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The Doors

From their beginnings during the summer of 1965 at Venice Beach, California, The Doors were truly aband, a remarkable fusion of creative energies, a lot of attention has been focused on Jim Morrison which his looks and talents clearly justify. However, Jim was well aware that the magic of The Doors could never have happened without the fortunate forging of John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison into a single creative whole. It is no mystery why Jim Morrison never went solo; so sympathetic were the three other musicians to Jim's mission that such a consideration was out of the question. Robby Krieger, or example, was able to write lyrics and music that sounded more like Morrison than Morrison himself— among them "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times,"and "Love Her Madly." Without Krieger, Manzarek and Densmore there is a strong chance that Jim's songs would never have made it off the page, into rehearsal, onto the stage, into the recording studio and, in defiance of all odds, to successive generations who have since discovered The Doors as a "new" group.

Ray Manzarek, a classically trained pianist, raised in Chicago with a deep love for the blues, wrote the themes for many of the songs and played not only the keyboard parts but simultaneously (with his left hand) propelled the band with melodic driving bass lines. John Densmore, a jazz drummer with an unbeatable knack for shamanic rhythm and theatrical timing... the band's tireless engine. Robby Krieger, a songwriting secret weapon who could play any guitar, from classic flamenco to bottle-neck blues, to creating styles and sounds previously unheard on this planet. And Jim Morrison, the baritone, eclectic/electric poet with an innate compositional gift and the soul of a mystic. Together these men brought The Doors' songs to life, they were equal points of a musical diamond.

The band took its name from the poet-visionary-artist William Blake, who had written, "When the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear to man as they truly are...infinite." English author Aldous Huxley was sufficiently inspired by Blake's quote to title his book on mescaline experiences The Doors of Perception. Morrison was so connected to both works that he proposed, The Doors, to his bandmates. Everyone agreed that the name, as well as the inspiration from which it sprang, was perfect to convey who they were and clearly representive for what they stood for. The group was signed to Elektra Records, then a small folk-music record company, in July of 1966 by Jac Holzman, Elektra's founder.

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Album Review

The Doors: Live In Bakersfield August 21, 1970 (2CD)

Read "Live In Bakersfield August 21, 1970 (2CD)" reviewed by Doug Collette


The somewhat checkered history of archival exhumations from the vault of the Doors would no doubt preclude thinking that Live at the Matrix 1967: The Complete Masters (Rhino, 2023) would constitute anything like a 'be all and end all' of such efforts. Still, to see Live in Bakersfield August 21, 1970 issued in such short order (ten weeks) after the aforementioned package is something of a surprise, if for no other reason than its appearance in compact disc ...

8
Album Review

The Doors: Live At The Matrix 1967: The Original Masters

Read "Live At The Matrix 1967: The Original Masters" reviewed by Doug Collette


With a glossy finish adding to the diaphanous effect, the color filters applied to the images of the Doors inside and outside the package capture the essence of the music inside. In a most practical sense. Reliably sourced from the master tapes this time--in contrast to the 2008 release--Live At The Matrix 1967 : The Original Masters contains thirty- seven tracks from the San Francisco shows and posits the iconic group as a balanced four-man collective prior to the popularity ...

9
Book Review

Behind The Doors - The Story Of A Legendary Band's Road Manager

Read "Behind The Doors - The Story Of A Legendary Band's Road Manager" reviewed by Doug Collette


Behind The Doors -The Story Of A Legendary Band's Road Manager Vince Treanor 522 Pages Aldus Boek Compagnie 2022 Vince Treanor's Behind The Doors is unlike any other book to date devoted to the iconic Sixties band. Granted, the author indulges in his share of hyperbole (usually devoted to the Doors early live performances). But he is just as scathing, if not more so, in his criticism of various personages, including but not limited ...

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Album Review

The Doors: L. A. Woman: Fiftieth Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Read "L. A. Woman: Fiftieth Anniversary Deluxe Edition" reviewed by Doug Collette


The 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of The Doors' L.A. Woman is the fifth such package issued of the iconic band's catalog (the sole exception to the CD-plus-vinyl LP configuration is the corresponding anniversary edition of Strange Days (Elektra, 1967). And, like its predecessors, as well as other titles such as the audio and video configurations of The Doors: Live At The Bowl '68 (Rhino, 2012), the package benefits tremendously from the insightful recollections and technical wizardry of the group's long-time ...

4
Book Review

The Collected Works of Jim Morrison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts, and Lyrics

Read "The Collected Works of Jim Morrison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts, and Lyrics </em>" reviewed by Doug Collette


The Collected Works of Jim Morrison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts, and Lyrics Jim Morrison 584 Pages ISBN: # 978-0063028975 Harper Collins 2021 As Jim Morrison's career evolved over its egregiously abbreviated lifespan, the lead vocalist for the Doors became as ambivalent about his image as the image itself turned ambiguous. From obscurity to celebrity to notoriety and back again--at least relatively speaking within the fold of the quartet from 1970 on— an adoring audience ...

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Film Review

The Doors: Break On Thru - A Celebration of Ray Manzarek

Read "The Doors: Break On Thru - A Celebration of Ray Manzarek" reviewed by Doug Collette


The Doors The Doors: Break On Thru -A Celebration Of Ray Manzarek Trafalgar Releasing Palace 9 Cinemas, South Burlington, VT February 12, 2020 The Doors: Break On Thru -A Celebration Of Ray Manzarek, lives up to the spirit of its subtitle. In the course of the film's roughly ninety minutes, director Justin Kreutzmann efficiently interweaves the main concert footage with interviews of the various participants plus vintage archival video in such a way ...

5
Album Review

The Doors: The Soft Parade - 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Read "The Soft Parade - 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition" reviewed by Doug Collette


The 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of The Doors' The Soft Parade might well be reconfigured to a great degree without sacrificing its multi-configuration format. In doing so, this milestone package would then even more vividly depict this turbulent period in the iconic band's history. Even as it is, however, the existing combination of compact disc and vinyl brings clarity to a controversial entry in the Doors' early discography. Given that the previously-unreleased content on CD two runs roughly ...

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Event

Marcus Rezak & PR Productions Assemble An All-Star Lineup Ft. Members Of The Doors, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, The Motet & More For Friendsgiving Show At Troubadour In West Hollywood

Marcus Rezak & PR Productions Assemble An All-Star Lineup Ft. Members Of The Doors, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, The Motet & More For Friendsgiving Show At Troubadour In West Hollywood

Source: Michael Ricci

On Friday, November 25th, virtuosic guitarist Marcus Rezak will perform a special Friendsgiving show with an all-star lineup at the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. Presented by PR Productions, the three-set performance will feature Felix Pastorius (Hipster Assassins), Dave Watts (The Motet), Wally Ingram (Bob Weir/Phil Lesh), Adam MacDougall (Circles Around the Sun), Ben “Smiley” Silverstein (The Main Squeeze) with special appearances by Robby Krieger (The Doors), Ike Willis (Frank Zappa), Arthur Barrow (Frank Zappa), Scott Page (Pink Floyd), ...

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Event

Eastman School of Music's Keystone Centennial Event - Opens the Doors

Eastman School of Music's Keystone Centennial Event - Opens the Doors

Source: Eastman School of Music

On March 4, 1922, the Eastman School of Music officially opened its doors to the community. On that date, all the main building’s floors had been completed, including the Main Hall (now Lowry Hall), the Cominsky Promenade, and the stunning Kilbourn Hall. A chamber music concert was given that evening to dedicate the concert space that has now heard thousands of performances ever since. Fast forward 100 years... From March 2 through 6, 2022, Eastman will offer a wide variety ...

Recording

The Doors Launch Interactive iPad App, Exclusively On The App Store

The Doors Launch Interactive iPad App, Exclusively On The App Store

Source: 1888 Media

LOS ANGELES – The Doors are once again poised to break on through with a first-of- its-kind iPad app, THE DOORS, available exclusively on the App Store. Released on May 6, 2013, by Warner Music Group’s Rhino Entertainment, the app brings the band’s story to life with an unprecedented immersive experience that delves deeply into every aspect of The Doors’ iconic career with interactive content, unpublished band images and artwork, rare videos, music, and much more. THE DOORS APP was ...

2

Radio

One Hour With Ray Manzarek Of The Doors

One Hour With Ray Manzarek Of The Doors

Source: Susan Marie

Two years ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ray Manzarek from The Doors. In this one hour live interview, Ray and I talk about The Doors, play live music, tap into his jazz and blues influences, various keyboards and methods and educate the public about his work as an author. Ray speaks of Dorothy, his grandchildren, his life with The Doors, of Jim and Pam and of his own future. Upbeat and lively, Ray and I were laughing ...

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Video / DVD

The Doors - Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman DVD (2012)

The Doors - Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman DVD (2012)

Source: Something Else!

Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story Of L.A. Woman is a new, 100 minute DVD documentary from Eagle Rock that chronicles the creation of what turned out to be the Doors final album with iconic lead singer Jim Morrison—the band recorded two more as a trio, before disbanding— 1970's L.A. Woman. As tempting as it might be for some to grouse that the Doors have already been done to death as a “rockumentary" subject, this film actually manages to unearth some ...

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Recording

The Doors: "She Smells so Nice"

The Doors: &quot;She Smells so Nice&quot;

Source: JamBase

“THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" UNDERWAY WITH 40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ICONIC L.A. WOMAN ALBUM The Doors have officially debuted the first new, completely unreleased song in 40 years, “She Smells So Nice." The bluesy track captures the band—organist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and late singer Jim Morrison—joyfully barreling through the full-throttle original. Bruce Botnick, the album's co-producer with the band, recently made the discovery while reviewing the L.A. Woman session tapes for the 40th anniversary ...

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Recording

The Doors: L.A. Woman 40th Anniversary Reissue

The Doors: L.A. Woman 40th Anniversary Reissue

Source: JamBase

40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF L.A. WOMAN ALBUM; AND NEW DVD/BLU-RAY ON JANUARY 24, 2012 Fans of iconic rock band The Doors are in for something special. The group's final album, 1971's L.A. Woman, with the signature hits “L.A. Woman," “Love Her Madly" and “Riders On The Storm"—is being celebrated with a special two-CD release from Rhino and a behind-the-scenes DVD/Blu-ray from Eagle Rock Entertainment. The L.A. Woman 40th anniversary edition (Rhino 2-CD) features a never-before-heard song, “She Smells So Nice," ...

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Music Industry

The Doors Respond to Florida's Pardon of Jim Morrison

The Doors Respond to Florida's Pardon of Jim Morrison

Source: JamBase

40 YEARS AFTER MEDIA AND COURT CIRCUS, THE DOORS SPEAK OUT In the wake of Florida's decision to issue a pardon to Jim Morrison of The Doors more than 40 years after his alleged obscene acts on a Miami stage, his bandmates Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Robby Krieger issued this statement: “In 1969 the Doors played an infamous concert in Miami, Florida. Accounts vary as to what actually happened on stage that night. Whatever took place that night ended ...

191

Recording

The Doors: Live in New York

The Doors: Live in New York

Source: JamBase

Live In New York Documents The Doors' Final Four New York Concerts with Jim Morrison In Their Entirety with Six-Disc Collection Boxed Set Due November 10, 180-Gram Vinyl Pressings of All the Band's Studio Albums Available September 15

Rhino and Bright Midnight Archives unleash four inspired performances from The Doors' final tour with Live In New York. The latest addition to the band's acclaimed series of archival concert releases, this six-disc collection contains all four of ...

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Music Industry

The Doors Are Closing, but the Jazz Bakery is Still in Play

The Doors Are Closing, but the Jazz Bakery is Still in Play

Source: Michael Ricci

The lauded music venue may be closing its doors this weekend, but owner Ruth Price is working on plans to keep the music going.

The Jazz Bakery, a staple of the L.A. music community, will close its doors Sunday after losing its lease, but owner Ruth Price insists it's too early to write a eulogy for the club, which has occupied the same space at the Helms Bakery District for the last 16 years.

“I've been really stressing the word ...

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