THE DOORS 21st Century

LIVE CRITICAL SOUNDBITES

  

“Sometimes a show jumps up and surpasses expectations.  A perfect example was Friday night’s Doors reunion, which could have been a hard sell because of the late singer/rock-icon-supreme Jim Morrison’s absence.  But new singer Ian Astbury stepped up remarkably well and, helped by original Doors Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, made this an event to savor…The Doors rocked for two hours and 15 minutes, hitting nearly every highlight from their ‘60s heyday (‘Back Door Man,’ ‘Crystal Ship,’ ‘Light My Fire,’ ‘Peace Frog,’ and ‘Soul Kitchen’ helped take the night home). The group also debuted a new song, ‘Cops Talk’ (written by Jim Carroll of ‘Basketball Diaries’ fame), that fit in nicely and featured Astbury and Manzarek trading lead vocals that had a street-rap edge…Manzarek said the group was working on an album for release this year.  It might be a hope beyond hope to think it could rival their old work, but based on the concert Friday night, there should be no shortage of momentum.”

Steve Morse, Boston Globe, 4/27/03

 

“After 30 years, Manzarek’s swirling fun-house organ and Krieger’s fleet fretwork are unbroken.  They displayed their best stuff on an extended version of ‘Light My Fire’ that put the original three-minute radio version of the tune to shame.”

Dan Aquilante, New York Post, 4/26/03

 

“…as Krieger laid into the loping opening riff to ‘Roadhouse Blues,’ it suddenly seemed that the band’s risky endeavor could work: there could be a new Doors.  Astbury’s rich baritone picked up the verse with Morrison’s inflections…and the crowd began to roar…It wasn’t Morrison, it wasn’t a tribute act, it was Astbury revealing that the familiar songs -- ‘L.A. Woman,’ ‘Break On Through,’ ‘Five To One’ -- held new potential.”

Dean Kuipers, Los Angeles Times, 9/9/02

 

“No other band has captured the Doors’ blend of blues, hard rock, psychedelia and pop, and they delivered their mix intact.  Krieger, in particular, shined, demonstrating on ‘Roadhouse Blues’ and ‘Love Me Two Times’ his ability to make elegant melody out of guitar lines of groomed metallic howls.”

Richard Abowitz, Rolling Stone, 2/20/03

 

“Simply put, the band’s two-hour set was pure, shiver-up-the-spine magic…”

John Lappen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9/10/02  

 

 “People knew what they were getting and seemed to heartily enjoy what they saw and heard, which included more than two hours of Doors’ hits.”

Jim Farber, New York Daily News, 4/26/03

 

 “Manzarek and Krieger remain talented and unique musicians; no one sounds like them.  The three, supported by (Ty) Dennis and bassist Angelo Barbera, roared through Doors songs such as ‘Break on Through,’ ‘L.A. Woman,’ ‘Light My Fire,’ and a romping ‘Soul Kitchen’ finale.  The crowd was in a state of rapture from the start, and a good slice were obviously Doors fans after the fact.  There were even a few teens in the house.  A half hour and three songs into the night, Manzarek introduced Astbury, and the place went nuts, a litmus test passed.”

Dean Johnson, Boston Herald, 4/26/03

 

“…a devastatingly powerful performance before a delirious crowd of more than 4,000 fans…Krieger, who stole the show, thanks to his consistently brilliant guitar playing.  Bending notes, and letting his fingers dance on the frets during ‘When The Music’s Over,’ he took the song straight over the top, and also turned in a superb slide solo on ‘Moonlight Drive.’  Later he showed off his flamenco guitar artistry on one of the Doors’ most underrated gems, ‘Spanish Caravan.’”

Kevin O’Hare, Springfield Union-News (MA), 5/1/03

 

“…the old music works better than ever, particularly when Robby Krieger takes the helm…Ray Manzarek was still bright on ‘Light My Fire,’ and some of the other signature piano and organ solos of the Doors’ early work…Krieger was the stalwart of the show.  His extraordinary guitar work, playing piano-like chords over lead licks, sparkled, and he drove ‘L.A. Woman’ into the night streets with the determination and horror the song demands…For an old garage band hack, it was a gratifying experience to see the mostly real Doors do great material, probably better and tighter than they ever did in ‘70s.”

James Cain, Hartford Courant, 4/30/03

 

“…served up 20 tunes, kicking off with a chugging ‘Roadhouse Blues’ and ending just over two hours later with a rollicking ‘Soul Kitchen’ that had female fans gyrating on the stage.”

Patrick Quinn, Connecticut Post, 4/30/03

 

 “The sound balance is superb, and the powerful opening salvo of ‘Roadhouse Blues’ and ‘Break On Through’ confirms that nobody here is ready for the chicken in-a-basket circuit.  Manzarek and Krieger are exemplary, playing with admirable appetite while contrasting in all kinds of ways.  (Krieger’s) flamenco intro to ‘Spanish Caravan’ outclass the original studio recording, and his play on ‘When The Music’s Over’ has a feral, punk quality that belies his years.”

James McNair, Mojo, 4/03

 

“He’s (Robby Krieger) perfected a rocking, blasting guitar tone that he pushed to the brink of spin-out, injecting spirit into the night’s best moments: a heavy ‘Wild Child,’ a blue-mean ‘Maggie McGill,’ a jazz/rock/reggae ‘Light My Fire’ interpolating the Wallers’ ‘Get Up, Stand Up,’ and a cruisin’ ‘L.A.”

Greg Burk, L.A. Weekly, 2/14/03

 

 “Tacking one of the hardest jobs in rock right now with remarkable zing, former Cult frontman Ian Astbury tore into ‘Roadhouse Blues’ like a man possessed…Listening to them (Krieger and Manzarek) interact on an explosive ‘When The Music’s Over,’ you felt like these two had to put this band back together, because some cosmic force demands that they appear onstage together…they put on a hell of a show.”

Entertainment Today, 2/21/03

 

“For one night, time stopped and thousand of loyal fans rejoiced as The Doors -- the 21st century version featuring founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger -- performed a magical concert that, more than any show in recent memory, illustrated the power and influence of timeless, life changing rock ‘n’ roll.”

John Lappen, The Hollywood Reporter, 2/10/03

 

 “Astbury smartly remained himself offering ‘When the Music’s Over’ and ‘Riders on the Storm’ with the same scratchy, nicotine-soaked wail he used with the Cult…Astbury was probably the best choice for this tour… Astbury explored a spirituality and mysticism on the Cult’s best ‘80s alternative rock that parallels The Doors’ own journey… the opportunity to see Manzarek exchange midsong organ interludes with Krieger’s blues-influenced guitar on ‘Break on Through (to the Other Side)’ and ‘Love Me Two Times’ was worth it.  The two faced each other and beat out the songs with renewed energy, smiling as if they shared a secret.”

Michael Clark, Houston Chronicle, 3/31/03

(thanks, Lorie)

return to Ida's LA Woman Confidential home page 

 for more Doors news and reviews