THE DOORS 30 YEARS COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

This DVD is a The Doors fan's wet dream! A few years ago I stumbled upon it, I couldn't believe me eyes: three video's and two bonus video tracks on one DVD and a pleasant mid-price! Let's have a look on this rock document.

Live At The Hollywood Bowl: This is the legendary 1968 concert and the only complete live gig of the Doors ever filmed (60 minutes). Looking at Jim Morrison performing his unique 'stage antics', you can imagine that it more or less influenced many rock artists, from David Bowie and Peter Gabriel to Fish and Johnny Rotten, even Elvis Presley bought a leather trouser after he had seen Jim wearing it during a The Doors TV broadcasting in 1967! My absolute highlight is Light My Fire, so many great moments, from the climax of the long and compelling organ solo when Ray delivers a heavenly smile and Jim is in trance with his maracca's to the the excellent build up in the end when Jim is hopping like a frog with his back to the audience, what a tension and explosive 'grand finale'! During The Unknown Soldier we can witness the 'execution' of Jim Morrison by Robby Krieger his guitar, John is playing the militairy snare drum and after the 'shooting', Jim keeps on singing while lying on the stage floor, this is rock-theatre at its best! And keep in mind that at the same time Jim's father was commander in the US Marine Force, did anybody say 'authority-conflict?! The final song The End contains sultry guitar scales, psychedelic organ (evoking early Pink Floyd) and a great final part when Jim is dancing like a native Indian in a pow-wow. The interplay between all musicians is outstanding , so dynamic and well timed.

Dance On Fire: This one contains a captivating selection of live and televised performances, promotional clips and behind the scenes footage (65 minutes). We can enjoy the infamous Light My Fire TV version during The Ed Sullivan Show (when Jim was not allowed to sing the word 'higher', this didn't keep Jim from screaming it loud into the camera!), The Unknown Soldier (execution of Jim on the beach with blood running from his mouth on flowers and scenes from Vietnam), Roadhouse Blues (featuring images from the riots on stage with Jim and the police), Touch Me (with Jim surrounded by a brass - and violin section of aged musicians) and Crystal Ship (most romantic The Doors song with a friendly and obviously 'stoned' Jim during a picknic)

The Soft Parade: This collection of footage drawn from the Doors' private archives, it features the band's last televised appearance on PBS in 1969 (65 minutes). Most songs are a blend of live, studio and private scenes. It's really sad to see how Jim has turned from a well-shaped and handsome God Of Orgasmic Rock into a old looking man with a beer belly, a thick beard and long, greasy hair, almost a 'living dead'!

Two bonus tracks: 'Break On Through' (a bit misleading named as an Isle Of Wight Festival track but it only contains a few glimpses of that concert in 1970) and 'The Ghost Song' (wonderful tribute featuring Jim his voice and poems, supported by the band members in a swinging rhythm with delicate Fender Rhodes piano, great guitarwork and inventive drumming.

THIS IS A GREAT VISUAL INTRODUCTION TO THE DOORS!