Bright Midnight – Live in America

This album is the first in a series of six releases which will present a complete set of The Doors’ recorded live performances.

On this first 1969-70 issue such classics as ‘Light My Fire’, ‘Touch Me’, ‘Roadhouse Blues’ and an epic 16 minute version of ‘The End’ are included, as well as liner notes by Danny Sugarman and some grainy shots of the band live.

The recordings themselves are something of a revelation. It’s hard to imagine that a song like ‘Light My Fire’ could actually have sounded this ‘tinny’ live, yet it’s that very quality that makes this album special. You can almost smell the grass, the patchouli oil and the free love.

The version of ‘Roadhouse Blues’ is almost comical as an obviously twisted Jim-boy battles to the death with the song, coming a close second in the end. He must have been a frustrating bugger to work with, mind.

What’s also interesting about these live recordings is the influences the musicians display – a little country and bluegrass here, a steal of Rolling Stones or ‘Favourite Things’ there.

This is definitely a series that any serious Doors fan will want to have in their collection. For those, like me, who were always more fascinated by the era out of which this often wondrous music came, it’s a nice way to experience what it might have been like to be there. Warts and all.