Review: The Doors - Live at the Matrix 1967

The Doors - Live at the Matrix 1967
Released: November 18, 2008
Recorded: March 7 & 10 1967
Label: Bright Midnight Archives

January 5, 2009


March 1967 in San Francisco, California. Its a Tuesday night outside of a popular psychedelic rock n' roll club, The Matrix. A place that would eventually be known as the "San Francisco Sound". Hosting such as The Grateful Dead, The Wailers and one band that had rarely any fan-base outside Southern California, The Doors.

With the newest release of Live at the Matrix we get a retrospective opportunity to hear the band in what may be it's truest form. As this was years before what some would describe as the demise of front man Jim Morrison. Break On Through (To The Other Side) is the opener to our vintage set and it is heard loud in clear. By the end of the first song you learn exactly why this band was to become the major sensation that they turned out to be. Morrison's voice is carried heavily through the set and musically thrives on it's sense of heavy lyrical mystery and experimental sound . By the end of our March 7th show we have reached The End the epic 14 minute psychedelically staggering closer. Different than most version's ever released from the band, mostly due to it's variously different lyrics. As the song comes to it's peak the band releases with such an energy that would make anyone listening instantly disoriented. A few claps follow The End and the show comes to a close.

Live at The Matrix offers a great mix Doors hit's with such songs as Alabama Song, The Crystal Ship, Soul Kitchen, People Are Strange and Light My Fire. Which are all done wonderfully live, as well as it's superb quality. Both CD's are equally as good and offer equal amounts of classic Doors songs. With the release of Live at The Matrix we are given the chance to hear The Doors as a rising band of the late 60's, pure and full of energy. Live at The Matrix is an essential must own for any Doors fan and is true enough to sell first time listeners.



Rating: 8/10