MORRISON HOTEL

I have two words for this album; "Sonic Relief." Even though the fetid "Soft Parade" was a disaster for the Doors, I remained a loyal fan. I spotted the new album at woolworth's in January of 1970 and I just had to have it. I did manage to get my hands on the vinyl release in less than a week after I saw it. One must remember, at the time of this recording, Morrison was involved in the "Miami incident." I thought for sure that he was rotting in jail, until I saw the new record. I'm certain the Doors must have thought it best to get to work in the studio just in case things got ugly for Jim. "Morrison Hotel" turned out to be a great release for the most part. I really liked the artistic parts of the music. The sensual raw stuff didn't appeal to me that much. Anyone could talk about having sex, but not everyone could make you think. Morrison had that God given talent. That is what I wanted to hear, not the stuff everyone else was doing. "Road House Blues" is an excellent opening for the band. I didn't like it that much at first because it didn't "hit" me right away, but it quickly grew on me. After I learned to play the guitar, the song was one of my favorites to perform. In truth, the first offering to "hit" me was the second one called, "Waiting for the Sun." The song is definitely prog oriented. It is excellent musically and lyrically It also is a blend of heavy and exotic elements, which mesh well. "You make me Real" was the first song to get radio play as a top forty release. It's "Rock and Roll." Simply put, the kind one might have heard back in the late fifties. I was supportive of the band and also bought the 45, but I really didn't and don't like it a lot. I must confess that I never have enjoyed listening to "Rock and Roll" in its pure form. It just doesn't hold my interest like the off beat stuff does. Speaking of off beat, as well as wonderfully original, "Peace Frog" also "hit" me immediately. It is simply a killer tune. The rhythm sounds like a frog jumping. It is really cool sounding. The lyrics are right there, keeping you focused and begging for more. The Doors again go prog searching and succeed abundantly! They even connect "Blue Sunday" to it, as if to say, "We own the future of music!" "Blue Sunday" is serene and moody. Pure romantic escape. A fitting answer to the volatile "Peace frog." Then we have "Ship of Fools," which sucks you right in and thrills the listener with adventurerous riffs, change of pace and direction. Very pleasing to the ear. Great musicianship! This is the kind of music the Doors are capable of producing. "Land Ho" has a sea going feel to it. The music compliments Morrison's vivid and purposeful words. They change it up a little without losing the vibe, but not as much as "Ship of Fools." It is still enjoyable to hear. "The spy" is blatanly "blues" and very simple to play. It is well done and cuts across generational lines. My mom liked the song too! I still enjoy singing the words. "Queen of the Highway is another venture into prog land for the Doors. The keyboard is the real star hear and the lyrics are again visual and compelling. It also "hit" me right away. "Indian Summer" is thoughtful and moves the hearer to long for the summer past. It is the more acoustic sounding part of the release. The last tune is one I wish wasn't on the album. "Maggie McGill" is another blues recital. It is rude sounding and VERY BORING! I couldn't wait for it to end. A real stinker! If they got rid of "You Make Me Real" and "Maggie McGill," it would get five stars from me. Since that won't happen, I will give it four stars because it is so good sounding, and in my humble opinion, essential to the development of prog. Definitely a great comeback album!