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

The Doors At The Top Of Their Game

Carlos Rodriguez | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you have ever wondered what it was like to hear the Doors in a live concert setting on a very good night... look no further because this is it. The Doors recorded this amazing live set on July 21, 1969, four months after their infamous and notorious concert in Miami. What you get here is the Doors at their very best: pure, raw, unpredictable and musically perfect. The music was beautifully recorded and the sound quality is absolutely fantastic. Jim Morrison is in top form vocally on this show and Robby, Ray and John are equally in sinc backing Jim's alluring and appealing voice.



This is the second performance that I am reviewing as I have not listen to the first but I truly believe that the first performance is equally as great as this one (I will be getting it soon). Their is lots of great music on this double album and the renditions of "When The Music's Over", "Light My Fire" and "Little Red Rooster" are unlike I've never heard them before.

All three of these tracks are standouts but in reality the entire album stands on its own as a superb live album. There is also lots of great poetry which speaks for itself as in "The Celebration Of The Lizard" which is nice and long and Jim's speaking voice is as smooth and crystal clear as when he is singing.



The Doors Live At The Aquarius Theatre (both performances) are a must have if you're a fan of the Doors and even if you're not fan you will become one after you listen to this amazing album. The music recorded here is a testament of what Jim Morrison was capable of achieving as the lead singer of the Doors on a very good night when he had not been drinking or stoned. If you like the blues you will love this album specially as I said earlier in their amazing rendition of "Little Red Rooster" and another great blues song is "Mystery Train/Crossroads" which again Morrison sounds impeccably good.



This is the Doors at their very best live and you owe it to yourself to hear this legendary band at the peak of their musical powers. It's a shame that both of these concerts were not filmed. It would of been something to see Jim and the rest of the Doors performing so relaxed and comfortable as you can obviously hear from listening to the both CD's. This CD is pretty expensive almost $40 plus shipping but believe me is worth every penny as you will not be disappointed. Rhino records online is selling this album as well as the first performance for a lesser amount which is where I bought my copy. You can try Ebay as I have seen copies sell for less but make sure that they are the original pressing and not a bootleg copy in which the sound would not be very clear.



You must get this album now. As I said you will not be disappointed. This would make a great Christmas present to any fans of the Doors or to anyone who appreciates great, classic rock and blues music from one of the greatest and most legendary bands of all times THE DOORS."

Doors live at a small venue

Blues Bro | Lakewood, Colorado USA | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In preparation for what would become "absolutely live', the doors recorded some shows at their hometown. They were beautifully recorded, professionally and they sound absolutely great. Plus, these wre not recorded in a big stadium, but a small club in California. So you really get the felling of being right there, in front of the band. This concert is issued as it was, no overdubs, no edits, just like it was. The Doors was one of the best live bands in the 60's, not because they were polished, but the opposite, because you never knew what to expect, the band itself didnt know what Jim was going to do on stage. Forget about live Doors compilations, this is the real thing."

Hot Potatoes

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 10/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to many reports already Documented this Was not the First Concert Performed since Miami {Chicago, June 14th & Minneapolis, June 15th} Had come and gone without incident.



The Aquarius Theater Shows (2 Performed on July 21st & 1 Show from the 22nd of July) are regarded as The Door's definate "Comeback" performances. 1969 was a Year of Revolution in the US Culture, and to some on the Right, The Doors (Like John Lennon) were considered "Public Enemy Number One". It was Us against Them, in all the Best & Worst Ways that can be imagined.



These Shows were recorded on Multi-Track Tapes for a Live Album. There were no riots or arrests over the course of these Shows. Just very Good Playing by The Band and Some of Jim's Finest recorded Vocals. And because of that many have said that Jim was on a "Tight-Leash" here and played a Good Boy for these Shows. Well, according to Ray Manzarek, that did NOT happen, and Ray went on to say that if Someone had told Jim to watch what he said and did on the Aquarius Stage, it would have triggered him behave badly. We will never know Jim's take on this Story, BUT, he DID sing a bunch during these Shows and now we have 4 CD's as proof.



These two CD's are The Doors performining as a Band, with the Music coming first, and that for the listener is a very Good Thing. "Universal Mind" features Jim really singing well. A great "Gloria" is over 10 Minutes in length, and it's almost like 1966 all over again, this is a Band of Four Men and this is well give you a glimse into what the fuss was all about. When Jim takes a Left turn into Improv, Robby, John and Ray are right there with him {The Music plays The Band}.



There are a few Blues Numbers in the Set: "Little Red Rooster","Close To You" and "You Make Me Real" that on some Nights the Band just Cranks out without much life, but on these CD's they really shine. "Peace Frog" is a real treat, and not easy to find as a live version. "The Lizard" was not a big Favorite of mine when I first heard it on the Double Live LP, back in 1970, but it has grown on me as now I really think it's Cool.



Because, it's 2007 and we now are lucky enough to have Many Doors Concerts released on CD there is a lot to chose from. This Show will not be the Favorite for many, because it wasn't Front-Page news in all the Newspapers the next morning. Nobody died, nobody rioted, nobody got arrested. But at The Aquarius Theater, The Doors, PLAYED! There is 138 Minutes of their best Music on these Two CD's, it's not sedate or boring, but it sure is GREAT!

FOUR STARS !!!

"