Search - Ray Manzarek :: Myth & Reality

Present at the Creation

Jinkyu | 05/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ray Manzarek's spoken word story of himself and The Doors is quite thorough, with many good vignettes. In addition to putting a lot of emotion into their music, The Doors incorporated a lot of intelligence, and Ray supplies the background. Blues (and some jazz and classical) for Ray, film and literary (ranging from French literature/poetry to Beat poetry) for both him and Jim Morrison. Ray speaks in glowing terms of the old blues masters like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon (author of "Backdoor Man") and how they influenced him and The Doors. Contrary to Oliver Stone's portrayal, Jim Morrison graduated from UCLA Film School, but Ray's films did better during that time. This double CD does not provide a narrative treatment of the mainstream Doors years, which would be no novelty; there are selected very interesting stories about Jim, with no cheap sensationalism, and which by no means dominate. There is also much more, with occasional focus on the studio and the stage. As to Ray's account of Jim's death, is it clear what position he is taking--that is, is it myth or reality?"

Wonderfanterrifulastific

D. Smith | 01/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Die hard Doors fan. This is your emancipation"

Amazing

D. Smith | edinburgh, scotland | 11/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"if anyones ever read "ray manzarek; light my fire" they will know what a good story teller he is. it is alot like the book but with more. like his tiome in the army, as well as his spiritual ideas, and thoughts on the band. a "must have" for anyone interested in the doors."