Doors, The - Legacy - The Absolute Best


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Rhino Records
Catalog Number: 73889
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

The Doors ? just the mention of that name brings thoughts of the '60s, Los Angeles, sex, drugs, and the poignant and mysterious lead singer Jim Morrison. Legacy - The Absolute Best is a two CD set that successfully encapsulates the legendary and seemingly surreal career of one of rock music's most important and timeless bands. Their music is still incredibly vital and strong today and that is exactly why best of sets such as this will continue to fly out of the stores. This music is sheer magic that will continue to find new audiences as long as man remains in the physical form he now inhabits, ummm ? sounds like something Jim Morrison would have said while cruising along on an LSD trip.

The legend of the music will continue to evolve and gather attention for many years to come no doubt. There is something spooky and magical about this music and when you watch footage of Morrison singing and then look into his eyes, you see pools of darkness that are indefinable; it always gives me a chill. He was a troubled soul but a true poet and musical icon that will go unmatched in the chronicles of music.

So what makes this set the ultimate and absolute best in comparison to others? I am not sure I can agree it is the very best but I did enjoy every millisecond of it. Okay, it is the absolute best 2 CD set I have ever heard. It has one previously unreleased track, which is an ultra rare thing in and of itself when pondering the glut of best of sets that have hit the racks over the years, so it has that going for it right from the get go. The sound and production are beautiful and clear and the liner notes thoughtful, deep and descriptive, capturing the spirit of the band and the time they made the music. The pictures in booklet are wonderful as well, each one telling a story. For me all of these things are extremely important while listening to Doors music. Robbie Krieger (guitar), Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and John Densmore (drums) are looked upon as Shamans, holy men of music in the liner notes. Okay, I will buy that description. Today they sound like the saviors of rock 'n' roll compared to some of the bands that only pale in comparison. Despite that fact, the bands that cannot even cast a shadow on the Doors legacy are selling millions of copies of their albums. Unfortunately, there are not bands like them in existence today.

They were just as important and distinctive as other '60s legends and as revered and idolized now as they were at the height of their success before Morrison's death. Morrison was the maniac genius with the heart and soul of an American poet and hero. What a package he was. How much more dramatic and cinematic does it get than the lyrics and music of this band? I would venture to say that this band would always give you plenty for your entertainment value.

The absolute best, that is debatable, if I listen a few more times it will become believable. This music holds a certain animal magnetism and power over me like no other; it is comparable to the appeal of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who. Nothing can touch that kind of feeling nor duplicate it, it's special. I highly recommend this CD set. Play it loud and remember when the music was real and every word was felt like the sting of a bee. It does not get any better than this; it will have your brain squirmin' like a toad. The Lizard King lives?

Released in conjunction with Elektra Records


Tracklisting:
Disc One: Break On Through (To The Other Side) / Back Door Man / Light My Fire / Twentieth Century Fox / The Crystal Ship / Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) / Soul Kitchen / The End / Love Me Two Times / People Are Strange / When The Music's Over / My Eyes Have Seen You / Moonlight Drive / Strange Days / Hello, I Love You / The Unknown Soldier / Five To One

Disc Two: Touch Me / Wild Child / Tell All The People / Wishful Sinful / Roadhouse Blues / Waiting For The Sun / You Make Me Real / Peace Frog / Love Her Madly / L.A. Woman / Riders On The Storm / The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat) / The Changeling / Gloria / Celebration Of The Lizard (Previously Unissued)

Musicians:
Robbie Krieger - guitar
Jim Morrison - vocals
Ray Manzarek - keyboards
John Densmore - drums
Curtis Amy - saxophone, soloist
Marc Benno - rhythm guitar
Harvey Brooks - bass
Douglas Lubahn - bass, electric bass
Lonnie Mack - bass
Kerry Magness - bass
Ray Neopolitan - bass
Jerry Scheff - bass
John Sebastian - harp
Leroy Vinnegar - acoustic bass

Discography:
The Doors (1967)
Strange Days (1967)
Waiting For The Sun (1968)
The Soft Parade (1969)
Absolutely Live (1970)
Morrison Hotel (1970)
13 (1970)
L. A. Woman (1971)
Other Voices (1971)
Full Circle (1972)
The Best Of The Doors (1973)
The Doors/Strange Days (1975)
American Prayer (1978)
Morrison Hotel/L.A. Woman (1982)
The Doors/Waiting For The Sun (1982)
The Best Of The Doors (1985)
Greatest Hits (1996)
Complete Studio Recordings (1999)
The Very Best Of The Doors (2001)
Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The Second Performance (2001)
Life In Hollywood - Aquarius (2002)
Bright Midnight: Live In America (2002)
Legacy - The Absolute Best (2003)

Soundstage Performances (2002) (DVD)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: August 24th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.thedoors.com
Hits: 3088
Language: english

  

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