Search - The Doors :: Live at the Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance

Undoctored archive excellence

N. P. Stathoulopoulos | Brooklyn, NY | 03/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another top-notch Doors release from Bright Midnight Records, far more valuable than the umpteenth re-release of the studio albums. This one features the complete first show from the Aquarius Theater in LA on July 21, 1969. They've since released the second show as well, with a similar set list and the same soundboard quality (recorded with the same set-up as part of the Elektra Concert Series that year and also part of the Absolutely Live material).



Amazing how quiet it gets between tracks---were 60s crowds still that polite and well-behaved? There were eight total mikes used for recording, and two were devoted to the ambient and audience noise. You can listen closely and hear the audience shout requests and more during some songs. "Touch Me!" "Everybody shut up!" "Ssssshhhh!" The band never played with a set set-list, so they'd discuss what track to do next in between songs, leaving an interesting and tense gap in the show like they were very consciously holding the audience in suspense. One can tell how plagued they must have been hearing the same requests over and over and over from fandom's hit-lovers ("Light My Fire!")



The sound quality is about the same as the second Aquarius Show, also available in a 2CD set from Bright Midnight. Same set-up, same remastering, and best of all, it's complete and uncut, with no overdubs or trickery. The in-between noise, tuning and chatter are all kept and even given their respective tracks--it's the kind of thing obsessists insist on. Just right from the archives, no doctoring.



Highly recommended material, there is plenty of excellent live Doors material now officially available. More casual fans should check the playlists for each of these and decide what they want. The quality is generally excellent, professional soundboard, and the performances (on most of the material) is very strong. The band was only human, after all. Small snippets of these Aquarius shows were floating around on bootleg for years and years, but never in such good quality."

The "real" Doors!

Jack V. Riley | USA | 05/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A little pricey, but well worth it for the dedicated Doors' fan. Perhaps, not for everyone; a "must' for dedicatedThe Doors fan. Shipping and handling were prompt and fair. A+."

Outstanding!

Edward John Gross | Minneapolis, MN USA | 07/19/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Detroit show is so outstanding I didn't think anything would match up to it.

So when I recieved this I didn't have many expectations. I love it! The Doors are starting to make me believe they were the best live band of the era. The "Celebration of the Lizard" here is the best I've heard and worth the price of the CD;s.

"Light My Fire" is also outstanding, it's golden. The Doors hit their groove an hour into this show. Once in the groove it's heartstopping in it's brillance.

I loved the Doors from the June night in 1967 when I first heard the long version of "Light My Fire".

I'm coming to believe from listening to these recordings that there are no groups out there now that can match the perfection of the Doors live when they hit their groove. I'm glad I have this and it will enhance my life for years to come."