THE DOORS - Absolutely Live 12" 2LP Vinyl Album

- Canadian Release with Red Record Label, Gatefold Album Cover

Album Description:

The album "Absolutely Live 2LP" stands as a testament to the raw energy and captivating performances of the legendary American rock band, The Doors. Released in July 1970, this record marked their first foray into the live album territory. It showcased the band's ability to captivate audiences with their electrifying stage presence and showcased their unique blend of blues, rock, and poetic lyricism.

The creation of "Absolutely Live" was a meticulous process undertaken by the band's producer, Paul Rothchild. With numerous shows recorded during the 1970 tour, Rothchild embarked on the arduous task of piecing together a cohesive concert experience from the various performances. He meticulously edited and spliced different sections from different shows, aiming to create what he called "the ultimate concert". The end result is a captivating album that seamlessly blends the best parts of various shows, making it difficult to discern which parts originate from which performances.

The tracklist of "Absolutely Live 2LP" takes listeners on an exhilarating musical journey. The album kicks off with the "House Announcer", setting the stage for what's to come. It then launches into a powerful rendition of "Who Do You Love?" showcasing the band's ability to infuse their own flavor into blues classics. The hauntingly beautiful "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)" follows, with Jim Morrison's enigmatic vocals painting vivid imagery.

The Doors' signature intensity is exemplified in tracks like "Back Door Man" and "Love Hides", where they deliver electrifying performances that ooze with passion. "Five to One" further solidifies their status as provocateurs, challenging societal norms with its rebellious spirit and incisive lyrics.

Moving to Side Two, "Build Me a Woman" showcases Morrison's poetic prowess, with his introspective lyrics accompanied by mesmerizing instrumentation. However, the centerpiece of the album undoubtedly lies in "When the Music's Over", a sprawling 16-minute epic that takes listeners on an enthralling sonic journey. It serves as a testament to The Doors' ability to create expansive musical landscapes and captivate audiences with their improvisational skills.

Side Three features the bluesy "Close to You", followed by the introspective and enigmatic "Universal Mind". The album then takes an intriguing turn with the inclusion of "Petition the Lord with Prayer" and "Dead Cats, Dead Rats", showcasing The Doors' willingness to experiment with unconventional ideas. The infectious energy of "Break On Through (to the Other Side) No. 2" rounds out this side, leaving listeners craving for more.

The final side of the album kicks off with "Celebration of the Lizard", a mesmerizing and complex piece that highlights the band's artistic ambitions. It seamlessly transitions into the short but impactful "Lions in the Street" and "Wake Up", displaying The Doors' ability to create an atmosphere of tension and anticipation. The intriguing interlude of "A Little Game" leads to "The Hill Dwellers", a haunting track that captures the band's penchant for poetic storytelling. "Not to Touch the Earth" follows, delivering an energetic burst of rock 'n' roll, while "Names of the Kingdom" and "The Palace of Exile" provide a mystical and surreal sonic experience. The album concludes with the ever-popular "Soul Kitchen", leaving listeners with a sense of fulfillment and a desire to relive the entire musical journey.

The Doors producer, and long time collaborator Paul Rothchild painstakingly edited the album from many different shows to create one cohesive concert. For example, the best part of a song from the Detroit show may have been spliced together with another part of the same song from the Boston show, again trying to create "the ultimate concert". It can become very difficult to identify what parts are from what shows. Rothchild has said "I couldn't get complete takes of a lot of songs, so sometimes I'd cut from Detroit to Philadelph