Customer Reviews

The Doors Live in Philadelphia '70

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've heard and enjoyed one other unedited Doors performance: Live in Detroit. That show is great but includes Manzarek singing a few numbers... a fairly mediocre interlude in an otherwise great show. This Philadelphia show is all Jim. They had a fairly interesting set list in Philadelphia as well including "Wake up!" as a prelude to "Light my Fire", they cover "Carol", and they do "The Universal Mind", more. The show opens with "Roadhouse Blues" and they return to that number near the end of the show.

Nice!Yet,another never-before-released archive live performance from the Doors.This time,a show from their 'Morrison Hotel' tour,in 1970.Put out on the surviving member's own label,Bright Midnight.Get a copy of this CD only if you're a big fan of live albums(like myself).Sound quality here is great.It's simple:IF you're a true Doors fan,you'll dig this disc.Tracks that were most fun to check out were "Roadhouse Blues","When The Music's Over","Wake Up","Light My Fire","Maggie M'Gill"(don't remember this one)and the encore "Soul Kitchen".Also enjoyed hearing where the announcer was trying to get the rowdy crowd to simmer down.Major upside:this concert appears to be completely uncut.Love it when bands of days gone by put out releases as such.A must-have.

This was one of the Doors last concerts. Philly mayor (at the time), Frank Rizzo, said there'd be no trouble in "his town", refering to the recent trouble Jim had in St. Louis. This disc documents one of the most momentous shows ever. It was at the infamous Spectrum and you couldn't even cross the street to the venue without first showing your ticket and walking through a guarded maze of security (mounted police). Mr. Rizzo kept order but Morrison & Company delivered the good inside. How about the opening acts: Blues Image and The Staple Singers! If you were at the show, this will be priceless. Even if you were not, this captures one of the most energetic, electric concerts ever held! "Philadelphia, the Music capitol of the world", Morrison said as he looked out over the throng at the Spectrum. Yeah, that's even on here!

I liked it very much,principally because I'm a Doors' fan but being a little more severe we can hear a more quiet Morrison,for example,he never talks to the audience like he used to do before,I think he is aware of the troubles he had had before,specially in the Miami concert.So,the result is great music but something is missing,all the fuzz that Jim used to do in other concerts before.But,on the other hand,the musicians,Ray,John and Robby,can concentrate more on the music and we can appreciate this along the whole concert.Also,I think that Jim's voice is a little bit tired,probably due to all the "excess" in life he had before.However,if you are a Doors' fan you must buy it.And if you are not,you can enjoy good music but I would recommend better other live records like for example "Absolutely live" or "Alive she cried" or "Live in Stockholm"(it is difficult to obtain).One thing is certain:Doors is one of the best rock'n'roll bands of the sixties....

This performance, as stated by other reviewers is definatly not the best available on the Bright Midnight label. It's not even the entire recorded concert; i.e. it's missing the dialogue parts that were used from that show in Absolutely Live. It's missing the first part of the announcer's intro (which can be found as the first track on A.L.) and it's also missing Jim's "Hey Philadelphia... do you feel alright?" rant that came after Mystery Train (found at the end of track 1 on A.L.). I'm not sure why these pieces of dialogue were not included, especially because the opening part of the announcer's commentary is probably the most famous thing from this show "The fire marshall won't let this show go on unless you make isles." But, on the whole, it's not a bad show if you are into straight renditions of the songs. Would recommend the Detroit and Aquarius shows first.

Great Sound, and this has to be one of my favour The Doors Live Albums.
not only because got songs that I never hear before live but also the sound is outstanding and the Band's played so well that concert.

If you are truly interested in expanding on your Doors collection with some of their live recordings you should probably begin elsewhere. This album should only be seen as a last resort to those who might be experiencing some sort of Doors withdrawal, as the vast majority of listeners will find little use for it. It's the Doors on an off-night. It even says so on the liner notes. They are sloppy and tired and uninspired. They sound like they could nod-off at anytime, and the listener will feel the same way after sitting through it. You're better off sticking with the Earth-shatteringly great Aquarius Theater shows or the life-altering Cabo Hall show. Those were really electrifying performances that deserved to be heard, and they were released via the Doors' `Bright Midnight' label, and I applaud the Doors and their organization for delivering these shows in an honest, unaltered way so we fans can get a taste of what the shows were really like at the time. I can understand that with the limited number of professionally recorded live Doors material in existence that there should be an attempt to get this historic material into the hands of the diehard fans. But honestly, for entertainment value, this show from Philly is lackluster and dull, even for someone who is a Doors-fanatic. It's a complete disappointment, except for the sound quality, which is top notch.

Of course, it is a concert of much historic value. I suppose it's important to see the Doors at both their best and at their "not-so-best". Take my word for it. There are better officially-released Doors shows to choose from out there. Save this one for last, if at all.

I'll break down and still give it 3 stars based on presentation, sound quality, and historical value, but as a concert performance it's probably more like a 2. Check out the other 'Bright Midnight' releases to hear the Doors at a 5 star level.

Being a long-time dedicated Doors fan, I always look forward to each and every Live Concert CD that is released from this band, and especially considering that they only released 6 studio albums.

Live in Philadelphia has a solid mix of songs that this band usually likes to play in a concert setting.

Unlike for some other cities, Jim wasn't drunk for this performance. This is also probably why he did not stray too far away from the script. Notwithstanding, Jim still gives an enjoyable performance; in fact, any chance to listen to Jim live is an enjoyable experience.

Robby, John, and Ray all give a solid and wonderful performance; always complementing Jim perfectly.

As always, if you are new to this band, try one of their studio albums or "best of" collections first. Otherwise, what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy of Live in Philly.

To be short and sweet...the 1st disc is really good,great performances and a rare ship of fools really pleases.

The second disc has a very rare gem 'Maggie McGill' and Soul Kitchen is performed well.The whole 2nd disc is good accept tracks 3 and 4....Jim had run out of steam for those tracks...When I play that disc I skip those tracks,and all is well.

A worth while purchase for Doors fans.

I looked forward to this live release and I picked this one because I liked the setlist and I was eager to hear how Jim sounded amidst the happenings in his personal life at that time. I was pleasantly surprised by the mood of this album. When the announcer was trying to get everybody in their seats in the beginning of Side One, I thought "What exactly did I buy here?" I actually found that comical. "Our hair is just as long as yours man!" Classic! When the Doors came on though, it was all business and the tracks sound great. The standouts include "Roadhouse", "Mystery Train", "When The Music's Over, "Wake Up" into "Light My Fire" and on side two: "Carol" into "Soul Kitchen". If you're a new Doors fan, dig this album because it gives you a feel of a good live Doors jam. The musicianship of the band is right on and you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended!