyrics creates an overall pleasing sound.(10/10)

You Make Me Real: almost a nod to the rock and roll of the 1950s.A bit cliched.(7/10)

Peace Frog: a downright funky number with some cool lyrics from Morrison.(10/10)

Blue Sunday: decent song but can be a bit boring.(6/10)

Ship of Fools: an upbeat song with some great musicianship and interesting lyrics.(10/10)

Land Ho!: sounds like it could easily be a sea shanty.Lots of fun.(9/10)

The Spy: a creepy-sounding song with a slow tempo.(8/10)

Queen of the Highway: musically, this song just keeps on building.(9/10)

Indian Summer: kind of boring.(5/10)

Maggie M'Gill: good old-fashioned blues with some great slide guitar.Foot-stomping fun!(10/10)

Even though this album has some forgettable songs, there are some fantastic songs that more than make up for it.A great album!

Why do I need to title? You KNOW what I'm writing about...
I discovered "Peace Frog" while running around my hometown between my junior and senior years of high school with an ex-girlfriend (although decidedly not at the time)when it came on the ONLY decent radio station in NE Wyoming. "That was the Doors? It sounded like Jim Morrison, definately weird enough", "They got all funk'dified" (Had been listening to Parliament earlier). Fortunately that particular station is good for actually telling you what you had or were about to listen to... and I got the name of the song. I don't normally buy an album based on a song, which probably puts me in a minority for the under 25 crowd, but I'd been a fan of the Doors anyhow. This is a very good album... it has quite a bit of diversity if you know what to look for, although some songs definately stand out above the rest.

There are some EXCELLENT reviews below for this album if you'd like more specifics... just bear in mind there are three types of Doors "fans". Those that appreciate inventive and thought provoking music, those that like some of the more overplayed songs (think "touch me") - and claim to be Led Zeppelin fans because they like "Stairway to Heaven", and vapid stoner losers who think substance abuse justifies debasing a remarkable band's musical contributions by assimilation by habits.

If you are either of the two groups, you're either insulted, or confused... but you are more than entitled to your own opinion and the recording industry will proudly support your buying habits. ... Read more

Asin: B000002I2I
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock & Roll   

L.A. Woman
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

The last official Doors studio album, L.A. Woman was still high on the charts when, like the "actor out on loan" of its closing track, "Riders on the Storm," Jim Morrison died in a Paris bathtub in the summer of 1971. Via such tracks as "The Changeling," "Crawling King Snake," and the frothy, rollicking title track, the collection leaned heavily toward the blues--in particular, Morrison's boastful "Lizard King" brand of it. It also holds another entry in the band's ever-adventurous tone poems in the ever-underrated mythical tale of American music and culture, "WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)." --Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (123)

The Doors Take to the Studio One Last Time...
And it works. Very well. This is the ultimate finisher of the legacy that the Doors left us. Love Her Madly, Riders on the Storm, the title track, and WASP are all essential cuts to any Doors collection. This is probably my favorite album out of them all, save Strange Days and their self-titled debut. Wow. This album's damn good.

Swans and a live bass player
The Doors burst onto the LA rock scene, and a few years later, they were releasing their final contractual album, and their 27-year-old singer sounded lika a gravel-voiced bluesman, looking less svelte than the young lion of only a few years earlier.

Images and myth aside, this album might be their strongest, excepting the legendary debut.The focus was a more raw rock and blue records, a followup from the 'return' that Morrison Hotel signaled after the strings and horns, trials, and internal fighting.

Working with Elvis' old bass player, the band recorded a lot of the album 'live', right there in the Doors' studios with the bathroom serving as a vocal booth.

The Changling is a relatively upbeat number complete with solid bass and some neat tempo changes.And from the beginning, you can tell the gruff difference in Morrison's voice.Years of abuse made him sound a whole heck of a lot older than 27 years.While he wasn't an expertly trained singer from the beginning, his voice was, and still is, immediately recognizable and warm.But the sound suits most every song here.

There are some real bluesy numbers, such as Cars Hiss By My Window, or Hyacinth House, which is a somber tune with a bluesy feel.Crawling King Snake, a live staple for years, finally made its way to an album, as did Texas Radio, various versions of which had appeared live for years.The standout track might be the great LA Woman, one of the briskest, coolest 7-minute rock classics ever.Jimbo's passion for the city and all it meant to him are summed up in the dark but driving tune that includes his shout-out to Mr Mojo Risin, his own name mixed around.It all closes with the great Riders on the Storm, the track that convinced Paul Rothchild not to produce and to let The Doors run the production and making on their own (with engineer Bruce Botnick).Complete with the rain and thunder, it's a spooky but playful track that is still a radio staple.

Not really a weak spot on here, unless you don't care for the slower, very bluesy tracks like Cars Hiss, or Crawling King Snake, or even the driving, gruff-sounding Down So Long.Hard to match up the Morrison on here and on the debut.

Most Doors albums had filler, there's no doubt, but this might have the least, and it's also the longest Doors LP they ever put out.By the time it appeared in record stores, Jimbo was in Paris where he'd eventually fade away, creating another legend and joining rock's '27' club.

If you don't own any Doors material, this is even a good start.While the band has a plethora of compilations, the albums are all rewarding, and they sound great remastered.

The Doors finest album
The Doors final album with Jim Morrison (they would go on to record two more albums as a trio), remains their masterpiece and belongs in every rock collection. From start to finish, the album is brilliant. It was the Doors at their absolute best. The Doors previous albums ranged from very good to classic, but their sixth album "L.A. Woman" was their crown jewel.

It's common for most bands to start out playing the blues and then evolve into a musical style/idenity all their own. In this sense, the Doors sort of evolved backwards. They started out playing crazy, psychedelic music, and then ended their career playing the blues.

"L.A. Woman" is a very bluesy album. It's not pure blues (B.B. King, Ledbelly), but it's rock tinged with blues. The band never sounded better. To be sure, the Doors albums were always terrific, but they sounded most at home with the blues. Playing blues rock brought out the best in all the Doors members. Ray Manzarek (organ) and Robby Krieger's (guitar) solos worked perfectly against a blues backdrop. Drummer John Densmore's jazzy style was also well suited for the blues.

As for Jim Morrison...I think the Jim Morrison of 1967 was best suited to sing psychedelic acid rock. His ultra-cool swagger and showmanship was the ultimate voice for such music. But the Jim Morrison of 1971 was a much different person. In four years, Morrison aged a lifetime. In 1967, he sounded and looked 23. In 1971, he looked and sounded like an old man. It's hard to believe that the same voice that sang "Light My Fire" sang "Riders on the Storm" only four years later. On "L.A. Woman," Morrison sounds worn and tired, but it matched the bluesy-jazzy downbeat music perfectly. Morrison's finest poetry was also in this swan song. Noting too obscure or bizarre to be found. It was his most honest, straightforward work.

"L.A. Woman" is simply The Doors finest collection of songs. There is no filler to be found. Each song is a jewel on The Doors crown creation. From the opening "The Changeling," to the closing "Riders on the Storm," every song is great. Whether is be the hard rocking "Love Her Madly," the downbeat "Cars His By My Window," the bohemian "The Wasp" or the sublime "Riders on the Storm," every song is a masterpiece.

The general theme of the album seems to be the underbelly of L.A. in the early 70s. The album seems to function as a snapshot/soundtrack of that time and place. It's all about living day-to-day, strung-out, alone, not knowing when it will all end. In that sense, I take "LA Woman" to be sort of like a diary in the lives of Jim and (his wife) Pam. When you listen to this album, you can feel the longing, the desperation, the torment, the addictions, of that time and place. These songs sound lived in. When you listen to Morrison's screams in the title track, or soft-spoken baritone in "Cars Hiss By My Window" you get the sense that he knew it was going to end soon. "Riders on the Strom" seems to acknowledge and accept this fate.

The Doors "L.A. Woman" is one of the greatest albums of all-time and it is an album that every rock fan should own.
... Read more

Asin: B000002I2M
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

The Doors Box Set
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 October, 1997)
list price: $69.98 -- our price: $62.99
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Editorial Review

Unlike many a box-set retrospective, this 1997 four-CD collection is clearly tailored for Doors aficionados rather than those curious but not overly familiar with the legendary '60s band's career and oeuvre. The first three discs are filled with previously unreleased live tracks and other rarities, such as the band's early demos, which found them slowly building a foundation stemming from each member's clear strengths and influences: Manzarek's classical background, Densmore's jazz, Krieger's rock, and Morrison's blues. Disc 4 features "band favorites" rather than hits, per se, and thus continues the insider tone taken by the compilation. Once you're inside, though, the rewards are many. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (72)

The Doors Box Set
Personally to me this is a great box set.Great previously released songs that even if they have been on other CD's, it's still a quality album.

The only CD's I have that rounds out my best collection of the Doors is all six studio albums, American Prayer, In Concert, Doors Box Set, and the double disc canadian import of The Best Of The Doors.I found this at a Coconuts in NJ once and unlike any I have seen on here or anywhere else, it's a full 37 songs long WITH the song I have never heard before ANYWHERE, the ORIGINAL.. NO ME MILESTE MOSQUITO.

It's nothing out of this world but the double disc CD I have is the only place I have ever found this song.There's very few lyrics on this song..

"No me mileste moquito, no me mileste mosquito, no me mileste mosquito, why don't you home?

No me mileste moquito, let me eat my burrito, no me mileste mosquito, why dont you go home?"

Other than that, in my opinion for a true Doors fan (minus the irrelevant 4th cd), this is a quality item to purchase.

whole is greater than the sum of the parts
I used to agree with those who say this box is a mess, a real hodge-podge of stuff.Listening to it lately however, I've come to think that this box actually does provide a good overview of The Doors--including the good, the bad, and the ugly.Even the much maligned "Band Favorites" disk comprises primarily those album tracks that are not represented elsewhere in the box in alternate studio or live format. The ongoing releases of Essential Rarities, Bright Midnight concert recordings, and "best of" packages may make this box redundant, but it still makes for an interesting afternoon's listening.

One good disc, two decent ones and one ridiculous filler.
This box set is mostly an ... attempt to trick fans of the band into dropping [$] on a bunch of recycled and misleading tracks.Disc 3 is great and would be worth the price of one CD, but only Doors junkies should consider dropping the duckets to buy this set.Consider purchasing the studio CDs and the one disc Live album instead. ... Read more

Asin: B000002HRA
Subjects:  1. AM Pop    2. Album Rock    3. Box Sets (Audio Only)    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Proto-Punk    7. Psychedelic    8. Rock    9. Rock & Roll   

In Concert
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 May, 1991)
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• Live

Reviews (28)

Dead cats, dead rats, Doors Live,
Nice to have all the live releases combined on one cd release.The songs seem to flow together and the sound quality is really good.Some highlights include "Back Door Man", "Gloria", and most of the popular Doors catalog of hit songs.Jim sounds in true form and the band rocks and keeps the energy pumping throughout this release.This will be one of your most often played cd's.

EXCELLENT CONCERT COLLECTION

This was my first Doors CD ever, I bought it back in 1992 when I was 11. I was just amazed of the energy Morrison could proyect on stage. This Double live album includes the LP's : Absolutely Live, Alive she cried and Live at the Hollywood Bowl with minor arrangements in the track order. You wont hear the differences, the songs are perfectly matched and mixed you wont believe they are from different shows. Instead of spending all your money on the three CDS, buy this collection for a fair amount, buy the three separated only if you want the track order and a few more songs here and there. Anyway, listen to it and judge yourself. Best Live Doors album.

One of the best live albums I've heard.
The sound quality of this CD is great. A lot of live albums fall short because the producers try to make the recordings sound like a studio album--all you hear is a stadium-esque roar at the end of each song that sits way back in the mix. What I love about this album is the same thing that I love about Frampton Comes Alive: the band is inspired, full of energy, and we can actually clearly hear individual people in the crowd yell and interact with the band. It gives one the impression that they're one step closer to actually being in the front row. You'll simply laugh at some of the things Morrison says to the crowd, and admire his incredible stage presence, which is felt all over this record.

The only thing I didn't like was the Back Door Man "medley." I wish they would have played the whole song because the little they played sounded great.

You'll either love or hate the "Celebration of the Lizard" portion of the first disc. It demonstrates the band's most uncommericial, though poetic, side.

It's also worth noting that a version of Gloria is on the second CD, though it sounds like it was recorded in the studio. ... Read more

Asin: B000002H92
Sales Rank: 32174
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

An American Prayer
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 May, 1995)
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Editorial Review

The Doors recorded six studio albums with Jim Morrison as their singer from 1967 to 1971, hitting the charts with a series of pop songs that were at least as good as Tommy James and the Shondells. On their albums, they indulged in Morrison's pretentious obsessions that included extended pieces about Oedipal complexes and the end of the world. Those obsessions have been exaggerated by The Doors myth that continues to this day. This is a collection of Morrison's poetry, embellished by the surviving Doors several years after the fact. That the live rendition of "Roadhouse Blues" is the only noteworthy selection should tell you what you need to know about the poetry. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Reviews (85)

A must-have for word-lovers
Jim Morrison to many was just seen as a crazy frontman for one of the most popular bands of the Classic Rock era. To many, however, he was even more than that - he was the container of a vast amount of literary knowledge, who had the ability to completely meld peoples' minds with his words. His poetry contained depressing, frightening, haunting, and perfectly-crafted descriptions, containing some of the most professional work I've ever read, from poets and other songwriters alike.

It is sometimes incoherent, sure, but the words are just so beautiful in how they work together to create an image that doesn't necessarily come to life through the meanings of words, but by the emotions that those words portray. It takes a real gift to make lyrics like this, but Jim Morrison is able to do it without having much more than a blues vocal and a well-constructed face.

One of my favorite selections from this LP is the inclusion of Morrison's experience as a child, when he witnessed a bloody car crash containing the deaths of many Native Americans in Connecticut. This is a true story (which I am sure cannot be said about all of the poems he recites on this LP) which really gripped me to continue through the rest of the LP.

Listening to it now, I can easily say this is one of my favorite Doors albums, even if you really can't call it a real Doors record. Since this contains mostly poem reciting and with mostly background music (but some of his old songs are redone, including a live performance or two - most memorably, a fantastic version of Roadhouse Blues) I guess you can't call it much of a "musical record" but the concept of this album itself is VERY strong. It really is a unique listen.

Another thing I'd like to point out is the audio quality of the disc (this is speaking about the Vinyl, but I'm sure the CDs are okay too if that's your thing). I found that, especially for a Doors record, the sound quality of this LP is FANTASTIC. It's really audiophile quality. Jim Morrison's voice is beautifully reproduced and is staged very well, and the instrumental mastering is at a crispness and refine level that few other recordings touch upon. And it's even better to know that this LP is mass-produced, so that many non-audiophiles are also experiencing this fantastic sound quality. It is rare to see high-quality recordings in high stock like this LP. Even if you dispise Jim Morrison or The Doors (people do, but I don't see how one could justify it!) at least make this record a part of your collection due to the rareness of the quality of the recording.

Again, this album isn't for everybody. But if you've ever realized and thought to yourself how unique and beautiful Jim Morrison's work really is, it would be doing yourself a huge favor to pick this album up. If you get it on vinyl, it's an even bigger gain!

Enjoy the music.
-Andrew

For the Completist Only...
Morrison's apologists praise this album, but it is a hard listen...and this comes from a Doors fan of over 37 years! Jim's poetry as edited into songs by The Doors has fed the myth of Jim as the great modern American Poet (although Robby Kreiger penned many lyrics commonly thought to be Morrison's), but as you listen to the spent fury of his spoken-word poetry, one quickly realizes that its very genesis comes from the pseudo-intellectualism of a teenager.In fact, many of Morrison's songs were modifications from the ramblings in his high school notebook.Many of the lyrics are simply vulgar and have no redeeming value to the listener (Ode to my c**k...how! How profound.)If you're a Doors fan, like I am, certainly buy this as part of The Doors legacy and to complete the collection, but if you are a casual fan and think this is a solo album that sounds like The Doors, you are best served by passing this one over.Listen to the sound clips on this site and I assure you that you'll pass this one by.

Well...
It's not that Jims poetry sucks, it's just that poetry sucks in general. And if you are into poetry, how do you separate poetry from musical lyrics? Jim, as a poet, isn't much better than Bernie Taupin or Paul McCartney. Jim is good because he is good, not for being a poet. All lyricists are poets (the lyrics of many songs rhyme and have a meter). Poetry is just a label. So don't like Morrison b/c he is a "poet," like him because he's a great frontman and songwriter. This album is just lyrics and some background music. ... Read more

Asin: B000002HJD
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Funk    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll   

Absolutely Live
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 October, 1996)
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Editorial Review

This 1970 double LP proved to be about as good an approximation of the singular methodology of a Doors concert as was possible in the pre-video era. Alternately short and to the point (like the AM radio hits "Touch Me," "People Are Strange," and "Hello, I Love You," among those featured here) and long and meandering (like such open-ended excursions as "When the Music's Over" and "The Celebration of the Lizard"), Morrison and crew displayed the full slate of their estimable powers as both musicians and motivators--continuing to daringly break through whatever sonic and thematic doors they opened. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (30)

The Doors let loose
Even though it doesn't contain all the hits you'd expect to hear from the Doors like 'Light My Fire' and 'Love me two times', this is still a very good set.The reason being that the Doors are able to display their obvious prowess as a blues band.Blues numbers like 'Who Do You Love?', 'Build me a Woman' and 'Close to You' played with a lot of feeling and that makes these songs very enjoyable, even in the absence of the band's usual hits.

We also get to hear fantastic, long versions of showstoppers like 'Five to One' and 'When the Music's over'.The band is on fire and they obviously relish the chance to spread their wings for a while in these long instrumental passages.

My only gripe is that Jim's poetry, although it is great, seems to be a bit out of place and takes some of the momentum away from the show.

Otherwise, this is a great package and it is quintessential Doors.

The one decent live Doors album
I'm sorry, but "Alive She Cried" is marred by Morrison's escalating problem of being wasted, sometimes not even appearing onstage. At one such show in France, the band played as a trio and keyboardist Ray Manzarek took over lead vocals and displayed a Morrison imitation I hadn't known he could do. And the later "Live At Hollywood Bowl" is only an EP with less than 20 minutes on it and only two real songs: "Light My Fire" and "Unknown Soldier", the rest of the tracks being loose segments from "Celebration Of the Lizard", which you get on this release in its entirety. But on this album, Morrison is in fairly good voice, only marred by having to transpose the refrain of "Break On Through" because he did that one too late in the show to be able to make the high notes. He does start that one off with the spoken intro to "Soft Parade", an album that wasn't out yet. We also get the blues oldie "Close To You" lead sung by Manzarek, who we only hear on lead elsewhere on the b-side of the single "Wishful Sinful", a track that hasn't reappeared on any rarities sets. This is a bit prophetic, because after Morrison's death the band did two more albums as a blues trio, with Manzarek and guitarist Krieger swapping off lead vocal duties. Those albums are "Other Voices" and "Full Circle" and neither are in print anymore. It figures--after all, you have no Morrison, you have no Doors in many fans' eyes. But the centerpiece of the album is the epic "Celebration Of the Lizard", a work hinted at on the cover of the album "Waiting For the Sun", lyrics printed in full, but the only part of it that actually appeared on that album was "Not To Touch the Earth". They never did get around to doing "Celebration" in the studio.

Absolutely Brilliant
Jim Morrison is god. The house announcer starts the CD off telling people to make aisles and what not. Then The Doors start playing Who Do You Love. And then There is a medley of Alabama song, Backdoor Man, Love Hides, And Five To One. I love The Alabama Song, it is one of the best Doors Songs (covers) ever. I also love how Backdoor Man cuts into it, even though somtimes I wish they'd just play the whole Alabama Song. Jim screaming is real cool. Not too many people did stuff like that in the past. The way he sings this version is cool, he sounds real drunk and like he doesn't care too much about anything. Love Hides sucks. Five To One is real cool. Build Me a Woman is okay. When the Music's Over is a real cool one. It's about sixteen minutes it's real cool. I like how he says something about only guys rushing the stage and that being a New York thing. Close To You is a pretty cool song. Universal Mind is real cool. I love Jim's poetry and there is a lot of it on this CD. That is what I love about it. Petition The Lord With Prayer is cool as hell. It's a good filler. It cuts right into Dead Cats, Dead Rats And Break On Through, which is crazy cool. Celebration Of The Lizard is my favorite part of the CD it has a lot of cool poetry. Lions In The Street which is a poem that is real beautiful. Wake Up is also real cool. It's cool to follow it cause it eventually builds up into Not To Touch The Earth and two other poems that all make sort of a story. You'd have to be in the right mind to catch it. Not To Touch The Earth is a killer song. I'd say it's up there withAlabama song being one of the best Doors' Songs. This version has a Poem called Names Of The Kingdom and the two together are an orgasm it's great. And then the Doors do an extended version of Soul Kitchen and then it's all over. ... Read more

Asin: B000002HNR
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Psychedelic    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll   

The Ceremony Continues (Interview)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 March, 1992)
list price: $11.97
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Reviews (4)

just Jim
a wonderful interview with Jim Morrison. It shows the Intelligent human being side of him, together with his "primitive" side. The journalist or interviewer) is pretty much mean towards Jim, so Jim attacks back.

This CD does not contain music at all, it's an interview done with jim, in the doors office in 1970.

This is a Cd for the Doors Hardcore
Well I am a big fan of the Doors, I have every song ever released by them, so I know a little bit about their music. This CD is great, but if you dont know jim, you wont like it. Great tip here. There are several Books about the Doors and Jim Morrison, If you like this CD, you will like the Bookseven more. If you want to know more about the Doors I will probably havethe amswer, for I have been studying The Group for about 8 year now. Sodrop me a line.

James Douglas Morrison, 1943-71.Poet and Velvet Menace.
I got about six different CD's and LP's featuring this, all with different covers etc, so I'm not sure what the sound quality of this one is like but it's well worth having in your collection. ... Read more

Asin: B0000011R4
Sales Rank: 194369
Subjects:  1. Psychedelic    2. Rock & Roll   

Dionysus
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 November, 2002)
list price: $26.98 -- our price: $26.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Import

Reviews (6)

jim
jim wasnt a rock and roll icon, he wanted something more sacred than that

Not bad.
I thought this wasn't bad, but I still like American Prayer
better.

By the way, is it just my imagination, or does Jim resemble
Charlie Manson on the cover?

nice
This CD is not bad at all. Jim talks plenty here! ... Read more

Asin: B00002511L
Sales Rank: 268775
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Spoken   

Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 November, 2000)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Editorial Review

More fun than any tribute album has a right to be, Stoned Immaculate is clearly a labor of love that manages to embrace the spirit of the Doors without regressing into parading a line of Jim Morrison impersonators through the studio. Much credit goes to producer Ralph Sall, who--in addition to setting up collaborations between the surviving Doors and an array of artists from John Lee Hooker to Days of the New--also breaks out the beats and samples to create a few "new" Doors tracks. While Sall is no Fatboy Slim (despite the winking nod to "Bird of Prey" during the fadeout of "Under Waterfall"), his reconstructions add texture and variety, especially when the late William Burroughs steps up to the mic. But the true highlights here are the more organic collaborations: the three remaining Doors backing Bo Diddley and Ian Astbury; an unexpectedly great "Love Me Two Times" from Aerosmith; and Stone Temple Pilots helping Kreiger and Manzarek "Break on Through" even harder on a track that threatens to transcend the original. Hell, even the weaker contributions beat out Jose Feliciano. Come to think of it, if the Doors are still auditioning Morrison replacements (Kevin Coyne and Howard Werth no longer being available), STP's Weiland, Creed's Stapp, or the Cult's Astbury all acquit themselves well enough here to warrant an offer. -- Bill Forman ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (48)

Under Waterfall??
I am an avid Doors fan, yet I have NEVER heard Under Waterfall... Does anyone know when/where it's from??I thought I possesed a hard copy every song the Doors have ever recorded/played, and low and behold, a song that sounds album worthy just pops out of nowhere!Anyways, some help/enlightenment would be appreciated!

Good Tribute, Could Have Been Better.
The Doors remain one of the most influential bands of all time and so it seems fitting that big names like Creed, Stone Temple Pilots and Aerosmith would pay them tribute, and they do it with flare and gusto. The album is a great exhibit of the theater, poetry and sound The Doors brought to rock music. Yet, this album could have been much more. First let's look at the performances. Stone Temple Pilots open the album with a stylish, energetic "Break On Through" that serves as great modernization of the song but also a loving homage to the original. One of the band's stellar tracks (especially when you look at their recent material). Creed follows with another masterful cut, their "Riders On The Storm" pulses and builds, it is a perfect hybrid of the Creed sound and Doors spirit. Robby Krieger here adds a great slide guitar solo. Train kills the mood with a horrible "Light My Fire" that totally loses the timeless essence of the original and makes the lame assumption it is nothing more than a hippie tune. Smash Mouth delivers a fun "Peace Frog" that keeps the spirit of the original with a little modern fusion of what one can see as hip-hop and semi-Punk feels. Days Of The New also delivers with an exhilarating, edgy "L.A. Woman" (eventhough I would have preferred Iggy Pop here considering he was the original rumored name for this song). Aerosmith burns and grinds with an awesome "Love Me Two Times" that stands as the best cover of this song ever performed. The Cult proves to be a metal band of great magnitude with "Wild Child," a burning cover that retains the tribal feel of the original. Ian Astbury delivers one of the best vocals on the record. Some have given a bad look towards the combination of John Lee Hooker's vocals with Jim Morrison's for "Roadhouse Blues," this is not a bad track though. It's a great blues jam with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea on bass. William S. Burroughs delivers his last recording here, the grandfather of Punk reads a loving homage to Morrison in the form of his poetry. Oleander (whatever happened to them?) gives a not so-great "Hello I Love You" (U2 would have been perfect here). Ian Astbury of The Cult performes an unwanted "Touch Me" while Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction and Exene Cervenka of X read some more Morrison poetry (why not sing a duet?) while Bo Diddley presents a rather boring "Love Her Madly." Days Of The New finish with a rather fresh, alsmost hypnotic "The End." It seems that the first half of the album works while the second feels lazier. Oh, the Burroughs track is great and "The End" rocks, but do we honestly want "Touch Me?" Why not "People Are Strange," "The Crystal Ship" or "When The Music's Over?" Even a Blondie "Moonlight Drive" would be welcome. "Five To One" was recorded by Marilyn Manson but was kept to be used a B-side for his "Holy Wood" album (great track too). "Under Waterfall" and "The Cosmic Movie," remixes of Doors samples are interesting, but not as interesting as it would have been to see maybe U2 or Pearl Jam deliver a track. If one looks at the current Ramones tribute album, one sees what this one was missing: More bands performing. Hell, where's Jim Carroll? Iggy Pop is sorely missed as well as all of X and Jane's Addiction, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Garbage could've done a track. The plain truth is, a fanatic Doors fan like myself expects more from people who supposedly want to keep Jim Morrison's legacy alive (is Bo Diddley really the best way to introduce "Love Her Madly" to a new audience?). I say a re-make is needed, Danny Sugerman and Ray Manazarek, the most feverent keepers of the flame, should've thought of more to add. Reportedly, a new Doors album is in the works, let's hope some of the mentioned abscentees can make it.

When the Stoning's Over
Okay, now whats with all this dissing of Tarin's cover of Light my Fire? I'll admit, it doesn't compare with the original, but it's a hundred times better than Jose Feliciano's wretched mangling! I mean, at least Train seems to understand the lyrics! And everyone here is bashing STP, Stappy, and The Cult for trying to imitate Jim, but Train just makes the song all new and different! Enjoy it for Mojo's sake! (Although I dearly miss the Organ intro)
Now the others...
STP's Break on Through blew my socks off! It's possibly better than the original! Wild Child is better than the original, and vies with Break on Thru for #1 song on the album! Riders on the Storm is excellent, as is Smashmouth's Peace Frog. Exene and Farrel give an interesting spin on Celebration of the Lizard, but it is lacking in Jim's trademark screams, moan, whines, and wails that made me jump in my seat the first time I heard it.
Love Her Madly is excellent, Touch Me is a good cover of a so-so song. Hooker's Roadhouse Blues is uninsired. the band sounds top notch, but all he does is repeat what Jim says, and not very interestingly.
LA Woman and The End are also excellent, and Love me Two Times is AWESOME!
In all, an excellent album, but misiing some of my favorite. It needs a cover of the Crystal Ship (Tori Amos! She could have handlesd the piano solo beautifully!), Soul Kitchen (PAUL MCARTNEY(!) or U2) and Five to One (Yes, we all know Manson did a cover, but how about getting Eric Clapton to give it a whirl!)

All in all, a worthy buy. ... Read more

Asin: B00002R0K6
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Electric Chicago Blues    4. Fusion    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Post-Grunge    8. Psychedelic    9. R&B    10. Rock    11. Rock & Roll