Search - Doors :: Waiting for the Sun

Remixed!!???!!! - Yep, that's the whole point.........40th A

R. Murray | Oakland, CA | 04/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK.....What we have here is a failure for some folks to have done their homework. This is the 40th Anniversary "remix" of Waiting for the Sun. It's supposed to be a bit different from the original. In fact ALL of the Doors studio albums have been not only remastered, but remixed. Bonus tracks added as well. If you want the Doors sounding like the albums you grew up with, then pick up the last set of remastered CDs from 1999. If you want killer sound quality, bonus tracks and a new take on these classics pick the 40th Anniversary mixes on Rhino/Elektra. If you're a big fan like me, you'll have them both. At any rate, these editions are great! They are the same you would have gotten if you bought the "Perecptions" box set (no DVD 5.1 mixes here or video content though). Don't be bummed out, just shop wisely and enjoy!! Once again, these editions are a must for longtime fans."

Much Better Sound And Quality Than Ever Before.

Mr. Fellini | El Paso, Texas United States | 12/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hardcore Doors purists have been making quite a fuss over Bruce Botnick's "remixing" of the entire band's catalogue. However, the structure of the songs has not been changed at all, and the production is more akin to what was done in the "Elvis 30 #1 Hits" package, the songs have been literally remixed from their ORIGINAL elements for a much superior sound quality to any previous releases. The work done on "The Doors" and "Strange Days" brought those albums back to life with great energy and complete sonic coverage, the same effect is replicated here with the band's third release, "Waiting For The Sun." Although The Doors have always been known for the excellent quality of their packages, which has been superior to even some Beatles and Hendrix releases, there were still limitations in terms of volume and stereo mixing, all fixed here. There is good reason for fans to be skeptical, when Iggy Pop attempted the same experiment with "Raw Power," the result was an album that was sharper, but sometimes overblown on the volume levels, here Botnick and his team have achieved a great sonic feat by bringing songs back to life, giving them full stereo coverage, and setting them at a volume level that can finally compete with contemporary releases. So why am I not giving it the full five stars? The sound quality is great, but as an album "Waiting For The Sun" was never one of the Doors' strongest moments. Like "The Soft Parade," it has some excellent songs, but it never feels like a whole, complete work. There are still some classics here that sound just as timeless as ever, including "Hello, I Love You" which here shines with sharper instruments and keyboards, "Love Street" remains a tender ballad and "My Wild Love" is a wicked accapella. One of the best remixes here is "Summer's Almost Gone," here Botnick has managed to bring the drums back to life as well as Jim Morrison's vocals and Robby Krieger's dreamy slide guitar, this is the best the song has ever sounded. "Not To Touch The Earth" is a great, gothic epic that pounds harder here. "The Unknown Soldier" is a strong anti-war protest fitting for our times. "Five To One" rocks harder here, with Morrison's menacing, half-drunken soothsaying on the end of Flower Power. The other tracks of course sound better, but nothing can save a bad song. "Wintertime Love" is just lame filler and "Yes, The River Knows" is a sappy ballad Morrison's doesn't feel comfortable singing. The extras on this disc are not as appealing as the previous two albums' offerings. Here we get three needless takes of "Not To Touch The Earth," "Adagio In G Minor," which is already available on "American Prayer." Morrison's epic, ditched poem "The Celebration Of The Lizard" is included here, but it isn't much of a find anymore considering that yes, this has already been released in a previous set. The Doors remain one of rock's great revelations, and Morrison's theatrical, lyrical legacy is timeless, these remixes do justice to the music. A must for fans, purists should open their ears instead of closing them."

Different but Still Great!

Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 07/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this new version of "Waiting for the Sun" to get a studio-version of the legendary unreleased song "Celebration of the Lizard". Obviously the strongest part of the song is, what was released on the original album as "Not to Touch the Earth", and the track is what it says, "a work in progress". Still interesting moments. The other takes of "Not to Touch the Earth" which are included as bonus-tracks have made me realize how good a song this really is.



What surprised me the most when I listened through the album was that I thought it sounded different. Was it really that long since I last heard it? I did not realize that the album had been both remastered and remixed. I guess it will take some time to get used to these new "versions" - but the sound is really crisp and clear, and if I want to hear the old mixes I can always return to the originals.



The original album contains some the Doors' most poetic and melodic moments like "Yes, The River Knows", the exquisite "Love Street" , which is one of the highlights of the album. The moving "Summer`s Almost Gone". "Wintertime Love" and "Spanish Caravan" are other highlights.



"Not to Touch the Earth" and "Five to One" : Classic Doors !!!

The hit singles "Hello I Love You" and "The Unknown Soldier" may not have aged as well as the rest of the album`s songs. Except of course the weak "My Wild Love" which probably always will annoy me."