WINDOWS (The Doors - The Doors)

Member Name: JB01

Product:	The Doors - The Doors
Date:	20/02/06 (143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent 60's progressive rock

Disadvantages: Not enough of it !

The DOORS make my top 10 favourite bands and their 1st album “THE DOORS” still maintains it’s place as one of their best (Absolutely Live being 1 of the others). First produced and published in 1967 by the band which consisted of JIM MORRISON (vocals), RAY MANZAREK (keyboards), ROBBY KRIEGER (guitar), JOHN DENSMORE (drums) and stayed that way until JIM’s death by heart attack in Paris in 1971. They produced what was for its time a unique blend of sound.

***THE ALBUM***

The front cover shows the face of Morrison alongside his 3 colleagues photographed by Guy Webster, the back cover 4 heads of the members by Joel Brodsky. Produced by P. A. Rothchild. Engineered in Hollywood, my latest copy on CD was remastered by Rothchild by Digital Magnetics.

***THE MUSIC***

All the songs are by the DOORS except 2; Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) from Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s 1929 Aufesteig Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny) and Willie Dixon’s “Back Door Man” originally a hit for Howlin’ Wolf). Although the DOORS get the credit on the album cover for the songs most of the original songs were written by Morison/Krieger. he DOORS had no regular bass player and Manzarek used his keyboard to add a bass rhythm or they used session men.

***THE SONGS***

BREAK ON THROUGH (To The Other Side) 2:25

Basic and Roll coupled with an intensive West Coast sound, plenty of Manzarek’s keyboard sound.

SOUL KITCHEN 3:30

A more light-hearted rhythm than the above with less intensive Morrison lyrics.

THE CRYSTAL SHIP 2:30

Piano and organ sounds together suggest that this track was developed from the studio and for recordings.


TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX 2:30

Light hearted attempt at a characterture of Holly Wood and the female acting profession.

ALABAMA SONG (Whiskey Bar) 3:15

German opera - 1 for the pub-crawl or booze cruise. Manzareks organ would not sound out of place in a fair ground show.

LIGHT MY FIRE 6:30

Basic rock and roll their most famous single. Covered by several respectable artists, rather long for a single. Krieger’s guitar solo sounds rather dated these days but innovative at the time couples nicely with Morrison lyrics.

BACK DOOR MAN 3:30

Chicago Blues originally a hit for Howlin’ Wolf. Manzarek’s organ and Krieger’s guitar duet together. Morrisons inane lyrics sit on top.

I LOOKED AT YOU 2:18

Light - hearted simplistic tune with repetitive lyrics - not the best of the Doors work. Carried mainly by Morrison’s sound.

END OF THE NIGHT 2:49

Dreamy sound from the West Coast twangy guitar solo from Krieger towards the end.

TAKE IT AS IT COMES 2:13

More up beat tempo than the last track. With a dated organ solo.

THE END 11:35

Oedipal epic and the first real testimony to Jims lyrics. Used for sound with the film Apocalypse Now. Morrison’s starts ranting mid way through.

“Father yes son I want to kill you, mother I want to (scream)."

This tracks builds to a frenetic ending the sound is reminiscent of Warhol’s Velvet Underground and the plastic Exploding Inevitable. This is probably not 1 for the youngsters due to its length.

***MY OPINION***

Definitely a DOORS and rock and roll classic, some of their all time best tunes are on this album including the famous Light my fire single that launched their career. The simple West Coast sound of the DOORS underpins Morrison’s lyrics and amazing voice, really only Elvis could match him. If only Jim and the band could have made it happen 10 years earlier they may have out smarted Presley. The DOORS went on to produce some more great sounds and where renowned for there live act. If you have never heard them it is worth downloading 1 or 2 tracks for a sample it really is amazing rock and roll. This remains 1 of my all time favourite albums. Something to be savoured with sipping whiskey. I’ve just played my copy again, they were really amazing, if only Jim Morrison had lived.

Summary: The Doors 1st album - some say the best, do you ?