THE DOORS

A next door neighbor by the name of Mike Stahl saw me walking along the alley one day in mid 1967 and yelled out, " Hey, I just listened to the best song I've ever heard. You gotta hear it!" He, of course, was referring to "Light My Fire" by the Doors. It peaked my curiosity, so I kept a close ear on the topforty and sure enough, Mike was right. When I first heard "Light My Fire" it blew me away. I never heard anything like it. It was absolutely beautiful! I had to agree that it was the best tune I had ever heard as well. Unfortunately, being a teenager back in the 60's, I didn't get a lot of money to spend on anything, so it was a while before I could get the album. Finally, the day came when I purchased the record at Murphy's Five & Dime store for about $3.25. Of course, the first song I played was "Light My Fire." When I looked at the time on it, I was upset. I was expecting the 45 version and what I got was four extra minutes that I didn't care to hear at that time. I was very disappointed about it for awhile, but I got over it rather quickly and then I loved hearing it instead of the short version. The first song, "Break on Through" has an atmosphere to it that makes it stand out. It is almost like you are in some kind of hall and the Doors are playing for you alone. The song itself is on the quick side, but it is deceptive. Robbie Krieger plays a run that is moderate, not super fast. It is effective though for the tune. "Soul Kitchen" is creeper bluesy. The tune sounds like someone sneaking about as Morrison imparts his trademark destitute outlook on life. He desires to stay there, but he has to go out in the night, for his own reasons. The solo is again on the moderate to slow side. It's adequate for the song. "Crystal Ship" was an immediate favorite with me. Slow and powerful. Beautiful to the ear. Unfortunately, it had to be controversial. I know it never influenced me to do drugs like it was claimed by critics. I never really understood the connection, until many years later. "20th Century Fox" is akin to "Soul Kitchen" but more lively. Morrison is fixated with his ideal woman. I think this was penned before he met Pam. I never really liked "Alabama Song." It sounds like you are in some kind of cheap circus. They were capable of much better music than that, in my opinion. Eventually I began to sing the song quite often. I still stink it is amateurish. It should never have been allowed on the record. I have already spoken about "Light My Fire." I will say that the solos are wonderful and keep your attention. There is nothing stale here. "Back Door Man" is very blues. The boys grab you by the throat and give it to you good! Morrison is in his stomping ground here. "I Looked at You" is a speedy answer to the slower stuff. It is good stuff for rock. Ray M. is in top form here. "End of the Night" is also another fave for me. Again, there is such an atmosphere to it and nearly everything else on the album. "Take it as it Comes" is a look at going for it with all your heart. It is also on the lively side "The End" took awhile to get used to, but it soon became a fave also. I remember that I had a lot in common with some of the lyrics. Morrison brought out something that no one was comfortable in talking about, but he offered no solution, except to be selfish and gratify your desire at whomever's expense. If anyone reading this has a mother fixation, they need to get counseling and get it out in the open. they need to talk to their parents about it. I know I was plagued with dreams for years about my mother and after I talked to a pastor about it, the dreams ceased. I even told my mom about my problem. I believe the cause for me at least was after I had looked at a picture of a woman performing a sex act on a male. I was never the same after that. Morrison didn't go far enough because he probably didn't completely understand his problem, at least to deal rightly with it. All in all I give this 4stars.