Classic Albums: The Doors
List Price:
Our Price: $13.49
You Save: $1.49 (10%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $8.98 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: The DoorsDVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 88 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-22
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Eagle Rock Ent
Movie Reviews of Classic Albums: The Doors
Movie Review: Shedding Light on the Incomparable Sound
Summary: 5 Stars
The Doors' debut album certainly calls for a classic album review. I submit that Side 1 of the vinyl LP is the best rock LP side ever and that "Light My Fire" is the greatest rock song of all time.
Why the high praise? The Doors represent a one-of-a-kind phenomenon of 1960s rock. Their early music is an amalgam of psychedelic blues and rock, also infused with an unflawed tightness of rhythm on the hard-driving songs. It is highly eclectic, utilizing Latin high notes and eerie twangs, minor chords, dark or streaming (or Bachian) organ sound, bottleneck guitar, German oompah, and even Indian raga sound. Combine that with lead singer Jim Morrison's larger-than-life personality, poetic sensibilities, and sexy voice, and you have the stuff of a musical legend. Through Morrison, The Doors transcend mere rock music by exploring the world of theater and lyrical images.
The sound of the Doors, from the explosive centripetal force of "Break on Through" to the majesty of "Light My Fire," is musical ecstasy. I once heard the sound of the group's first two albums referred to as "Trip Doors." Disc jockey Jim Ladd comments, "They took you somewhere that no other band seemed to take you. These were highly educated, well-read, smart people." Morrison and keyboard player Ray Manzarek attended UCLA Film School.
The commentators emphasize the debut album is representative of The Doors' legendary live performances at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. There is no studio finessing to dilute the group's raw power.
Each Side 1 song (except "Twentieth Century Fox") is discussed thoroughly. Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore talk about such diverse influences as the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, James Brown, Ray Charles, Latin music, and the bossa nova beat, in detail: They even show you the chords, licks, and drumbeats. "Backdoor Man," "End of the Night" (briefly), and "The End" are also discussed.
Jim Morrison's voice is isolated on several songs. The commentators note his voice was rich; he could be a controlled crooner like Frank Sinatra or go for the "feral, ferocious animal connection," as commentator Henry Rollins puts it. On "Backdoor Man," engineer Bruce Botnick observes: "It's like he's ripping his vocal chords out." All Doors joined in on the vocals on the "Alabama Song." Years ago, subletting a place in Manhattan, I discovered the tenant had the original on Brecht/Weill's "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny"; how great it is to hear it discussed on this DVD! Botnick also isolates instruments often, including the beautiful piano on "The Crystal Ship" as a finale.
The "Bonus" features are extensive and very interesting. One topic is how two different versions of "Moonlight Drive" did not make it onto the debut album. Another is Ray commenting on how John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" influenced the soloing in "Light My Fire." One of my few criticisms is that the latter should have been included in the main body and made more extensive.
The commentators give their perspectives on the group's genesis, the creation of the songs, and the debut album's significance: It launched widespread Doors appreciation. It also helped define the political and social consciousness of the 1960s and became emblematic of individuality and the pursuit of personal freedom. The Doors' message is often seen as negative. But a nirvana of brotherhood is achieved in the consciousness of Doors' enjoyment, as we "make the scene ... gate is straight, deep and wide." Commentator Michael McClure, a beat poet, quotes William Blake, whose book "The Doors of Perception" is the basis of the group's name: "The road of excess leads to the Palace of Wisdom."
Summary of Classic Albums: The Doors
The Doors eponymous first album is universally regarded as their finest achievement and as one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock music making it a worthy addition to the acclaimed Classic Albums series. The three surviving members of The Doors: Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore are all featured in new interviews along with original engineer Bruce Botnick, musicians Henry Rollins and Perry Farrell and executives Billy James (Columbia Records) and Jac Holzman (Elektra Records) plus many more. What emerges is the extraordinary story of the creation of a masterpiece.TRACK LISTING: Features excerpts from: Break On Through (To The Other Side) - The Crystal Ship - Back Door Man - Soul Kitchen - Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) - Light My Fire - End Of The Night - The End - and more...
BONUS FEATURES * Additional & extended interview material not included in the broadcast version. * New instrumental demonstrations of songs from the album with Robby Krieger playing slide and flamenco guitar, Ray Manzarek performing the solo from "Light My Fire" and John Densmore showing his drum techniques. * The story behind "Moonlight Drive", which was cut from the album and later appeared in a different arrangement on the second album "Strange Days".
Music Video & Concerts DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Music Video & Concerts DVD Video
Live from Madison Square GardenRelease date: 2009-05-19; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
![Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Performing-This-Week-Live-at-Ronnie-Scott-Blu-ray-B001NP8PRG-X.jpg)
Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $11.75
Price in other shops:
![Hit Man: David Foster And Friends (Amazon Exclusive) [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Hit-Man-David-Foster-And-Friends-Amazon-Exclusive-Blu-ray-B001U9BRNE-X.jpg)
Hit Man: David Foster And Friends (Amazon Exclusive) [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-03-17; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Let The Right One InRelease date: 2009-03-10; DVD
Best price: $16.00
Price in other shops:
Ashes of American FlagsRelease date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops:
Les Miserables: The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert HallWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $24.24
Price in other shops:
The Boy in the Striped PajamasRelease date: 2009-03-10; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops:
Live In LondonSony; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $12.14
Price in other shops:
Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott'sRelease date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $8.93
Price in other shops:
The ConcertsRelease date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $26.49
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
Classic Albums - Nirvana: NevermindRelease date: 2005-03-22; DVD
Best price: $6.50
Price in other shops:
Live in Pittsburgh 1970Release date: 2008-03-04; Music CD
Best price: $8.54
Price in other shops:
The Doors Collection (Collector's Edition)Universal; Release date: 1999-04-13; DVD
Best price: $9.65
Price in other shops:
Classic Albums - Fleetwood Mac - RumoursRelease date: 2005-02-22; DVD
Best price: $6.70
Price in other shops:
Who's NextRED DISTRIBUTION; Release date: 2006-10-03; DVD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops:
Queen: The Making of A Night at the Opera (Classic Albums)RED DISTRIBUTION; Release date: 2006-03-21; DVD
Best price: $7.42
Price in other shops:
Classic Albums: The Making of The Dark Side of the MoonPINK FLOYD; Release date: 2003-08-26; DVD
Best price: $6.41
Price in other shops:
Classic Albums - The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric LadylandRelease date: 2005-05-31; DVD
Best price: $7.39
Price in other shops:
Classic Albums: Cream - Disraeli Gears (Dol)RED DISTRIBUTION; Release date: 2006-04-04; DVD
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Classic Albums: Plastic Ono BandRelease date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $9.26
Price in other shops: