Doors Live In Detroit (Cobo Hall, 05/08/1970) CD

Detroit's Cobo Hall on May 8, 1970, is the setting for Live in Detroit, the first complete concert performance on the Doors' own Bright Midnight label. This is the Doors the way they deserve to be remembered -- tight and overtly bluesy. However, that oversimplification unfairly discounts the multiple sonic detours made along the way. Strange but true, this is the very first complete concert recording by the Doors to be offered for mass consumption -- allowing for some poetic justice. Live in Detroit is an initial step in removing the rumor and innuendo regarding Jim Morrison's loss of ability to perform on stage -- with the threat of an impending legal trial. No, this isn't the same trippy, hippy, psychedelic band that raised eyebrows by singing "higher" on The Ed Sullivan Show. Similarly, the world had grown in the intervening years. While this set is chocked full of early favorites such as "Break on Through," "Light My Fire," and the rarely documented "The End," the Doors' souls are full of the blues. Snippets of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" connect and propel the band into live musical experiments. They also certify the Doors' own blues, such as "Roadhouse Blues," "You Make Me Real," and "Been Down So Long." Taking cues from Morrison, the power trio of Manzarek, Krieger, and Densmore evolve the artistry of being able to network Morrison's impromptu poetic ramblings. Tucked in the dark recesses of the music is the omnipresence of a mindset larger than what was taking place on stage -- the muse is in the house. All in all, the results are wholly satisfying. In addition to the double-disc set, Live in Detroit includes an eight-panel foldout liner notes booklet, as well as a roughly ten-square-inch full-color poster. Bright Midnight releases are not available in stores of any kind. The only place to buy them is on-line at: http://www.thedoors.com/. ~ Lindsay Planer

Once in a while, Jim Morrison would just forget about limits (he had a thing about limits, you know) and just keep performing into the wee hours. This early-'70s gig at Detroit's Cobo Hall was one such night. In fact, this limited edition 2-CD set featuring 27 tracks, 22 previously unreleased, documents easily the longest Doors set ever performed, stretching about an hour over the standard concert running time and resulting in the band being barred from ever playing Cobo Hall again! The band was working on 'L.A. Woman' at the time, so the vibe is very bluesy, though the show does include a rare performance of 'The End' with radically different lyrics. And John Sebastian guests on several songs, too, very much a night to remember! Includes a mini-poster, too! Standard double jewelcase. Rhino Handmade. 2004.

Recording information: Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI (05/08/1970); The Felt Forum, New York, NY (05/08/1970).

Photographers: Michael Montfort; Tom Copi.

Unknown Contributor Role: Ray Manzarek.

Personnel: Ray Manzarek (vocals, keyboards); Jim Morrison (vocals); John Sebastian (guitar, harmonica); Robbie Krieger (guitar); John Densmore (drums).

Liner Note Authors: Danny Sugerman; Bruce Botnick.