The Doors

Among the many reasons to worship Jim Morrison is the ability he had to make his pill and whiskey-ravaged voice sound nothing short of demonic, especially in concert. Even 30 years after its release Absolutely Live remains definitive, from the promoter begging people to remain calm to Jim's absolutely unhinged shrieking and his comic interactions with the crowd.

Elektra calls this double set an "organic documentary" which means they took a year to
record it at various performances, splicing it together to sound like one ideal performance.
It ain't so ideal. When Jim Morrision shows up drunk at a concert, that's his privilege
(problem?). But when so many of the cuts here proudly feature him in this cliffhanging
condition, one wonders who is the loser -- Morrison or the record buyer? There... More >

Strong performances and audio. Two previously unrecorded blues, a predictable new original called "Build Me a Woman," a surprising new original called "Universal Mind," several new fragments, and an intelligent medley. Plus "The Celebration of the Lizard" in its full theatrical glory--or rather, since this is a record, half of it. Problem is, I don't happen to be into reptiles when the music's over, much less while it's on. (Grade - B)