The Doors with Jim Morrison recorded six studio albums between 1967 and 1971 and released one live album, Absolutely Live, in 1970. These tapes of the early and late shows at the Boston Arena on April 19, 1970 were recorded on multi-track for that live album. A few minor technical flaws exist and Morrison is admittedly well-oiled for the performances. Tracks are often divided up too liberally. For example, “More More More” is 18 seconds of stage banter. “Ladies & Gentlemen” is 13 seconds of nonsense. “Power Turned Off” is over nine minutes (!) of audience chanting and various stage noises. However, the actual songs here prove the Doors were a volatile and explosive rock act, able to run the full dynamic range with just a guitarist, drummer and organist who held down the bass duties on a keyboard bass. Their unorthodox approach made their blues psychedelic and their psychedelic explorations hypnotic and weird. “Mystery Train,” “Rock Me” and “Crossroads” don’t quite reach the band’s usual level of mastery but “Five to One,” “When the Music’s Over,” “The Spy” and a shambolic “Been Down So Long” (with the lick from “Maggie McGill” running throughout) show the charisma that’s enabled the Doors to endure thirty-plus years since their first go-round.

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