Other Voices / Full Circle

No Doors fan should miss this opportunity to pick up the final two studio albums remastered on a 2CD set for under a tenner. If you don't already know about these two albums, where have you been hiding? Being "buried" by the three surviving members for over 40 years, you might think they are terrible records, but they are anything but. Sure, the charisma and enigmatic presence of Morrison is sorely missed and the vocals are not in the same league as Morrison's original vocals as they lack that distinct personality but they're more than passable and just about get the job done. No one is going to hear any of these songs and ask "who is the singer, I must seek out more of their records" but taken apiece with the music the vocals blend in well. If anything I wish Ray and Robby had sung harmony together more. On their own the vocals are weak but together they do a fair job.Musically, these records are as good as the original six albums with Morrison. Yes, I did say that! If anything, with that dark brooding atmosphere now gone, the surviving members were able to further develop their music into different areas, specifically jazz. As a long-time Doors fanatic I consider these two albums an essential part of The Doors canon and nothing to be scoffed at or to feel awkward about.Lyrically there is little to compare with Morrison's poetic verse, true enough, but to dismiss these songs as trite and inert would also be a mistake. If anything there is more than a little playfulness and good humour in the lyrics. If I had to fault their stellar efforts to do the unthinkable, carrying on once their front man had exited the Earth, it would be that the lyrical concerns are quite dated when heard today, especially on Full Circle where the Age Of Aquarius ideals and statements have rendered the songs somewhat time-locked. Nixon had visited China recently and Ray's lyrical take on the East/West relations ("The Peking King And The New York Queen") is probably best forgotten.Given the incredible musicianship on display here, it might be difficult to ponder the reluctance to let these two albums be reissued until now. Well, my theory for this stance and the change witnessed today is down to Ray Manzarek's long-held belief that the legacy of The Doors should be tightly contained within the myth of Morrison himself. Ray spent several decades propagating the myth that Jim might still be alive and how Jim's (temporary) absence fed into the mysterious of The Doors music and aesthetic. Ray passed away 2 years ago and with his passing there has been a new light cast on The Doors inter-personal relationships. It's perhaps no surprise then that we now have these two albums reissued, which never were part of the Morrison era myths and legend.About time too!

After Jim Morrison had deceased (shortly after the release of L.A. Woman album) the remaining member of the Doors had few options, to go through with the band as a trio, as foursome with a new singer or not at all. They decided to soldier on under their own banner The Doors and delivered another two albums, before calling it quits. One wonders whether they did good to do so or should not have done this, without Jim Morrison who put his stamp on this band with his distinguish vocals, songwriting and live performances. Nevertheless, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek en John Desnmore were a part of the Doors either, and contributed as much as their singer to the sound which makes the Doors stand apart of other such acts. Besides being a great guitarplayer Krieger wrote many of the real Doors songs, like Light My Fire, which suited the voice of Morrison like a glove. Manzarek on piano, organ, and a lot of other stringed instruments, was responsible for most of the arrangements, and therefore the sond of the music, listen to Light My Fire to Riders on the Storm a see for your self, while Densmore was like Charlie Watts, a decent drummer, exactly what the group needed. So together they composed and recorded new music, and although the voice of Morrison is sadly missed it does not disappoint. True, Krieger nor Manzarek as singer are comparable to their former leadsinger, their voices (watch the first album title Other Voices) are far different but even so listenable. Krieger had already had his share as (background) singer on Runnin' Blue from the Soft Parade album while Manzarek sung lead on the Willie Dixon covers You Need Meat (an outtake of L.A. Woman sessions) and Close To You, a live take from Absolutely Live/In Concert, plus he stood in when Morrison failed to show up or was not fit enough to sing, i.e. the legendary concert in Amsterdam. On both of the albums, of which to me the first one is the strongest, there are plenty full of nice or even beautiful songs, It does not remind you of the Doors but is a pleasant listen. While with the Doors combining a bass piano or bass organ with his keyboardsplay, this time the band used different well known bassplayers to underline their musical talents. Not very uncommon though, they did this on all their earlier studio albums. In total this is a fine collection of well made songs, for anyone who likes good music, not for Doors fans only. Recommended!

2 crackin album's.....wow wot a cheap price 🤙.it a steel ,it a deal ,it the sale of the century....sure enough it lackin on vocals with out Jim...but .who could.. maybe garce slick..?....

What we have here are the 2 albums made after the death of Jim Morrison. They reveal a trio of excellent musicians, who just lack the ability to write anything decent in the way of lyrics. Many of these are at best trite and sometimes just plain embarrassing.You should treat these albums as a polite nod to the quality of the band as a backing band. I bought them out of curiosity. They are curious & nothing more.

Being a Doors completist felt I had to have these, but wasn't expecting too much. How wrong was I. Sure, they aren't the same without Morrison, but had he never existed you'd probably listen to these with fresh ears abd conclude that here is a damn good band, with some fine material and tremendous instrumental chops. Had Jim survived you could here him happily singing quite a few of the songs on here, and much of the material is equal or superior to that found on 'Soft Parade'. The CD mastering is great, too - a lovely, crisp round sound. Much to enjoy here, and a steal at the price.

Brilliant !! Good condition good value