Customer Reviews

Very Best of the Doors

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I was always a fan of The Doors. Not a Doors nut, and not so much a casual fan, either. But, casual fans of any band usually look for single-disc greatest hits packages to satisfy their desire to own a certain group. This disc is perfect for those people.

Up until about 5 years ago, the only greatest hits package that The Doors released was the two-disc "Best of". In the mid-90's, there was a single-disc enhanced Greatest hits disc. That disc satisfied my thrist for Doors music, but "The Very Best of The Doors" blows that (and all other previous Doors compliations) out of the water.

"The Very Best of..." satisfies all the criteria for what casual fans are looking for: 1 disc, digitally remastered songs, and 16 album-length songs. It has all the songs that "Greatest Hits" does (with the exception of 'The Ghost Song') and more. Also, it doesn't cost quite as much as the 2 disc set "The Best of..."

This disc also has some non-familiar songs, like "Twentieth Century Fox" and "Peace Frog", which are two of my personal favorites. I, personally, would've included "The Alabama Song" with this package, considering that there is some extra time remaining at the end of the disc, but I'm not too upset. Out of all the Doors' compliations (and there are many), this is the best one yet.

"The Very Best of The Doors" is a wonderful little compilation of some of the best songs by one of the most influential of all bands. The only problem is, it's not worth anything when you have the other version, the Canadian import available. This sucker is only 1 disc. The import, simply titled, "The Best of The Doors," is a two disc set packed with almost 19 tracks each. I don't see why the American release is so much weaker, they both even have the same covers with the exception that the letters here are red and those for the import are gray. It includes classics missing here like "When The Music's Over," "Soul Kitchen" and "You're Lost Little Girl." Still, I must be clear, for those STARTING to get into The Doors, this is a nice sample. The sound is incredibly superior to that of the original 1985 Best Of release and it includes some truly timeless pieces like "Light My Fire," "Break On Through," "People Are Strange," "Love Her Madly," "The Crystal Ship" and "Backdoor Man." The Doors have a unique, hypnotic and poetic style and this is a good showcasing of it. Here you get a basic idea of the band, it's music and the mythic rock icon Jim Morrison. But...if you want a better deal, purchase the Canadian import which was all the rage before this set was released to wider distribution (as in Wal-Mart, where even the tribute album, "Stoned Immaculate" is barely available). Whatever the case, these will always be great songs.

This is a great place to start if you are just getting started with the Doors, but for those of us who who are old fans this is just another "best of" package.
Let's take a look...
"Break On Through"-a staple of "greatest hits" packages since 1972's "Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine". This is a great addition also, because it doesn't have those annoying edits in the middle (Jim says "she gets high" on this disc but the others are edited to just "she get")
"Light My Fire"-another radio/greatest hits staple ever since "13" released in 1970(now out-of-print).
"People Are Strange"-another fan favorite since "13".
"Riders On the Storm"-long hailed as one of the band's signature "epics" this is another greatest hits staple.
"LA Woman"-the rorsach test of Door's fans: if you love this song, you'll love the Doors; if you hate it you're likley just a casual fan.
"Love Her Madly"-another popular tune-heard on "Forrest Gump" from the "LA Woman" album.
"Back Door Man"-a rare Doors' cover tune popular in concert and on greatest hits sets.
"Touch Me"-the only hit single from the "Soft Parade" album. Another radio/greatest hit.
"Hello,I Love You"-by far the most over-played Doors' song- and deservedly so.
"Love Me Two Times"-also very popular, a greatest hits favorite.
-up until this point the songs have been mostly staples of greatest hits discs and radio favorites, but this part is what makes this CD unique-
"Twentieth Century Fox"-a relitavely unknown song, this is its first greatest hits apperance, but also a great song.
"The Crystal Ship"-a great song that is also a nice change of pace, very psychadellic, very good.
"The WASP"-a nice addition to this set, a great example of Jim Morrison's better poetry put to music.
"Peace Frog"-a rare occurence on best of sets. Arguably the best track from "Morrison Hotel/Hard Rock Cafe" thankfully, however the semi-connected "Blue Sunday" was left off.
"The End"-here in all eleven minutes and fourty-four seconds of its glory, unlike the origional "Greatest Hits" disc which had the "Apocalypse Now" version.
"Roadhouse Blues"(live)- a great example of the Doors' onstage power. This is the edited version from a New York concert, on the "Box St" (on the un-edited version, Jim tells the audience that, "everything is ... up, as usual" right before the start.
This is, like I already said, a good starting point, but there were some questionable exclusions,as there were about 9 minutes left at the end of the disc here are some songs that were left out:
"When the Music's Over"
"Unknown Solidier"
"Ship Of Fools"
"Moonlight Drive"
"Roadhouse Blues"(studio version)
"Shaman's Blues"
"Waiting For the Sun"
"Spanish Caravan"
but still a good compilation!

This is an excellent collection, either as an introduction to The Doors (what would an introduction be without the drawn-out dark drama of "The End"?) or, for familiar fans, as an extremely adept selection of the group's greatest songs, just to crank up and enjoy. Finally, a Doors "Best Of" package with "Twentieth Century Fox" and its clever lyrics and rhythmic and musical hooks--it was worth the wait! The rationale for leaving that one out of previous packages had been the surfeit of brilliant songs on The Doors' sensational debut album from which to choose, but aside from "The End" and, of course, "Light My Fire," with the ineffable majesty of Ray Manzarek's organ solo and Robby Krieger's guitar solo, we still get the band's signature tune, "Break on Through"; "The Crystal Ship" and its compelling beauty; and, ever so much an emblem of Jim Morrison, the group's cover of Willie Dixon's "Backdoor Man" ("Soul Kitchen" unfortunately has to sit this one out). Alice Cooper has said that The Doors are the sexiest band he has known. The psychedelic eroticism of their first album glows eternally.

Fittingly, "L.A. Woman," the group's bluesy final studio album, is the next-most represented, with four songs. With, inter alia, the excellent title cut and Morrison's dynamic poetry of "The WASP," the group demonstrated that they had something left--indeed, a lot--just before Morrison passed away in 1971. But The Doors could always do the blues, witness their feisty classic "Roadhouse Blues" (the one live track included) and the hard-driving, compact "Love Me Two Times," so perfectly constructed in power and precision, one of my all-time favorite songs. Indeed, The Doors at their best could lay down either the most listenable pop songs or tracks that expressed their dark vision with musical conciseness and fluidity, no dross left in and no distortion, fuzz boxes, etc. The Doors and their unique sound are the best there ever was or ever will be.

Elektra continues to shove a great original square-peg band into a dime-a-dozen round-hole world of Best ofs and Very Best ofs. The Doors' consistently brilliant music soars and astounds, of course, but this repackaging does them no justice, especially under this title.

The album is dominated by tracks from the group's still-incredible first outing, but that means the other albums are more woefully neglected than ever. And which tracks are included? Excuse me? The Very Best of the Doors with no Unknown Soldier? The Very Best of the Doors with Twentieth Century Fox?

The latter track makes its first appearance on a Doors' compilation. While Elektra understandably wanted to include something not on the others, what a waste to pick a bopper song like TCF, while blowing the opportunity to include some of the band's neglected masterworks like Moonlight Drive and Wild Child.

The other big problem with this collection is that it's half of what the label offers Europe and Canada, a 38-track double-CD with the same cover, replete with an utterly mindless third use of the Best of the Doors title. This is the one, if any, that should get the Very Best moniker.

Some great music by one of the greatest bands, but more corporate idiocy from a once-great label that has long since outlived its artistic usefulness. Get the Canadian version if you want a good compilation.

this new compilation looks a lot like the others. it doesn't offer anything that the others didn't have (the exceptions being Peace Frog and WASP). they made sure to include the songs that everyone has heard, while neglecting essential classics like When the Music's Over (which was on the 1980's 2-disc comp), Moonlight Drive, and Soul Kitchen. This should not have been titled "The Very Best," and should be retitled "The Same Old Songs." For those who have never bought a Doors CD, this might be alright, but for the rest of us who have the same version of Light My Fire and Break On Through on 3 different discs, check out the Essential Rarities album. It is my hope that the remaining Doors stop making the same compilation over and over and release another CD with rare live performances.

This review refers to "The Very Best of The Doors" CD...

Yes! I love them madley! And if you do or know someone who does you'll love this CD. It's a great digitally remastered compilation of some of their greatest hits. It includes "Break on Through", "Light My Fire","Riders on the Storm", L.A. Woman" and "The End" among others. There are 16 tracks in all including the live "Roadhouse Blues"(see buying infor for complete list).

If you have just discovered "The Doors", maybe by seeing the excellent film by Oliver Stone, and you just can't get the music out of your head, this is a great album to start with. If you have been a longtime fan, or rediscovering them you may also want to check out another similar CD "The Best of the Doors".
It has a few more tracks and is a double disc. Many of the songs are the same, but each one has a few the other doesn't. So if you really love em, you might want to have one for home and one for the car. The double disc is quite a bit more expensive though.

The quality of this CD is excellent. Every sound is filtered through beautifully, even the rain in "Riders On the Storm" sounds great. It comes with a booklet that has some photos and some great biographical info on how the band formed and a little about some of the songs.

From your "L.A. Woman"..this is "The End"....enjoy...Laurie

If you love the doors, don't forget the film:The Doors (Special Edition)

This CD is awesome. It has all their hits, uncut, uncensored, and full-length. It also has some other noteworthy songs as well. For a single disc, it's pretty good. It can't compare to "The Best Of..." 2CD from '85, though. The Doors are awesome! Probably the most influential band of the late 60's. Forget the Beatles, cause Jim Morrison's in the house!

The Doors ceased being a functioning band many years ago. The combination of Jim Morrison (vocals), John Densmore (drums), Ray Manzarek (the signature keyboards), and Robby Krieger (guitar) made some wondrous music in their short time together, music that continues to live on. Albums such as "The Doors," "Morrison Hotel," and "LA Woman," among others, comprise a rich legacy.

This "greatest hits" CD is a nice compilation of their work. Of course, the sine qua non of Doors' music is the iconic "Light My Fire." However, no true fan of the group's music would stop there. Other memorable Doors' songs on this CD include: "The End" (listen to the words and the tortured family dynamics expressed!), "Break on Through to the Other Side," "Riders on the Storm," "LA Woman," "Back Door Man" (another song with great atmospherics), "Twentieth Century Fox," "The Crystal Ship," and so on. Any greatest hits work ought to portray a group's work in a way that illustrates its different sides and moods. And this CD does exactly that. The different sides of the Doors are well represented.

Of course, one could quibble over what is NOT presented. The weird but wondrous "Horse Latitudes" could easily have been represented on this CD. So, too, songs like "Maggie M'Gill" and "Soul Kitchen."

Nonetheless, all in all, this is a nice representation of the Doors' oeuvre. If a person wants a quick taste of The Doors, this is a good starting point.

This CD is awesome. It has all their hits, uncut, uncensored, and full-length. It also has some other noteworthy songs as well. For a single disc, it's pretty good. It can't compare to "The Best Of..." 2CD from '85, though. The Doors are awesome! Probably the most influential band of the late 60's. Forget the Beatles, cause Jim Morrison's in the house!