Live In Detroit
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The surviving members of The Doors have seen to it that nearly every inch of tape featuring Jim Morrison has been made available to fans. This show from Detroit's Cobo Hall on May 8, 1970, was the inaugural full-scale concert released on The Doors' own label, Bright Midnight. The Doors of 1970 were a blues band with only token nods to psychedelia. The live music is harder than their studio releases, and the songs are often longer and more inventive. "When the Music's Over" excels in this live format, as does the pounding and unforgiving "Roadhouse Blues." Some recordings would make their way to the official live album, 1970's Absolutely Live. But the overall experience here re-creates what it felt like to be at an entire Doors concert. "Been Down So Long," which wouldn't appear until 1971's L.A. Woman, is a scathing performance. "Rock Me Baby" melts into "Heartbreak Hotel" as Jim Morrison transforms from shaman to bluesman. The Doors' trademark hit, "Light My Fire," becomes an extended instrumental battle. "The End" is mystical transcendence, with Ray Manzarek's organ and Robby Krieger's guitar weaving the tension.