The Doors Album: “In Concert”

From the first track you know you are in for a treat. An unruly and uncooperative crowd has surged into the aisles and front rows in "House Announcer" in anticipation of the band, and it's exactly the tone and mood that will take you through an incredible and exotic journey of 31 tracks of rock & roll, cabaret, performance art, and poetry readings.

The Celebration of the Lizard (King), tracks 13 through 19, are perhaps the highlight of this album. Morrison's poetry rings true to the feeling of the uncertainty of the era, shamanism, Greek tragedy, and mysticsm reminiscent of Omar Khayyam, all backed by a hard rock band that had few peers equal to the drums of Densmore, the classically trained guitar style of Krieger, and magician-like hands of Manzarek playing a bass line on one keyboard and simultaneous rythm/lead on another.

Other highlights for In Concert include an extended version of "The End" that supercedes the studio version in its soul and ambience. Also, the Doors lighten up the dark mood set by their more epic pieces, excellent unto themselves ("When The Music's Over", "Light My Fire" w/ an excellent inclusion of the brooding and picteresque "The Graveyard Poem"), with fun versions of "Dead Cats"/"Break On Through" and "You Make Me Real".

The list goes on and on, song after song of a band that was moving forward in its abilities and destined for something even greater and more unique, halted by the death of their charismatic and insufferable lead singer Jim Morrison. Note the comparisons of this album to other live albums, and you will see "In Concert" is a little bit of everything, a comprehensive collection of the "better" live recordings available commercially.

At the time this album was issued, my initial reaction to some of the song selections was of slight dissapointment. Yet many bootlegs and live Doors albums later, "In Concert" now reigns supreme and is a trusted old friend.

"The Doors In Concert" is a great taste of The Doors sound live. It is exhilarating, hypnotic, poetic and filled with timeless music. Disc 1 is basically the previously released "Absolutely Live" (except for a few changes in the cutting and editing) and has some great moments. The opening is a rare, rich Doors cover of "Who Do You Love" and features some great slide guitar by Robby Krieger. This is followed by a medley composed of "Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)," a roaring "Backdoor Man" where legendary frontman Jim Morrison lets out some of his primitive side, "Love Hides" which could've been left out, it is a bore, and the edgy, revolutionary and in-your face "Five To One" (with the famous lyric, "No one here gets out alive"). Among the other great moments are "When The Music's Over," a lively version of "Break On Through" and the ending, a fun version of "Soul Kitchen." One thing Doors fans must value about this CD is that it contains the complete piece, "The Celebration Of The Lizard," a long poetic work composed of different "songs." It includes the "Waiting For The Sun" cut, the hypnotic "Not To Touch The Earth." Disc 2 is slightly better, it has some of the more popular songs in fact, some better playing. "Roadhouse Blues" is a great blues classic while "Gloria" is a surprisingly good tune. The performance of "Light My Fire" is hypnotic, poetic and has some great instrumentals (Ray Manzarek's organ-playing is especially captivating). The live version of "You Make Me Real" is fun and never bores while "Love Me Two Times" comes out as one of The Doors' best songs, a true classic. I was surprised how good "Moonlight Drive" came out. The slide guitar is dreamy and edgy and the whole song surpasses the album version. The track is poetic and dreamy. One treat here is that we get to hear Ray Manzarek go solo on vocals with "Close To You." "Unknown Soldier" is okay, but there has been better. Ah yes, now we come to The Doors' masterpiece, Jim Morrison's great epic, dark ballad, "The End." It is the version performed at the Hollywood Bowl. There have been better versions, but this one works. It can turn into a hypnotic trip with an Eastern taste and moments of true poetry, it is also macabre when Morrison takes into a violent ending of Oedipal sex. All in all, this is the best Doors live collection out there. It is an example of what they were on stage and how Jim Morrison and his music have influenced some many other artists. It is rare to have such original groups come along, here is one of the best.

This is a great 2 CD Doors live music set. The sound quality is pretty good and Jim Morrison's banter with the crowd is always entertaining. I loved it when he asked the audience what they wanted to hear after "Who Do You Love" and you could hear shouts from the people for "Light My Fire", but instead the band went into "Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)". Classic Morrison. Always the antagonist. Morrison and the rest of the Doors are in great form throughout all the tracks. The improvisation on "The End" makes it radically different than the regular versions on the studio CD and the extended play one from the Box Set. The songs that really struck me were the already mentioned "Who Do You Love", "Universal Mind", "Soul Kitchen", and "Moonlight Drive". But all the rest of the songs were great too. My only complaint is the edit of the song "Gloria". The Box Set contains the unedited version which sounds more complete. I guess Elektra found "Gloria" too graphic to be released in its full form on this sample of Doors concert material. Great listen though and well worth the price.

All The Doors you need to own, along with "Waiting for the Sun." This is a remarkable collection of live music, assembled with an ear for the music so that the tracks flow seamlessly together. it helps that many of the tracks have been assembled into medleys including the fantastic "Celebration of the Lizard" which takes in 7 pieces ranging from "Lions in the Street" to "The Palace of Exile." This is Morrison at his best, on stage, unfettered, able to draw everything out of his magical songs. The long, extended "The End" carries with it all the weight it had in "Apocalypse Now." But, it was concert gems like the pairing of "Dead Cats, Dead Rats" with "Break On Through #2" that really make this box set memorable. There is plenty of music here which will keep you going for a long, long time.

This double CD is actually a compliation of three previously released albums: "Absolutely Live", "Alive She Cried" and "Live at the Hollywwod Bowl". I`ve always complained about the sound quality and play of most live Doors recordings. But when Morrison really wanted, he could be the best Rock and Roll singer of all time, set the night on fire and performe until he couldn`t stand any more. The songs included here are the best ones ever featured ona live Doors set. Highlights include: "Soul Kitchen", "Light my Fire", "You make me Real" and "Moonlight Drive". Looking for a good live Doors Cd? Buy this one.