The Doors Box Set

The Doors
Box Set

The Doors are the world's longest running mystery train; a quirky ensemble that, 30 years after their first album, continues to influence and, in some cases, demoralize each passing generation. Since their demise in 1971, when singer Jim Morrison supposedly took a bath in a Paris bungalow and never got out to towel himself off, the Doors come knocking every couple of years with compilations, videos, movies, live recordings, books and anything else the surviving members can dig up to keep the name alive and the bank account overflowing. It was inevitable that they would release a box set.

Fortunately for the legion of listeners who buy everything and still wonder when they'll get it right, THE DOORS BOX SET could be the best thing the band has done since they broke up. Spread out over 4 discs, the set follows a distinguishing pattern that utilizes themes and motifs, standardized elements that the L.A. quartet incorporated into much of their music.

The first disc, entitled Without A Safety Net, opens with the infamous, historical and harsh-sounding rendition of "Five To One," performed in Miami in 1969. It was at this show, during this song that Jim Morrison spouted off a number of obscenities and unpopular beliefs before allegedly unzipping his pants and exposing himself. He was later charged for indecent exposure, dragged through court, and let off with a fine and a slap on the wrist. This incident also cost the Doors a fortune in lost revenues as their tour was canceled, and their overall popularity diminished.

From the chaos of Miami, we move onto a beautiful and jazzy version of "Queen of The Highway." The CD continues in this manner, swinging back and forth, offering up alternate versions, demos and unreleased tidbits. The two versions of "Moonlight Drive" -- the first song Morrison sang to Ray Manzarek on the sands of Venice Beach -- are especially fascinating as the original demo does not include guitarist Robbie Krieger. Listening to the two, one can't help but feel the power that Krieger's fine slide work lent to the tune. The disc ends with Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni's "Adagio in G Minor," a favorite piece of Morrison's put together with the Doors by Bruce Botnick's (co-producer of the box set, and engineer of all the Doors original recordings) father.

Disc Two -- Live In New York -- is a complete performance from Madison Square Garden. This may well be the best live recording the Doors have ever released. Far superior to ABSOLUTELY LIVE or ALIVE SHE CRIED, the disc opens with a rocking "Roadhouse Blues" as well as some unconventional readings of "Ship of Fools," "Peace Frog," and the ever-allegorical and Morrisonian "The Celebration of The Lizard." It isn't until an explosive interpretation of "The End" that the listener realizes that Morrison might have been completely sober during this show. Ever in a drunken stupor, he had those brief moments of lucidity.

The third disc --The Future Ain't What It Used To Be -- is a collection of miscellaneous live recordings, television appearances and demos, highlighted by "Orange County Suite." With Morrison on vocals and piano, this ode to his common-law wife, Pamela, was recently completed in the studio by Krieger, Manzarek and John Densmore. Other oddities on this disc include "Go Insane," "Mental Floss" and "Adolph Hitler," a short Morrison rant. Exceptional to this disc are the live versions of "The Crystal Ship," one of the Doors' most beautiful songs, and "The Soft Parade," reportedly the only live rendering on tape.

Band Favorites is the fourth disc. This is where most of the hits are, hand-picked by Krieger, Manzarek and Densmore. Naturally, "Light My Fire," L.A. Woman," "Love Me Two Times" and "Riders On The Storm" made the cut. Manzarek seemed to chose some of the more obscure gems like "Yes, The River Knows" and "You're Lost Little Girl." One could only guess (and fear) what Morrison would have chosen.

THE DOORS BOX SET includes an informational booklet, with comments on every song by each of the surviving band members. There's also a wonderful essay by novelist Tom Robbins as well as a piece written by Doors producer, the late Paul Rothchild, who was in the middle of putting the set together when he passed on. In a triumph of good taste, this set is dedicated to him.

Shawn Perry

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Send E-mail to stperry@inetworld.net

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