Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The panultimate Doors experience., July 30, 2001
I'll admit, I don't really listen to my other Doors CD's that much anymore...but "An American Prayer" is an exception. Jim Morrison will be recognized as one of the most important (and certainly the most imitated) frontmen in the history of rock/pop music, and deservedly so...but as most knowledgeable music afficianados (Rob O'Connor need not apply) will tell you, Morrison was a great deal more. As compelling (and disturbing) as his lyrics were, it was with the medium of poetry that Morrison truly felt his place to be; his desire was to use popular music as a means of presenting his writing to a greater audience. Having three of the most talented and versatile musicians of the 1960's in his band certainly didn't hurt, and this as much as Morrison's own talents as a lyricist and indominitable charisma as a frontman helped to achieve this end. The reading that he gives on this CD (recorded on Morrison's birthday in 1970, I believe) is first rate. And though it must be allowed that Morrison probably never intended for musical accompanyment to be added to his words (this was done by the surviving Doors members years after his death), it was likely Schiller probably felt the same way at the time he wrote his "Ode to Joy"...and Beethoven's use of Schiller's piece in his 9th Symphony finale certainly can't be seen as a dilution of that work by any stretch of the imagination. Nor is the subsequent Doors instrumentation (as well as the addition of previously released music) to be seen as a lessening of the experience of "An American Prayer". This is an extremely well-conceived production; the music compliments Morrison's reading perfectly. Morrison himself reads in a soothing, engaging, and intimate manner (similar to Charles Bukowski's "Run With The Hunted" expanded CD session), and, if indeed he was "Stoned Immaculate" at the time of the recording, the clarity of his voice lays more to inspiration rather than inebriation. This CD finds all participants in finest form, and the result is an extremely natural progression of sound. This recording may be considered "spoken word" due to its vocal delivery (and as such is unsurpassed by Bukowski, Henry Rollins, William Burroughs, or anyone else to whom I've compared it), but as with the work released by the Doors as a band, the music here is not to be underestimated. This recording was well ahead of its time, and in my opinion represents the Doors as Morrison had intended them to become through an evolution he was unfortunately unable to see through; I believe he would have approved of this work, and I can't recommend it enough, either to fans of poetry, music, and of life itself.
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32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tommy who?, April 2, 2004
Crimson and clover? Why don't you compare Wayne Newton to Primus? Anyways, this review isn't a bash; it's my feelings about the album. First of all "American Prayer" isn't an album that you just pick one or two songs off of to listen to, it's a story, similar to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," "The Wall," or Neilson's "The Point." And similar to those in that it is best enjoyed relaxing on your couch, following the inebriant of your choice. It also is great for long road trips at night, but I prefer to have my eyes closed when listening to it. Jim's poetry is raw and vibrant and conjures up images of the movies The Doors and Natural Born Killers. The background music adds to the poetry like the sense of smell does to taste. As a second generation door's fan, my view of this album may be slightly nostalgic, but listening to it, for me, is like a vivid dream that captures something reminiscent of Manson's views of the 60's. It's filled with intenseness of peaking on window pane (LSD, for the sheltered) and the spacey philosophical ranting that accompany its come-down. This album is art and contains all the passion and skewed visions of the artist. I would compare this album to something like sushi; at first it may sound repulsive to some, but if given a chance you may start to crave it. If this doesn't sound like your spicy tuna roll, then maybe you can go back to mind-numbing, sticky-sweet pop music and other mass media produced nausients, and leave interpretation of art to someone else. Okay, it is kind of a bash.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jim Speaks!!!!! Super CD!!!, March 27, 2001
This is a fantastic collection of poetry, stories, and songs. This CD takes the listener into the mind of Jim Morrison. The listener will definitely be pleased to hear Jim's poetry and his short stories because they are the essence behind the genius of Jim Morrison. The opening poem, Awake (Ghost Song); which leads into a story about a tragic accident on a highway, that takes us to the lyrics of "Peace Frong / Blue Sunday" is an artistic arrangement that gives us an idea of how and where Morrison got his ideas and inspirations. Jim's recital of "An American Prayer" sent goose bumps up my arm. The CD also features bonus tracks that were not included on the vinyl version. "Bird of Prey" givers us a chance to listen to Jim's wonderful singing voice acappella. There is a "negative side" to this CD. It is full of vulgarities. So, if the listener is sensitive; he / she might get offended. And, indeed, I can see where this vulgarity can get silly -- such as Jim's "Ode to my C**k." Other than that, this is a first rate CD that every Door's fan should purchase. The original music for this CD -- composed and performed by the Doors -- is a definite plus, although Jim wanted to make a poetry LP without music. In the case of this CD, the Door's music does help. This is a great CD to own. I promise that you will listen to it more than once. It is that good.
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