After unsuccessfully experimenting with their sound on The Soft Parade, The Doors stripped down to the basics. The music was tighter and had more focus, as did Morrison's lyrics, many of which dealt with his relationship with girlfriend Pamela Courson. The album has not only been remastered, but remixed as well, noticeably affecting some of the tracks.
Morrison Hotel starts with "Roadhouse Blues," a stellar blues rocker, and one of the most exhilarating songs to open an album. The harmonica at the beginning, played by an uncredited John Sebastian from The Lovin' Spoonful, is much more in the forefront. Lonnie Mack plays bass. While singing to the "Ashen lady," there's a delayed quiet echo on Morrison's voice. You can hear the ethos he lived by as he screams, "The future's uncertain and the end is always near." Truer words were never spoken.
"Waiting For The Sun" is the title track from a previous album. Manzarek's shimmering organ and Krieger's lilting guitar work bring to mind "Moonlight Drive." Although worked on during a prior recording session, the line "this is the strangest life I've / ever known" was surely apropos after Morrison's legal dealings in Miami.
Every eight beats a new instrument joins in on "Peace Frog." Robbie's starts, his guitar has a jangly sound, bringing a hint of funk. Densmore plays the cymbals and kicks the bass drum. A groovy bass line comes in. Ray's organ follows. Morrison joins in, juxtaposing the up-tempo beat singing about "blood in the streets." His lyrics are taken from an unfinished poem titled "Abortion Stories," but they also deal with unrest in the country. The "Blood on the streets of the / town of Chicago" references the riots at the '68 Democratic Convention and "Blood on the streets in the town / of New Haven" his onstage arrest in Connecticut.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
Yeah, I dunno about the extraneous noises - on LA Woman, the title song has a few extra notes tacked onto the front - it sounds like Krieger is trying to play God Save the Queen throught an FX pedal (seriously!).
Maybe they were going for a cinema verite sound on the remixes. Whatever - looks like I get to purchase Morrison Hotel for the 4th time (LP, 8 track, CD, & now the remastered CD). No wonder everyone's stealing stuff off the internet.
2 - JANK
Although reknowned for its rockers, Morrison Hotel also has some of the best Doors ballads.
Indian Summer - perhaps the best song ever with this title as it evokes the ellusiveness of the perfect summer, and its passing.
Blue Sunday - segueing from Peace Frog, this is a very haunting track and is well placed on the album.
3 - JC Mosquito
I was surprised to find this for under $7 yesterday, so I picked it up, The multiple takes of Roadhouse show how the song was developed overt time. FAscinating, but I wouldn't listen to it too often.
Much more interesting bonus tracks are on SOft Parade - I'd necer heard Whiskey, Mustics & Men before - hey - a new Doors song for my mp3 player!