Search - Doors :: Legacy: Absolute Best

Almost Ideal

C. S. Junker | Burien, WA USA | 06/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have no idea how many Doors "greatest hits" collections have been issued over the years, but this is as good as it's likely to get without simply buying all six albums.



The previous "Best of the Doors" was 2-cd set but was a transfer from a two-LP set and didn't take advantage of the longer CD running time, each disc running under 45 mins. This set not only includes all the Doors' most popular songs but puts them in chronological order, and adds the live track "Gloria" and the previously unissued studio version of "The Celebration of the Lizard."



"Lizard" is a curio item that seems to have been tacked on to force people like me (who already own all the Doors albums) to buy this one too. While "Lizard" is a great poem, the line about "a different steeple" being a notable exception, most of the music doesn't work that well, except for "Not to Touch the Earth." The live versions of "Lizard" are equally frustrating, running hot and cold but never having quite the impact the Doors were shooting for. This is clearly still a work in progress; perhaps if the Doors had continued to perform it they would have found a solid groove for it. (Ray Manzarek has said that he was never competely satisfied with live performances of "The End", either; but at least they nailed the studio version.)



IMPORTANT: Both "The End" and "Break on Through" include minor alterations from their original versions. There is some different vocalization by Jim on both songs, some of which you hear on the version of "The End" that was used in the film "Apocalypse Now." There's nothing inherently wrong with offering these alternative mixes but it does detract from the collection's claim to be definitive.



*This compilation has been deleted and replaced by yet another two-disc set, with some different songs.*"

The Doors Legacy - The Absolute Best

J.T | 01/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Doors fan for many, many years. I love this CD to pieces. I keep hearing people complain 'well they put out a dozen greatest hits cds'. Yes this is true, but when you hear this CD you HEAR it. The sound is almost flawless. Every song was fixed to be heard on even the most powerful stero systems. Sure, this cd does miss out on a few essentials, but if you're like me and own every single cd that has came out then there shouldn't be a problem. This cd is excellent for fans who have just tuned into The Doors. Some of The Doors greatest stuff is on here including Break On Through, Back Door Man, Light My Fire, Alabama Song (on of my personal favorites), The End, Soul Kitchen, Love Me Two Times, People Are Strange, When The Musics Over and Riders On The Storm. A beautiful cd, worthy of the twenty and some odd dollars. If you're a Doors fan, you probably have all their cds, but believe me, this cd just sounds so much more crisp. Take a newly recorded cd and test it with this. I'll tell you this, it's just like that Doors are right here with you! Jim Morrison will not be forgotten, he will be forever remembered for what he did on this earth. He will be forever remembered in our hearts and our prayers."There are things known, and there are things unknown, and in between are The Doors" --- Jim MorrisonJames Douglas Morrison
1943-1971"

Hidden Goodies

Nick Appuglise | Reno, NV USA | 09/20/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"One of the few things most reviews presented so far have excluded to mention is that there are a few extra goodies in this package of greatest hits. For one, they put back in the "she gets high" lyrics in Break On Through (To the Other Side), which was originally taken out for controversy. So now the song sounds, for the first time, what they originally wanted it to sound like. Also, they have loudened morrison's voice in The End where he goes off in the "f-word" frenzy (which was included in the Apocalypse Now version of the song). And finally, there is the studio version of The Celebration Lizard. Unfortunately, Morrison sounds subdued and weary and unprophetic here...as if they recorded it casually on a saturday afternoon. The live version is by far much better, since it is raw, and pure, and true in emotion and brilliance. The studio version just puts Jim reading his lyrics to the ad libbed playing of Manzarek and Krieger. Nothing special, even for true fans dying to here it for the first time. Once again, The Doors are trying to reap profit of a double cd by adding a few changes to their music. This cd can be skipped. Do yourself a favor and by the original six studio albums."