Customer Reviews

Myth & Reality

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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?

The Doors: Myth and Reality is a virtually an audio supplement to Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek's autobiography, Light My Fire.

Myth and Reality covers the same ground as Manzarek's autobiography, from his Chicago childhood, stint in the army which includes the half hour he spent in the Saigon airport, his time at the UCLA film school, the creation of The Doors, and his life with Jim Morrison. What sets this apart from anything else Manzarek has done is his talking about how he worked up the original Doors songs. Demonstrating on a piano, Manzarek cites influences, plays a piece, add another influence, and then what The Doors added in creation, and it's almost like magic to hear the song come together recognizably as a Doors song. Manzarek has a real zest and enthusiasm for talking about creating the songs, he seems to enjoy the role of teacher and gone are the usual condescending undertones of his words. It truly is amazing to hear all the disparate elements that make-up a Doors song come together, and it's a rare experience for an artist of Manzarek's ability to let someone into the process of creating. This is a must have for anyone who is a fan and is interested in the musical influence of The Doors.

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.

Die hard Doors fan. This is your emancipation