Record Reviews

DOORS ~ LIVE AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 1970 EAGLE 5051300209124 (Barcode: 5051300209124) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2017 This is an archival album by the iconic American Rock group The DoorsFind albums by this artist, which presents the group´s performance at the Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 (August 26th to 31st) on August 30th as a combo CD/DVD set. The CD and DVD contain identical set list of seven tracks, the last of which is a four song medley, and the DVD offers also a bonus interview video piece called "This Is The End". The audio and video material was meticulously remastered. Slightly less than a year after the Woodstock Festival (August 15th to 18th 1969) the Isle Of Wight had a monstrous, estimated as over 600,000 strong attendance and was the biggest gathering of Rock enthusiasts, freaks and dreamers of the period, with an impressive list of performing artists. As far as The Doors are concerned, this is the last video footage of the group performing live. Less than a year after this concert Jim MorrisonFind albums by this artist would be dead and the brief career of one of the most important Rock groups ever would be tragically over. The Doors´ concert at the Isle Of Wight was definitely not their most impressive, moving or spectacular live performance. The group was already suffering from many problems linked to Morrison´s legal, drug related and mental problems and their career was rapidly deteriorating. Nevertheless everything The Doors played was still among the best Rock music ever made on this planet, and they were always completely different from any other Rock group that ever walked the earth. Morrison was a poet, a dreamer and an extrovert extremist, while keyboardist Ray ManzarekFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robby KriegerFind albums by this artist and drummer John DensmoreFind albums by this artist collectively were one of the most solid and virtually unlimitedly talented instrumental trios in Rock history. As a result every one of the many live recordings by the Doors is completely unique and worth being heard, as is this one. The video material shows Morrison almost completely motionless and paralyzed in comparison to his earlier on stage theatrics, which to people who saw him live (in person or on film) is truly tragic. But in spite of the obvious somber atmosphere, the music is still very much biting and kicking, as always, and the fire is still there. Overall this album is primarily interesting for the video footage, since musically it offers quite a "standard" Doors set, close to a "best of" selection. The extended instrumental performances on "Light My Fire" are always a great showcase of Manzarek´s and Krieger´s chops, and being basically improvised differ significantly from one performance to another. For the many Doors followers this is as essential as any other live recorded performance by the group and an important piece of the puzzle of their musical legacy. For casual listeners this is perhaps somewhat less impressive than their other live offerings, which are numerous.

Updated: 01/07/2018Posted: 01/07/2018

DVD+CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER ~ LIVE AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 1970 SANCTUARY 085 (Barcode: 5050749208521) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock The IOW Festival was ELP’s only second gig, which again proves that some groups can be an instant success. Their debut album was to be released only three months after this performance was recorded, but obviously they had their act together already and enough material for at least two albums. The set includes a 35+ minutes long rendition of “Pictures At The Exhibition” and the other tracks come from the debut ELP album and Emerson’s Nice heritage. The performance is truly electrifying, with the 19 years old Palmer brilliant technique and wonderful sense of rhythm in full bloom. Emerson switches between classical and jazz with ease and elegance and everybody seems to have great fun. I must be a sucker for the early days of all the big Prog bands (rather that the later days) and this is for me definitely the best live ELP recording ever, as it is void of any pomposity and artificial grandeur which would haunt the group in later days. The sound quality is surprisingly good and this is definitely an ELP album to have. As bonus, a 15 minutes interview with the band is added, which gives a lot of insight about their early days.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend