Engineer: Bruce Botnick
Debut from this outfit, its blues-based sound pure L.A., a refreshing alternative to the meandering California psychedelic from Frisco. While it gets a bit silly at times, they always manage to pull out the slack, laying down a string of solid cuts that conclude with the epic “The End.” While, they had several solid sets, this debut was one of their best. It serves as a good intro to this band, and it’s essential listening for fans.
— winch
Engineer: Bruce Botnick
While this L.A. outfit had a strong beginning, cracks begin to show with this third set. Much of the material has a dreary feel to it, perhaps capturing not only the strain of fame on this band, but also the wilting of the flowers from the summer of love. Like all their 60s albums, this has its moments, but it’s their weakest album with Morrison.
— winch
Engineer: Bruce Botnick
Released August 1969 (September in the UK), reached #6 (ignored in the UK)
Perhaps recognizing that their previous album was a bit depressing, they pick up the pace and fill in the sound for this fourth set, backing the band with big arrangements and calling in plenty of guests. While this was an improvement over the third album, many felt otherwise. The Doors had finally found an audience in the U.K. with the third set, but they lost them again with this collection.
The set gets a bit overblown and silly at times, but the same is true with all their albums. This doesn’t have the dark menace of the early material, but it sees the band pulling out the slack and charging forward, something they’d continue doing in the 70s. It’s another worthwhile listen for fans.
— winch
Sounds Good 