Classic Albums: The Doors

[vernier]

I love the two music eras coming together in these old 60's clips. The big band guys from the 40's and 50's helping out with the music the kids were doing in the 60's. Like the Beatles in the all you need is love video.

Morrison handled that very well ...he was great on TV.

'

[CorkyTart]

Originally Posted by dbbubba

What is their facination with Am and Dm?
Almost EVERY song started on either of those two chords.
Strummy, minor chord progressions that any semi-talented highschool kid could play.
Bumbed-out guy vocals.... they do work well over contemplative, bumbed-out, minor chord progressions.
.

LOL

Jim Morrison is a quintessential rock star. In 30 years from now kids will be wearing shirts with his face on it. And thats why I use the word "is" instead of "was"

[chris33AD]

Just finished reading all this debate and spent about an hour sifting through Radiohead tracks...I personally can't even stomach the thought of attempting a comparison between the two groups. I've studied art rock most of my adult life and now pushing 50. To my ears the Doors are incredibly talented and masterful artists, all of them. But Jim was leading them AND us someplace we never went before. The guy was a phenomenal talent and comparing him to Yorke of Radiohead is truly sad.
I am aware of all the Radiohead hoopla and best-selling albums thing that goes on but not impressed whatsoever. Are they a good band, sure. Are they in the league of The Doors? No way, no how. I feel sorry for those on this post that have condemned The Doors. To those who are slamming Morrison here all I can say is I'm thankful I don't have your ears.

Just a sidenote: click my link and watch the Radiohead video "Anyone can play guitar" (very fitting title) and you will see and hear the lead singer proclaiming how he wishes he could be jim morrison. Perhaps a joke but funny how he can't even undo Morrison when he's tryin' hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di2d7...eature=related

[Yfoiler]

Originally Posted by Kadden Heart

the older guys,...claim the term "classic" rock...because that's what they know,..what they grew up on, and it was probably one of the first typs of things that was revolutionary during their childhood.

the young guys of today cna't claim it as "classic" rock, we don't have a connection to that music. doors, hendrix, cream cool,...but i can't listen to it and go "wow, what chops" because lets face it,...todays musicians would tear them up chop-wise.

but today, in the world of hovering cars there's no longer anything that can surprise us.

Your definition of "Classic Rock" is both sad and demonstrative of today's "dumbed down" view of musicianship and musicality. When you SAY something with your music, AND it stands the test of time, then, and only then will it be worthy of the term "Classic". And while AGE is a necessary component of being Classic, it is not the prime requisite. Being WORTHY and MEMORABLE are two other components that come to mind. The fact that modern technology lets today's players cram more notes into a 150 BPM bar of four than previously thought humanly possible is of minor importance when compared to true musicianship---and the fact you confuse "chops" with true musicianship is where your argument falls short. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that your "chop wise" players today would be where they are were it NOT for all that have gone before them---and while today's "chop wise" players have built upon the chops of the past, it's to bad the majority of them didn't drag a little musicality along as well.

As an example, I equate today's "chop wise" players as being just like jugglers. Yeah, they woodshed forever learning one trick after another, just as a juggler starts out learning with three balls, then four, then five, then it's on to bowling balls and chainsaws! As a bass player myself, I laugh my ass off at the plethora of guys like Billy Sheehan who flamboyantly, and with admittedly GREAT JUGGLING skill, jump from one "trick" to another "trick" tying them all together with somewhat less than musical transitions....and 'today’s listeners' call that a solo. If your definition of a solo is simply one instrument stepping out front and playing, then I suppose it qualifies---but to me that is the sum of it's virtues.

You know... I used to work on Jimi Hendrix's equipment when I was a bench tech at a company called Cal Audio in Burbank, CA many "Classic" years ago. I'll never forget opening what today we would call his effects rack. It was an anvil case with two Fuzz Face pedals and a couple of wah wah pedals, and a bunch of coil type guitar cords---that was it. And with the racks of gear, and miles of pedals before them, today's players don't move me nearly as much---but I digress.

So...you may not have a connection to "Classic" "no chops" music of the past, but the players you listen too and admire cannot deny they do, and indeed would be nowhere without it, and in fact, would probably disagree with you.
Thus the challenge; go create something that will surprise us... You mite start wuth speling typs lessns.

[chris33AD]

Yfoiler...you make some excellant points. Fascinating about your time with hendrix gear. You on facebook?

[Yfoiler]

Nope, got tired of all the time FaceBook was taking up in my life...and for what? So... dumped my FB, Twitter, MSpace, etc. However, getting ready to possibly do a ReverbNation with my orchestral compositions. (East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra) I'm realistically at least 6 months out with that project. It's extremely time consuming trying to orchestrate realism.

BTW, re; The Doors... Way back in the ancient "classic times", me and my chums used to go to a club on Sunset Called "The London Fog" and for the price of two beers you could listen to them all night...ah...back in the day huh? Oh, also "The Lovin' Spoonful" played there too. This of course was way before either of them had their "hits".

[chris33AD]

So you used to see The Doors at the London Fog??? Any stories you can share???

[chris33AD]

"As an example, I equate today's "chop wise" players as being just like jugglers. Yeah, they woodshed forever learning one trick after another, just as a juggler starts out learning with three balls, then four, then five, then it's on to bowling balls and chainsaws! As a bass player myself, I laugh my ass off at the plethora of guys like Billy Sheehan who flamboyantly, and with admittedly GREAT JUGGLING skill, jump from one "trick" to another "trick" tying them all together with somewhat less than musical transitions....and 'today’s listeners' call that a solo. If your definition of a solo is simply one instrument stepping out front and playing, then I suppose it qualifies---but to me that is the sum of it's virtues."

LOL! I have the same theory about alot of blues-rock players around here who tie one classic blueslick to another, regurgitating all night. People are awed by this and seemingly know no better. Also I find it interesting that someone would think modern players have better "chops" than the "classic" players. Immediately I am reminded that Jeff Beck, as old as he is, is still kind of king of the hill and dangerous. Saw him at a rock hall of fame concert pretty much eat the other "modern" players alive. It was sad for those guys. They will think twice about getting on stage with him again. LMAO!
As for Hendrix versus the modern players...all I can say is that I have yet to hear ANY electric player better than Hendrix, period. there are a few innovative players out there, somewhat dangerous...I do enjoy some of Sonic Youth's work for their innovation and strange tunings. Too bad Hendrix didn't live to see some of that. Wonder what he woulda been thinking....???

[Clayphish]

Originally Posted by chris33AD

Just finished reading all this debate and spent about an hour sifting through Radiohead tracks...I personally can't even stomach the thought of attempting a comparison between the two groups. I've studied art rock most of my adult life and now pushing 50. To my ears the Doors are incredibly talented and masterful artists, all of them. But Jim was leading them AND us someplace we never went before. The guy was a phenomenal talent and comparing him to Yorke of Radiohead is truly sad.
I am aware of all the Radiohead hoopla and best-selling albums thing that goes on but not impressed whatsoever. Are they a good band, sure. Are they in the league of The Doors? No way, no how. I feel sorry for those on this post that have condemned The Doors. To those who are slamming Morrison here all I can say is I'm thankful I don't have your ears.

I hope you don't take this as an insult, but I think you maybe listening to radiohead from a close minded position. To me, they're just as unique, artistic and creative as the Doors. The only difference is, they're different bands with different talents and direction. If you haven't tried listening to the whole Kid A album or even Amnesiac or even just the Pyramid Song off that album you should. If that's not at the Doors level, then I don't know what is.

[chris33AD]

Listening to Pyramid song now...

[Yfoiler]

Originally Posted by chris33AD

So you used to see The Doors at the London Fog??? Any stories you can share???

Yep, sure did. But it wasn't memorable at the time. They were not famous yet. Just another Sunset Strip rock band, a good one, but just another band. Oddly enough I was more impressed and WAY into the sound of "Love" (Arthuer Lee - "My Little Red Book") that played at an underground (as in actually below street level) club in Hollywood called "The Bido Lido". Now THAT place was as hip as you could get in the Hollywood scene at the time.

The next thing you know, I'm a bass player in a rock band called "The Lamp of Childhood", and although we never opened for the Doors, we did CLOSE for them at the Mt. Tamalpais Music Fest up in San Francisco in 1967. Do you have any idea what it is like to follow the Doors who just finished their set with "Light My Fire"? Yeah... we were the "walk out" music!! Our only audience were the ones that were to hi to move! LOL. Then the next afternoon we had to follow "The 5th Dimension". They closed with "Up Up and Away" as a dozen or so Sky Divers parachuted into the venue with Red White and Blue smoke trailing from their boots... Yeah, we were the walk out music agian... Still, I wouldn't trade those kind of memories for ANYTHING!!! Gotta go catch a plane... More later and if interested, you can always PM me... Cheers!

[chris33AD]

I checked out Pyramid Song...it's nice and pleasant and all that but the only resemblance I hear to The Doors is the droning thing....it's like their attempt at producing their own The End....without the intensity or fire.
It just doesn't build and climax at all. The End is a dangerous piece of music, unpredictable and alluring. I can still remember the first time I heard it. The Pyramid Song is deep and lush but to my ears it's like a box of crackerjacks without the prize you dig for. Oops, they don't put prizes in Crackerjacks anymore either. LOL!
Just teasing...I'm glad someone took the time to point me to a specific Radiohead track to focus on but my ears just don't hear anything that moves me. My challenge to any others out there would be to put on
YouTube - Radiohead - Pyramid Song Radiohead Pyramid
and then go listen to
YouTube - The Doors - The End Doors End
and give me your opinions...
BTW I ALWAYS appreciate input...

[fonman]

Why spew opinion so boldly? I think some people in this thread actually believe their opinions weigh like facts.