Alternate Versions: The Doors- Riders On The Storm (Demo)

L.A. Woman, the final album by The Doors, turns 50 this year. In celebration of that, there is a new reissue of the album featuring all sorts of new goodies. This 50th Anniversary Deluxe Version is a 1LP/3-CD collection featuring the original album remastered by the bands longtime engineer Bruce Botnick, as well as two-hours of studio sessions and demos. This is the earliest known recording of “Riders on The Storm,” recorded at Sunset Sound Studios and it’s quite awesome!

The Doors- Riders On The Storm (Sunset Sound Demo):

Best Guitar Solos: The Doors- When The Music’s Over

The Doors have long been a huge favorite of mine. They were one of the first bands I ever heard as a kid and have stuck with me since that point. When you look back at their catalog, there is a plethora of amazing songs hidden amongst all the songs you know. Even the ones you know, certain ones tend to become a bit underrated or under appreciated. For example “When The Music’s Over,” from their second album Strange Days, is definitely one that fits both that. Plus, on top of that, Robby Krieger’s guitar solo in this song, is superb. It’s got this amazing psychedelic sound that twists and turns in a way that slithers through your body, just as Jim Morrison would.

 

The Doors- When The Music’s Over:

 

Alternate Versions: The Doors- Light My Fire (Live 1970)

The Doors are one of the first bands I ever fell in love with. Ever since my parents put them on for me as an infant, I’ve been sold on them. Over the years, I’ve moved more away from their studio versions of their song to the live versions due to the spontaneous nature of the performances. One such song that was among the first I did that with was “Light My Fire.” The studio version is fine but, live, this song takes on a whole new vibe. One of my all time favorite versions of this song is from their 1970 performance at the Isle of Wight Festival. Part of what makes this one special is the history behind it. The Isle of Wight Festival had some 600,000 attendees and the Doors hit the stage at two o’clock in the morning on August 30, 1970. Their set was particularly dark due to Jim Morrison’s not wanting bright spotlights for the film recording on the band. Much of the recording sees the group bathed in a single red spotlight. Morrison was also very subdued in his movements but, he sang his heart out as you can tell.

The Doors- Light My Fire (Live at The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970):

 

 

Classic Soundtracks: Forrest Gump

One of the best things about movies set during specific times is the music that is chosen. I’ve always felt that if you can nail the look of the time, than you had best make sure you get the sounds right as well. It’s sort of funny to think about but, also not surprising that one of the best soundtracks ever also came out in 1994. I’m telling you, 1994 was beyond a magical year. The soundtrack I’m speaking of is for Forrest Gump. As you know, the film takes place across a few decades and the music chosen to represent those years is absolutely perfect. You’ve got selections from Elvis Presley, The Four Tops, Creedence Clearwater Revivial, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Supremes, Bob Segar & The Silver Bullet Band, Harry Nielsson, etc. This soundtrack really is exquisite. Even the rest of the songs in the film not included on the soundtrack were great. Songs by Fleetwood Mac, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Canned Heat and Jackson Browne really bring it all together. Even the score for the film by Alan Silvestri was perfect. The soundtrack to Forrest Gump is one of those that will always be recognized and rightfully so.

 

Forrest Gump Soundtrack:

 

Guest Vocalist: Perry Farrell

One of the most unique vocalists in rock music is without a doubt Perry Farrell. Since his days in Jane’s Addiction to Porno For Pyros and everything else he’s done, Perry is one of those vocalists that when you hear them, you know it’s them. Over the years Perry has lent his vocals to quite a few other bands songs. Here is a few for you to wet your beak on!

 

Perry Farrell- Hot Lava (from The South Park Album):

 

 

 

Perry Farrell and Exene Cervenka of X- Children Of Night (from Stoned Immaculate):

 

 

 

Paul Oakenfold- Time of Your Life (from Bunkka):

 

 

The Nightwatchman- Shake My Shit (from The Fabled City):

 

 

Andy Bell of Erasure- Honey If You Love Him (from Non-Stop):

 

 

Thievery Corporation- Revolution Solution (from The Cosmic Game):

 

Cover Song: Billy Idol (The Doors)- L.A. Woman

Back in 1990, Billy Idol released his fourth solo studio album entitled Charmed Life. The album featured the hit single “Cradle Of Love.” That song went on to win multiple awards for it’s video which was directed by David Fincher. There was another song on the album though, that got a lot of attention, and that was Billy’s cover of The Doors classic, L.A. Woman. His version was shorter than the original and it also had a bit of a different vibe but, it was still one of those covers that stood out for being unique and still honoring the original. The video for the cover was also directed by David Fincher. L.A. Woman is one of my all time favorite songs by The Doors, and ever since I heard Billy Idol’s version when I was a very young kid (think I was 6), I’ve loved it even more. By the way, Billy Idol is still a badass and continues to rock the stage and release great rock music.

 

Billy Idol- L.A. Woman:

 

 

 

Billy Idol- L.A. Woman (album version):

 

Audioeclectica Radio Episode 1

I’ve been working on revamping the Audioeclectica Podcast for a while now. I didn’t want to make the same type of podcast/show that I’ve been hearing so, I went another route. Don’t think of this as a podcast but rather a radio show. Instead of me talking all the time, I’m going to play you all some great music and tell you interesting tidbits about the band, album, song, etc.

This is will also be completely interactive. I will be taking requests about what bands/songs you want to hear as well as topics you’d like for me to discuss and give my take on. I will be having guest on and they will be picking some of their favorite songs to play.

This is all an experiment but totally fun for me. I hope you all enjoy the show and find some great bands, songs, and cool info from listening.

Without further delay… Here is episode 1.

 

Audioeclectica Radio- Episode 1:

 

End Of Album Songs: The Doors

A while back I was starting to compile a list of the best end of album songs. During this process I noticed how big the list was and it got a bit overwhelming. So, I thought I’d make this a category instead, that way you all can truly enjoy all the great songs in small doses rather than be bombarded by them all.

For the first one, I present to you all the great end of album songs by The Doors. They were true masters of making an “album” and knew just the right way to end it too. Every one of their albums had a great closing song.

 

The Doors- The End (from The Doors):

 

The Doors- When The Music’s Over (from Strange Days):

The Doors- Five To One (from Waiting For The Sun):

 

The Doors- The Soft Parade (from The Soft Parade):

 

The Doors- Maggie McGill (from Morrison Hotel):

 

The Doors- Riders On The Storm (from L.A. Woman):

 

Cover Song: Echo and the Bunnymen (The Doors)- People Are Strange

The Lost Boys, we all remember the movie and how cool it was and still is. There is definitely something timeless about the film. Perhaps it was the era that it was released among all the other great films of the 80’s. Either way, The Lost Boys is still celebrated. The soundtrack to the movie is also one of the best of the time too. One of the songs that has always stood out to me besides “Cry Little Sister,” and “Lost in the Shadows” was Echo and the Bunnymen’s cover of “People Are Strange” by The Doors. It’s one of those covers that when you first hear, you’re a little skeptical but, in the end, you realize it’s a pretty good cover.

 

Echo and The Bunnymen- People Are Strange:

 

The Doors- People Are Strange:

Ultimate Set List: The Doors

The Doors are in my top 5 favorite bands of all time. They are groundbreaking and beyond inspiring and influential. Over the years I’ve read so many books about them, watched documentaries, and even gone to see them individually and when they would play shows with Ian Astbury of The Cult as their singer. Naturally, one would assume that I have made my “Ultimate Set List” for The Doors years ago, which I did but, in order to fit within my guidelines for this category, I’ve had to shorten it a bit. With that in mind I present to you my “Ultimate Set List” for The Doors.

As usual here are the rules:

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)
Lineup: Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, John Densmore, and Ray Manzarek

Venue: The Whisky A Go Go

Set List:

01) When The Music’s Over
02) Soul Kitchen
03) Roadhouse Blues
04) Wild Child
05) End Of The Night
06) The Crystal Ship
07) Waiting For The Sun
08) Spanish Caravan
09) Been Down So Long
10) Not To Touch The Earth
11) Peace Frog
12) The Soft Parade
13) Strange Days
14) My Eyes Have Seen You
15) You’re Lost Little Girl
16) Indian Summer
17) Moonlight Drive
18) Five To One
19) People Are Strange
20) L.A. Woman
21) Riders On The Storm

Encore:
22) Break On Through (To The Other Side)
23) Light My Fire
24) The End