I got acquainted with this band right in time, in my high school years - thanks to my classmates! Although, of course, listening to this band in 67 or 68 would have been much cooler - I’m ready to sell my kidney for this. But alas, the “time machine” service has not delivered to wide markets yet.
Any talk about the 70s without mentioning The Doors would be a fault. There exist folks who consider The Beatles to be the greatest rock band ever; for others it is Led Zeppelin. Some peeps even position Radiohead for this role (well, they just didn’t listen to music a lot, probably were not born in time, and therefore are not in the know - we should excuse them). But personally, I consider the Doors to be such a Number One Rock Band - and let’s not quarrel over trifles, who was in line earlier and who got in later and who has what number. All these are passages gnawed into a large termite mound from different sides, simple as that. Okay?
They were on another level than any of the other phycadelic bands. When they completed their third album 'Waiting for the Sun' in the studio, the band was 100% sure they had recorded the Main Psychedelic Album of the year, something breakthrough and iconic, moving music forward... alas, it turned out they were late - 'Sergeant Pepper' appeared in London at the same time, and the Doors just landed in its shadow. Meh...
Its easy to present three band's best hits, but near to impossible to choose three tracks that would present this unique band. Four bright personalities formed this quartet in San Francisco in 1965: jazz drummer John Densmore; organist Ray Manzarek, infected with love to the classical music and Bach; classic Spanish flamenco guitarist and sitar player Robbie Crieger; and Jim Morrison - poet and shaman, a hippie Adonis who tried to breakthrough to the other side, the true voice of his generation. No bassist was involved. Precious ingredients -> dramatic chemistry -> unique alloy! Over the 5 years the band existed, they managed to record six studio albums.
I chose two tracks from their 1967 debut LP. Perhaps, I am more in love with their early stuff... ofc I love all the albums, each in its own way.
the Doors - I looked at you
Majestic! Divine!
the Doors - Take it as it comes
Do listen to the lyrics, the message. It would not be wrong to say that Jim Morrison was focused mostly on delivering his message - he had very little to do with the songs arrangement, all the soundscape conceptual side of LPs, the product was invented / polished / enriched by the rest band members, as well as sound producer Paul Allen Rothchild. Rothchild for the Doors happened exactly what George Martin became for the Beatles.
One way or another, such a respected and influental edition as Rolling Stone magazine - did not forget to mention the Doors is its '500 greatest songs of all time' list, and included 'Light My Fire' as #310 and 'The End' as #336.
I cannot but agree, but the band has too much more to consider! especially the 'People are Strange' from their 2nd LP. With no doubts, one of the greatest songs of all time.
Doors - People are strange
And note, the message was delivered in less than 2 mins - and, it really was the message! Timeless. Below is the live video from TV appearance at Ed Sullivan show, 1968:
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If by any accident you missed this band (somehow... it happens... one simply cannot embrace unembraceable, right?) and would want to find out more about the band, I recommend you to grab this stuff:
- Riders on the Storm: My Life with Jim Morrison and the Doors by John Densmore, the band's drummer. In my opinion it is the best bio of the band that exists. It is devoid of myths and embellishments, very honestly told by the band member himself - who turned out to have a first-class memory!
- When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors (2010) - a great documentary, giving a broad view at the band and, more to it, at the whole hippy epoch they lived in.
- The Doors: Live at the Bowl ‘68 DVD - a classic performance captured by the band itself. I wish there would survive (and arrive to our hands) more stuff from 60-70-es of same video quality! (nice dream, nice dream...)
On this note let me part with you. I hope you enjoyed today's music selection. Nowadays they don't do it like that anymore! 😎 The post goes for Three Tune Tuesday challenge run by @ablaze. Previous issues: 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 118 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 131 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143
