- John Densmore -- drums, percussion (1967-72)
- Robbie Krieger -- guitar (1967-72)
- Ray Manzerek -- vocals, keyboards, bass (1967-72)
- Jim Morrison (RIP 1971) -- vocals (1967-71)
 

- The Butts Band (John Densmore and Robbie Krieger)
- Robbie Krieger (solo efforts)
- Ray Manazerek (solo efforts)
- Nite City (Ray Manzarek)
- Rick and the Ravens (Ray Manzarek)

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Morrison Hotel

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS-75007

Country/State: L.A., California

Year: 1970

Grade (cover/record): VG/G

Comments: gatefold sleeve; pop on "Land Ho'"

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID:

Price: $5.00

At the urging of producer Paul Rothchild, 1970's "Morrison Hotel" found the band returning to a stripped-down R&B attack. As such, the set marked a return to peak form. Although Morrison sounded like he was working with a bad head cold (particularly on the "Hard Rock Cafe" side), his edgy rasp lent additional grit to the proceedings. In spite of isolated lapses ("Maggie McGill"), the overall result was one of their most consistent releases, material such as "Roadhouse Blues", "Waiting for the Sun" and "Ship of Fools" equal to anything in their extensive catalog. A minor criticism, but side two ("Morrison Hotel") found Morrison occasionally falling back on his penchant for over-the-top poetry ("Queen of the Highway" and "Indian Summer"). Elsewhere the set was notable for the emergence of Kreiger. Long consigned to the background, Krieger unexpectedly stepped into the spotlight, contributing his effortless guitar throughout ("Peace Frog" and "Land Ho!"), as well as co-writing several tracks with Morrison. Elsewhere guitar legend Lonnie Mack guested, providing bass (???) on several tracks. Reaching #4, the album added another gold seller to their list. (The collection was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Morrison Hotel" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Roadhouse Blues   ()- 4:04
2.) Waiting for the Sun   () - 3:58
3.) You Make Me Real   () - 2:50
4.) Peace Frog   () - 2:52
5.) Blue Sunday   () - 2:08

(side 1)

1.) Ship of Fools   () - 3:06
2.) Land Ho!   () - 4:08
3.) The Spy   () - 4:15
4.) Queen of the Highway   () - 2:47
5.) Indian Summer   () - 2:33
6.) Maggie M'Gill   () - 4:24

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Absolutely Live

Company: Elektra

Catalog: 

Country/State: L.A., California

Year: 1971

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; double LP set

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 

Price: $8.00

Unable to tour in the wake of Morrison's ongoing legal problems (including an arrest for public drunkenness after he passed out on an L.A. homeowners front steps), the band made do with a double album concert set. Recorded during various shows between August 1969 and June 1970, "Absolutely Live" wasn't exactly your average greatest hits - live package. All but ignoring their radio successes, the set focused on some of their lesser known repetoire - Morrison frequently taking liberties with song lyrics. Among the odder offerings were snippets of Morrison poetry ("The Celebration of the Lizard") and an extended take on "Celebration of the Lizard". Along with Krieger's frequently under appreciated guitar pyrotechnics, the collection's highlights were four new songs: two covers (the Bo Diddley opening "Who Do You Love" (with some killer Krieger buzz saw guitar) and Van Morrison's "Gloria") and two originals ("Build Me a Woman" (first time we'd ever heard the phrase "poontang blues") and "Universal Mind"). Given that it was a double set, the collection's top-10 sales performance (it reached #8) was impressive. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Absolutely Live" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Who Do You Love   (MacDaniel) - 
2.) Medley:
     Alabama Song   (Weill - Brecht) -
     Backdoor Man   (Willie Dixon) - 
     Love Hides   (Jim Morrison) - 
     Five To One   (Jim Morrison) - 
3.) Build Me a Woman   (Jim Morrison) - 
4.) When the Music's Over  (Jim Morrison) - 

(side 1)

1.) Close To You   (Willie Dixon) - 
2.) Universal Mind   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Krieger) - 
3.) Break On Thru, #2   (Jim Morrison) - 
4.) The Celebration of the Lizard   (Jim Morrison) - 
5.) Soul Kitchen   (Jim Morrison) - 

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Other Voices

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS-75017

Country/State: L.A., California

Year: 1972

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; minor ring, edge and corner wear

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 

Price: $8.00

Having elected to continue as a trio (with support from bassists Jack Conrad, Wolfgang Meltz, Ray Neapolitan, Willie Ruff and Jerry Scheff ), 1971 saw Densmore, Kreiger and Manzarek release "Other Voices". Co-produced by Bruce Botnick and the band, the LP wasn't half bad. With the survivors jointly sharing songwriting chores, the results proved far better than one would have expected. Unfortunately, in the role of lead singer neither Krieger nor Manzarek were quite as impressive. Give 'em credit for trying, but Morrison's chops were sorely missed. Highlights included the rocker "Tightrope Ride", the jazzy "Ships w/ Sails" and the hysterical "I'm Horny, I'm Stoned". Among the few major missteps was the MORish "Down On the Farm". Given Morrison's absence, the set sold respectably, reaching #31. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Other Voices" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) In the Eye of the Sun   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 4:48
2.) Variety Is the Spice of Life   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 2:50
3.) Ships w/ Sails   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 7:38
4.) Tightrope Ride   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 4:15

(side 2)

1.) Down On the Farm   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 4:15
2.) I'm Horny, I'm Stoned   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 3:55
3.) Wandering Musician   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 6:25
4.) Hang On To Your Life   (Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 5:36

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Best of the Doors

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EQ-5035

Country/State: L.A., California

Year: 1973

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: red label version

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 5647

Price: $35.00

The main draw for this quickie posthumous compilation was the fact it was originally released in quadraphonic format (later releases were in stereo Elektra catalog 6E-5036 - same cover, but with a little tab slapped on top of the top left hand corner quad symbol).  Musically there was nothing spectacular to be found on this eleven tracks compilation.  With 1973's "The Best of the Doors" Elektra opted for the commercial side of the band's legacy going for the best known hits.  In fact seven of their eight hits were here - the lone exception being 'The Unknown Soldier'.  Call it a convenient compilation and leave it at that.  As collectors will know, there are several quad variants including the original black 'Quad' label, a red butterfly label, and the plain red label.

"Best of the Doors" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Who Do You Love   (McDaniel) - 6:48

2.) Soul Kitchen   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 3:30

3.) Hello, I Love You   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 2:23

4.) People Are Strange   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 2:10

5.) Riders On The Storm   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 7:05

(side 2)

1.) Touch Me   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 3:15

2.) Love Her Madly   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 3:20

3.) Love Me Two Times   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 3:16

4.) Take it as it Comes   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 2:14

5.) Moonlight Drive   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 3:01

6.) Light My Fire   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Kreiger - John Desnmore - Ray Manzarek) - 6:50