The Doors..Story of LA Woman...

Thanks so much for the heads-up. Recorder now set.

Tony

Was just about to post on this, but you've beaten me to it!

I'm looking forward to it.

By way of a bump, so that people may notice!

Sky+ box set thanks for the info.

Recorded, thanks.

Played 'L.A Woman' last night and remembered how much like Homer Simpson Morrison sounds on that particular track.

Great recording it is too.  G

Just watched on iPlayer , very good documentary!

Recorded it last night and if I could only drag myself away from my system I might just watch it tonight!

Richard

Tony, Ray Manzarek always was annoyingly self-satisfied, but he seems to be wearing the years lightly.

I never saw The Doors live, but I was in the very front row of The Borderline club in Charing Cross Road in the late 1990s when Robbie Krieger played a set of Doors songs, not to be forgotten! (I saw Arthur Lee in the same venue a year or so later warming up for his 'Forever Changes' concert at the Royal Festival Hall: truly exceptional!)

And it was good to be reminded last night just how good, and original, a drummer John Densmore was. 

Good programme, great album. Very interesting.

Yes "LA Woman" is a very good album - though when I first heard the Doors I thought they were  Eric Burdon and the Animals - I hope they continue the series and include other gems such as Forever Changes. 

I bought LA Woman when it first came out - mainly on the strength of hearing tracks like Love Her Madly on Alan Freeman's Pick of the Pops - Fluff played some great songs, not 'arf. 

Here's an old (excellent) show from LiveFrom DarylsHouse. See the programme notes where Ray had some nice things to say about Daryl's band.

Episode 18: R. Krieger and R. Manzarek of The Doors

In April, Daryl Hall breaks on through to the other side of the country, Hollywood, to be exact, as Live From Daryl's House celebrates its groundbreaking 18th episode with its first west coast edition. Daryl joins guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Doors for a very special installment! 

http://www.livefromdarylshouse...rentep.html?ep_id=27 

Another Doors documentary on Sky Arts 1 at 23.35 Monday 2nd April.

"No One Here Gets Out Alive"

i had a 45 with 'break on thru' and later one of my sisters bought Strange Days but didn't like it. I thought it pretty wonderful even the poem he recited, very psychedlic. Never bought another because they were always on the radio.  decades later talking with a friend who had been in a band said "Strange Days " didn't get good reviews (trying to put me down)  I said I didn't care, I enjoyed it.

I thought  their stuff like that was Morrison on acid, and #9 was a good example of Lennon on acid.  You don't have to drop a tab and here's a recod of what it's like.  Just listen to early Hendrix, pretty fascinating without having to endure a psychotic episode that could wreck your life. 

then record over get up, have another beer and put on another vinyl. 

If one ever needed a splif in the mid/late 70/80s you just went to Jims grave..

People just don't have that respect now.

Buggers nick the do me goods.

Stu.

Did that trip in my youth.  Scotland to Paris for £6 I remember.  G

On Amazon there are 2 vinyl versions of L.A. Woman. A 2003 Electra release and a 2010 Rhino UK version.

Any opinions on which is the better release.

I've an Electra 'remaster' which, unusually for a remaster, is very good.  It has a round silver sticker top right hand side of the box announcing its 'remastered' status.  I've had it a good many years so 2003 would seem about right.  G

Thanks for the info G.

On Amazon there are 2 vinyl versions of L.A. Woman. A 2003 Electra release and a 2010 Rhino UK version.

Any opinions on which is the better release.

Hi Graham,

I've found the best reissue pressing is the US Rhino RTI pressing. I bought mine From What Records reduced to £12.99. I've just checked their web site though and they no longer list it. The only RTI Doors album they have is Morrison Hotel. Still recommended. A new 45rpm US issue of all their albums is due out in the near future.

ATB

Steve

My apologies - I was thinking CD !  G

Thanks Steve,

                          I've taken a punt and ordered the Electra pressing.

Going back to the programme, the key point for me was that they were apparently all in good spirits and working really well together as a team (without their hotshot producer) up to the point where JM went to Paris. This in stark contrast to the other documentaries of this ilk which seem to thrive on conflict, and also my (mistaken) idea that LAW must have been done in spite of their sudden decline as a band. Great stuff.

One thing I've realised from watching the programme is the effect of having a dedicated bass player on the album. Jerry Scheff really adds a driving force to the rhythm section and there are some good bass riffs on this LP. I think they only used a bass player, sparingly, on one other album 'Strange Days'. Could the bass player be the catalyst that lifted LA Woman up to be The Doors most successful album? Who knows but it will always, for me, be the most consistent  classic Doors LP. I love every track.

Steve

Excellent point Steve.