Soundstage Performances [DVD] [2008]

Leave it to The Doors to release a new DVD with performances you can ALREADY get on the "Doors Collection" and "Live In Europe" DVDs but they make it tempting because there are a few "new" added songs and interviews with the band members and manager Danny Sugerman. This is still a pretty interesting document on how much of a great live band The Doors actually were. More influential than even the music is The Doors', and especially Jim Morrison's, stage presence. Morrison introduced theater into rock music, he brought the classic drama of the Greeks and writings of William Blake and Nietzsche to the rock stage. We need look no further than to their stunning performance of "The End" in this set to see that Morrison was the first rock performer to bring the elements of shamanistic ritual to the genre long before the likes of Godsmack's Sully Erna or Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Fans should especially get this new collection for "The End," it is a great, rare performance recorded for a television program before "Light My Fire" had even hit #1 and attained the band legendary status. Here we also find an example of how Morrison, clad in black leather, introduced darkness into the mainstream during the Summer Of Love (though the Velvet Underground is credited sometimes for bringing the darker corners of rock, it is The Doors who perfected it and made it influential and widespread). Here Morrison appears as the poet, he croons, screams and collapses. "When The Music's Over" is another moment of great effect, here the band comes alive with another of their long poetic invocations where Morrison chants "we want the world and we want it now." Ray Manzarek masterfully creates mood with his organ while Robby Krieger adds his guitar licks as energetic brushstrokes and drummer John Densmore accents it all with his expressionistic, highly influential work. Morrison again croons, invokes and chants like a shaman turned rock star come to liberate us from repetitive, popular music constraints. The most lacking segment is that of the PBS special the band did shortly after the infamous 1969 Miami concert where Morrison supposedly exposed himself. First, there is the bad video quality, it looks more blurry and shakey than in the original versions found in the "Doors Collection" DVD, where the images appeared crisp and clear. Second, well, let's be honest, "The Soft Parade" remains The Doors' weakest album and it shows here, if "The End" and "When The Music's Over" grab us, then "Tell All The People" and "Wishful, Sinful" play more like easy, digestable candy for the ears. The only noteworthy part is when the band breaks into their classic live medley of "Alabama Song" and "Backdoor Man" where they masterfully perform the selection from the classic German opera and a midnight blues crawler by Willie Dixon. "The Soundstage Performances" therefore is a nice addition to a Doors'fan collection, that is, the Doors fan who is willing to buy a new tape or DVD with performances he/she may already own for the sake of a few new additions such as the insightful interviews with the band members and manager found before the performances. Still, this is a good set that displays the live power of the greatest American rock band of all time.

The unique thing about this DVD is that you get to see the band change before your eyes. The first song recorded at a Canadian TV show type setting shows 'The Doors' doing probably the most outstanding version of "The End" ever put to audio/video ever. Even though the Oedipal section is eliminated it is absolutely mind blowing (To Say The Least). Morrison is steaming. This performance capture the bands pre 'Light My Fire' fame remarkably well.

The second set of songs was recorded in Europe (Sweden I believe) and Morrison is seen in his prime bellowing out classics such as 'The Unknown Soldier', 'When The Musics Over' and more in sizzling hypnotic form. I was completely mesmerized by this part of the DVD (Morrison has some type of hypnotic quality to him in this video along with the sound of the band thumping behind him).

The third set is from the post Miami days. Morrison grew the beard, began dressing like a bum, and seemed a little more subdued (If not shaken up) as a result of the Miami fiasco. Still, you won't find a complete performance on video anywhere of 'The Soft Parade' and despite the mediocre video quality the performance is titllating. Its what the Doors were all about.

For any Doors fan, this is a must have DVD.

The sound quality is exceptional, especially when one acknowledges the fact these performances were recorded over thirty years ago.

This isn't flashy. The Doors are just playing some exceptional music. Certainly, someone raised on contemporary pop music would find this utterly boring. This DVD is not for people who need semi-clad dancers and strobe lights to make a music performance entertaining.

Jim Morrison is captivating in a very subdued way. It's quite fortunate these performances were recorded. The Doors, mostly because of Morrison's drug use and unpredictability, were quite hit and miss in regards to their live shows. These moments show Morrison at his best.

This is a gem amongst a lot of crap.