Album Information:
Album ID: 10069
About The Doors:
The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The group consisted of vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They are considered one of the most influential bands of the 1960s, combining Morrison's poetic lyrics and theatrical stage presence with Manzarek's distinct organ sound, Krieger's bluesy guitar solos, and Densmore's jazz-inspired drumming.
The band's origins can be traced back to UCLA, where Morrison and Manzarek met in a film class. They bonded over their mutual love of music and poetry and soon began playing together in local clubs. Krieger and Densmore joined the band in 1965, and the four began performing under the name The Doors, taken from Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception.
The Doors' self-titled debut album was released in 1967 and included the hit singles 'Light My Fire' and 'Break on Through (To the Other Side).' The album received critical acclaim and established the band as one of the most innovative and expressive acts of the era.
Morrison's enigmatic and controversial stage presence also added to their popularity. He was known for his wild behavior, including exposing himself during a concert in Miami in 1969, which resulted in charges of indecent exposure and obscenity. Morrison's behavior and legal troubles ultimately led to the band's breakup in 1973.
Despite their relatively short career, The Doors had a significant impact on music and popular culture. Their psychedelic sound, infused with jazz and blues influences, paved the way for future generations of bands. Morrison's lyrics, which often explored themes of death and spirituality, also had a profound effect on listeners.
The Doors' legacy continues to live on through their music, which has been featured in countless movies, television shows, and commercials. Their influence can also be seen in the work of contemporary artists such as The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, and Kings of Leon.
About the album L.A. Woman:
L.A. Woman is the sixth studio album by the iconic American rock band The Doors, released in 1971. The album is considered one of the band's finest works, hailed by critics and fans alike for its raw, bluesy sound and Jim Morrison's intense vocal performances.
The album features eleven tracks showcasing the band's signature style of psychedelic rock blended with elements of blues, jazz, and funk. It opens with the title track 'L.A. Woman,' a gritty and powerful ode to the city of Los Angeles. The track's driving rhythm, bluesy guitar riffs, and Morrison's gritty vocals set the tone for the rest of the album.
'Love Her Madly' follows, a catchy pop-rock track with a memorable chorus and colorful lyrics. 'Been Down So Long' is a slow bluesy song featuring passionate harmonica playing by John Sebastian. 'Cars Hiss By My Window' is a moody, slow-burning track with sparse instrumentation and haunting vocal delivery by Morrison.
Another standout track is 'Riders on the Storm,' a mystical and atmospheric song with a memorable keyboard riff and Morrison's haunting vocals, painting a vivid picture of a lonely drive through a stormy night. 'Changeling' is a funky and upbeat track with intricate guitar work and Morrison's energetic vocal performance.
Other notable tracks include the sultry 'L'America,' the intense 'Hyacinth House,' and the bluesy 'The Wasp (Texas Radio and the Big Beat).' The album concludes with 'Riders on the Storm' (reprise), bringing the album full circle.
Overall, L.A. Woman showcases The Doors at their musical peak, with the band's raw and passionate performances on full display. The album is a timeless classic, a must-listen for any fan of rock music.
Members:
The key members of The Doors were:
1. Jim Morrison - lead vocalist and lyricist
2. Ray Manzarek - keyboardist
3. Robby Krieger - guitarist
4. John Densmore - drummer
Jim Morrison:
James Douglas Morrison (December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band The Doors. Morrison was born in Melbourne, Florida, and raised in Virginia. He attended UCLA and formed The Doors in 1965. Morrison was known for his wild and unpredictable stage persona, and his poetic and philosophical lyrics. He was also an accomplished poet and published several books of poetry during his lifetime. Morrison died in Paris in 1971 at the age of 27.
Ray Manzarek:
Raymond Daniel Manzarek (February 12, 1939 - May 20, 2013) was an American musician, singer, producer, and film director, best known as the keyboardist and founder of The Doors. Manzarek was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended UCLA, where he met Jim Morrison. He co-wrote many of The Doors' songs and was known for his distinctive keyboard playing, using a Fender Rhodes piano and a Vox Continental organ. After The Doors disbanded, Manzarek continued to work as a musician and producer. He died in 2013 at the age of 74.
Robby Krieger:
Robert Alan Krieger (born January 8, 1946) is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist of The Doors. Krieger was born in Los Angeles, California, and began playing guitar at a young age. He joined The Doors in 1965 and wrote some of the band's most famous songs, including 'Light My Fire,' 'Love Me Two Times,' and 'Touch Me.' After The Doors disbanded, Krieger continued to work as a musician and released several solo albums.
John Densmore:
John Paul Densmore (born December 1, 1944) is an American musician, drummer, and author, best known as the drummer of The Doors. Densmore was born in Los Angeles, California, and began playing drums in his teens. He joined The Doors in 1965 and was known for his energetic and creative drumming style. After The Doors disbanded, Densmore continued to work as a musician and released several solo albums. He is also an advocate for environmental causes and has written several books on the subject.
Track List for L.A. Woman:
1. 'The Changeling' (4:20) - The opening track of the album features a driving rhythm, bluesy guitar riffs, and Jim Morrison's distinctive vocals. The lyrics describe a transformative experience, perhaps alluding to Morrison's own personal struggles.
2. 'Love Her Madly' (3:20) - This catchy, upbeat track was one of The Doors' biggest hits and features some of their most straightforward and accessible lyrics. The song tells the story of a man trying to win back his estranged lover.
3. 'Been Down So Long' (4:41) - A bluesy track with haunting vocals and an ominous-sounding guitar riff. The lyrics draw inspiration from a book by writer Richard Farina and explore themes of despair, isolation, and the search for meaning.
4. 'Cars Hiss By My Window' (4:12) - A slow-burning blues track with a hypnotic guitar riff and Morrison's raw, soulful vocals. The lyrics tell a story of loneliness and yearning, with Morrison painting vivid images of cars passing by outside his window.
5. 'L.A. Woman' (7:49) - The title track and centerpiece of the album, 'L.A. Woman' features a funky, groove-laden beat and showcases some of Morrison's most electrifying vocals. The lyrics paint a portrait of Los Angeles as a city of contrasts, with glamour and wealth coexisting alongside danger and decay.
6. 'L'America' (4:35) - A hard-driving track with a pulsing beat and piercing guitar riffs. The lyrics touch on themes of violence, corruption, and disillusionment, with Morrison channeling his frustration and rage into his performance.
7. 'Hyacinth House' (3:11) - A dreamy, ethereal track with a haunting melody and Morrison's tender vocals. The lyrics are poetic and impressionistic, hinting at themes of loss, longing, and the fleeting nature of beauty.
8. 'Crawling King Snake' (5:00) - A blues classic originally written by John Lee Hooker, The Doors put their own spin on 'Crawling King Snake' with a slinky, hypnotic arrangement and Morrison's sultry vocals. The lyrics describe a man's lustful obsession with a woman.
9. 'The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)' (4:12) - A moody, atmospheric track with a sparse arrangement and eerie sound effects. The lyrics reference the assassination of JFK and hint at Morrison's fascination with conspiracy theories and counterculture ideas.
10. 'Riders on the Storm' (7:34) - A haunting, atmospheric track that closes the album with a sense of foreboding. The song features a hypnotic, repetitive piano riff and Morrison's whispered vocals, with the lyrics telling the story of a group of travelers braving a storm in the desert. The track is often cited as one of The Doors' greatest achievements and is a testament to their ability to create immersive, cinematic soundscapes.
Discography for The Doors:
Sure, here is the complete discography for The Doors in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:
1. The Doors (Album) - January 4, 1967
2. Break On Through (To The Other Side) / End Of The Night (Single) - January 1, 1967
3. Light My Fire / The Crystal Ship (Single) - April 3, 1967
4. Strange Days (Album) - September 25, 1967
5. People Are Strange / Unhappy Girl (Single) - September 1967
6. Love Me Two Times / Moonlight Drive (Single) - November 23, 1967
7. The Unknown Soldier / We Could Be So Good Together (Single) - January 1968
8. Waiting For The Sun (Album) - July 11, 1968
9. Hello, I Love You / Love Street (Single) - June 1968
10. Touch Me / Wild Child (Single) - December 1968
11. The Soft Parade (Album) - July 18, 1969
12. Wishful Sinful / Who Scared You (Single) - February 1969
13. Tell All The People / Easy Ride (Single) - May 1969
14. Morrison Hotel (Album) - February 1, 1970
15. You Make Me Real / Roadhouse Blues (Single) - February 1970
16. Peace Frog / Blue Sunday (Single) - February 1970
17. Ship Of Fools / The Spy (Single) - June 1970
18. Absolutely Live (Album) - July 20, 1970
19. Waiting For The Sun (Expanded) (Album) - September 14, 2018
20. An American Prayer (Album) - November 17, 1978
21. Essential Rarities (Compilation) - October 22, 1999
22. The Best Of The Doors (Compilation) - September 25, 2000
23. The Very Best Of The Doors (Compilation) - March 25, 2007
24. When You're Strange (Soundtrack) - April 9, 2010
25. Live In New York (Album) - January 1, 2011
26. London Fog 1966 (Album) - December 16, 2016
27. The Singles (Compilation) - September 15, 2017
I hope this helps!