Live at the Aquarius Theatre: The Second Performance [PA]

Performer: The Doors
Producer: Bruce Botnick
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Personnel: Ray Manzarek (vocals, keyboards); Jim Morrison (vocals); Robbie Krieger (guitar); John Densmore (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Bruce Botnick. Liner Note Authors: Robert Hilburn; John Densmore; Ray Manzarek; Robbie Krieger. Recording information: The Aquarius Theatre, Hollywood, CA (07/21/1969). Photographer: Frank Lisciandro. As the title suggests, this set contains the second of two complete shows from the Doors at the Aquarius Theater in Hollywood, July 21, 1969. Both were professionally documented, anticipating enough material for a stopgap concert album as the band simultaneously composed and arranged new sides for their subsequent Morrison Hotel and LA Woman studio releases. With over three decades under the bridge and the blessings of the surviving bandmembers, Live at the Aquarius Theater: The Second Performance provides a real-time recreation of the entire two-and-a-quarter-hour performance from the sonically superior multi-track tapes. Initially the interaction between the band and audience borders on ennui, while a seemingly unfazed John Densmore (drums), Robbie Krieger (guitar), Ray Manzerek (keyboards/bass pedals/vocals), and Jim Morrison (vocals) musically ascend to their outlandish pre-Miami selves. Stylistically, however, their music is pointing away from the LSD-tinged antics that informed much of their initial sound and vision. In its stead is an influx of blues- and R&B-influenced covers such as the extended workout of Van Morrison's "Gloria," Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster," "Rock Me Baby," and "Close to You." This should in no way insinuate that the band had altogether forsaken their psychedelic roots, as the renderings of "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" as well as a profound and intense "Celebration of the Lizard" are perfect vehicles for the sonic mind games that became synonymous with the Doors. Likewise, the band unveils several unique renderings to sides from the forthcoming Morrison Hotel. "You Make Me Real" sticks fairly close its studio counterpart, unlike the incendiary instrumental reading of "Peace Frog," which is linked to a crystalline "Blue Sunday." This is the Doors performing at the peak of their ability and is the way they deserve to be remembered. In an ultimately successful attempt to aurally re-create the relaxed and informal pacing of the show, all between-song chatter as well as some lengthy banter between the audience and band occurs organically. Keen-eared enthusiasts will recognize the inimitable and likewise sonorous voice of lighting director Chip Monk during the spoken-word "A Request of the Management." Monk is best placed via his intermittent stage announcements at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. In addition to the two discs, Live at the Aquarius Theater: The Second Performance includes a 16-page foldout booklet with notes from all three surviving bandmembers. As titles on the Doors-owned Bright Midnight record label are not available via most traditional CD outlets, enthusiasts are encouraged to direct their attentions to the additional information available at the band's website: www:thedoors.com. ~ Lindsay Planer

Like a trippier, more mystical, West Coast equivalent of the Velvet Underground, the Doors went against the 1960s flower-power grain, taking an uncompromising look at the underbelly of the American psyche. Jim Morrison's dark, surreal poetry gave the band's blues-based rock a cerebral edge, and his wild, shamanistic on-stage presence electrified audiences. From their debut single, "Light My Fire," to their later recordings such as "Riders on the Storm," the Doors remained consistently intriguing even when their songs didn't, a feat largely credited to Morrison and his volatile personality. Eventually, Morrison's hard living caught up to him--he died in Paris at only 27 years of age, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire countless younger musicians.

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