Multiple Reissues 40th Ann. L.A. Woman In November

[darkstar3]

Ultimate Classic Rock
by: Matt Wardlaw
5 days ago (July 1 2011)

THE DOORS PLAN MULTIPLE 40TH ANNIVERSARY ‘L.A. WOMAN’ REISSUES

Rhino Records will delve further into the legacy of the Doors with a 40th anniversary reissue of the classic ‘L.A. Woman’ album set for release in a variety of configurations in November.

Casual fans can scoop up the basic two-CD reissue featuring the original album with liner notes from Rolling Stone’s David Fricke and album producer Bruce Botnick, and a second disc of alternate versions of songs from the album, previously unreleased, with studio chatter from the band.

A vinyl edition that is being described as “an alternate take on ‘L.A. Woman,’” will also be made available featuring only the alternate versions of the album as described above, pressed onto 180 gram vinyl.

For digital tech hounds, an associated app for multiple platforms will be released featuring extensive editorial content from Fricke, Botnick, and many others. Rhino says that the app will “tell the story of the dynamic creative process leading up to the album, its recording, and release.”

The expected “super-deluxe” CD edition of the set delivers four CDs of material incorporating some of the editorial content from the app, plus additional photos, studio outtakes and banter.

‘Mr. Mojo Risin’’ adds a documentary component to the global reissue campaign, with exclusive interviews from Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger and related Doors associates. Scheduled for an October release via Itunes and also DVD/Blu-ray, the documentary features exclusive performances and “extensive examination” of the original multi-track recording tapes with producer Bruce Botnick.

Rhino promises a “series of special announcements, media exposure and commemorations” that will lead up to the November release date for the ‘L.A. Woman’ re-releases.

ultimateclassicrock.com/the-doors-l-a-woman-reissue/

[wplj]

So, darkstar and TheWallsScreamedPoetry ... what are your thoughts on this multi-format release? Please ... hold nothing back!

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

I do object to the notion that Sara and I are some kind of ranting lunatics as we both think very deeply about this band and generally our comments are backed up by more than a modicum of facts rather than some insane ramblings.

As far as this release is concerned it must be pointed out that the Doors party line with regards the extras on the 40th anniversary LAW was that there were no out takes from LAW so therefore what you got was all there was.

It's pretty obvious that this material was withheld to compile a 40 year LAW release and that The Doors did what they usually do in these situations and lied.
The idea that this LAW material was suddenly discovered just in time for the LAW 40 year anniversary is quite frankly laughable.

The Doors have repeatedly told lies about out take material and constantly regurgitate these albums with rare tracks mysteriously lost but discovered in time for a release.

Most Doors fans are sheep who bleat endlessly for these kind of things to be released and then simply feed the bank accounts of these three liars and their idiot manager.

LAW must be the most released Doors album and since the 2000 release of the DVD version with the extra verse on CHBMW the out take material has been leaking out.

As long as the sheep mindlessly purchase this stuff Jampol and his employers will exploit them. I look forward to the release as I always am interested in this material but I will not give The Doors one cent.

Too many Doors fans seem to lack the guts to express their opinions on The Doors world so it will be interesting to see you and the handful of others who post get involved in the cornucopia of interesting threads and discussions on this site!

[darkstar3]

Jul 11, 2011 11:15:39 GMT wplj said:

So, darkstar and TheWallsScreamedPoetry ... what are your thoughts on this multi-format release? Please ... hold nothing back!

This compilation has not been released yet so I will save my comments for after I listened to it. That said, what do I think about the release in general?

Considering all of the best of releases, the promises of a downloadable "live" show site on the Official Forum that never materialized, the box set (1997)-Legacy, The Cube, Essential Rarities, Platinum Collection, The Doors Rarities, Complete Studio Recordings, Obey The Doors, Perception, Absolute Best Of, Love, Death and Travel, and least we forget all of the re-releases on of the Studio albums. Add all of these up and there isn't a single release that isn't basically the same tracks previously released on other albums. You may get one or two outtake tracks on an album which is why it is tagged "rarities" but that's the history in a nutshell of Doors releases.

So what do I think of the releases of the past...I stopped buying "new" Doors releases in 1997 when I put out almost $100 for the box set. Now days I buy used stuff because the Doors Camp can't collect royalties on used products.

Do you know the Matrix CD release story? That made news a while back in the Doors world.
www.amazon.com/Live-At-Matrix-Doors/dp/B001GQO50I/ref=sr_1_36?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394073&sr=1-36

Don't take my word for it, read some of the reviews from other fans that can be found on Amazon:

Love Death Travel (Ltd 2500 copies)
www.amazon.com/Love-Death-Travel-Doors/dp/B000NABBBY

The Very Best Of The Doors
www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Doors-US-Version/dp/B000UCEJDC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310393888&sr=1-1

Perception (6CD/6DVD, Boxset)
www.amazon.com/Perception-6CD-6DVD-Boxset-Doors/dp/B000ILYYJE/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310393888&sr=1-3


The Best Of The Doors by The Doors
www.amazon.com/Best-Doors/dp/B000002H22/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310393888&sr=1-7

Future Starts Here: The Essential Doors Hits
www.amazon.com/Future-Starts-Here-Essential-Doors/dp/B0010DJ174/ref=sr_1_16?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310393974&sr=1-16

Collection
www.amazon.com/Collection-Doors/dp/B0052FG750/ref=sr_1_22?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394004&sr=1-22

Legacy: Absolute Best
www.amazon.com/Legacy-Absolute-Best-Doors/dp/B0000AINOJ/ref=sr_1_24?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394004&sr=1-24

Absolutely Live
www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Live-Doors/dp/B000002HNR/ref=sr_1_25?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394073&sr=1-25

The Doors (180 Gram Vinyl)
www.amazon.com/Doors-180-Gram-Vinyl/dp/B0028ER4QE/ref=sr_1_29?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394073&sr=1-29

L.A. Woman [Gold CD, Limited Edition, Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered] ($379.00)
www.amazon.com/L-Woman-Doors/dp/B00000016V/ref=sr_1_34?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394073&sr=1-34


Other Voices & Full Circle + 3 Bonus-Tracks (DIGI-PACK)
www.amazon.com/Other-Voices-Circle-Bonus-Tracks-DIGI-PACK/dp/B004IFHEKM/ref=sr_1_35?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394073&sr=1-35

Doors Box Set
www.amazon.com/Doors-Box-Set/dp/B000002HRA/ref=sr_1_37?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394255&sr=1-37

The Doors - Greatest Hits [Elektra]
www.amazon.com/Doors-Greatest-Hits-Elektra/dp/B000002HO5/ref=sr_1_43?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394290&sr=1-43

Complete Studio Recordings
www.amazon.com/Complete-Studio-Recordings-Doors/dp/B00002NDBC/ref=sr_1_50?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394376&sr=1-50

The Doors Vinyl Box [180 Gram Vinyl] ($302.00)
www.amazon.com/Doors-Vinyl-Box-180-Gram/dp/B000LRY9P4/ref=sr_1_51?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1310394376&sr=1-51





Jason, what's your thoughts on this new LA Woman release? Are you going to buy it?

[wplj]

I probably will buy it, but I will wait until I am well informed about it before I do ...

What was Obey the Doors? Never heard of that one ...

Also ... Are you guys familiar with stevehoffman.tv?

It's a music forum run by mastering engineer Steve Hoffman. Pretty vocal segment of Doors fans on there ... and they are also not pleased with the way the Doors do business as of late (ie: last 15 years or so). However, I don't know if you were aware that Jampol plans on deleting the remix CDs in the next couple of years and reissuing the original mixes, mastered by Mr. Hoffman.

I know you would most likely scoff, but I would (just for myself) give those issues a chance as I do not own any of the original mixes (remember I just recently got back into the Doors and can't be bothered to pay for/hunt down stuff even if it can be found nicely used ... also ... the singer in my Doors trib band just shares his shit with us, so I have been brought up to speed on most all BMA releases, etc. The rest I purchased on CD or iTunes). Steve Hoffman's work is well regarded in the audiophile world; he mastered the Gold DCC and Audio Fidelity CD reissues of the catalog. Strange that he's gonna do new masterings on standard CD (supposedly), but I may get them as it will surely be cheaper than what used copies of his DCC discs go for on the used market. I can attest that his work is very good ... I used to own his masterings of Cream's Wheels of Fire and Fresh Cream. Stupidly sold them in college. Have regretted it ever since. They blew all other versions away, sonically.

Anyway ... I am indeed sceptical about the new LAW release. No tracklist has been put out yet ... I think DMC are AFRAID to do so until the last possible moment, ha ha! Probably substandard alternates punctuated with studio chatter laced with Jim burping and farting. This whole 4CD version and app thing really puzzles me as well. How much of this will be actual MUSICAL audio content?

So, that's my thoughts ... Whatcha think?

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

Yes well aware of who Steve Hoffman is and what he does and why would we scoff at his remastering of the original tapes.
It's not the music I get annoyed at simply the way they regurgitate the same old stuff time and again.

If Hoffman could make a noticeable improvement to the original mixes I would give it a listen.

One of our members here a few years back remastered Other Voices and Full Circle in his home studio from a pristine copy of the vinyl and made a hell of a difference to the sound.
Also aware of Jampol's plans as he said just that on the LL ages ago.

But surely the original mixes have already been remastered as far as possible by Botnick for the 40 year anniversary mixes?
I am not a music engineer and do not understand the intricacies of remastering music tracks but the sound difference between the 40 year mixes and the original vinyl is pretty astounding.
I just don't see what Hoffman can do to improve that.
I have not heard the Gold DCC and Audio Fidelity CD and was not aware they had been released yet.
How far can this be taken before it begins to spoil the spirit of what was recorded in 1966 t0 1970.
I have heard a lot of remixed music this last ten years and some works some doesn't. I thought the Doors 40 year mixes worthwhile but am not sure if it is worth going further than that without losing the essence of the band and the muse that was behind it in the first place.
Of course I would listen but dunno if I would be that impressed.
Just because it can be done does not always mean it should be done.

Obey The Doors

[wplj]

I only meant you might scoff at the fact that the 6 Morrison-era Doors albums would be reissued ONCE AGAIN!

But, I guess that shouldn't suprise anyone at this stage!

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

If there was a good reason for such a release I would say 'fine'.
Such as the 40 year releases which gave us a really good sound improvement.
But this LAW release is a fraud. These people held back the out takes from the 40 year reissues to cash in on 40 years of LAW.
It's a con and the level of lies these three and since he came on board the idiot manager have told is incredible.
The Doors are a laughing stock in the rock world for releasing endless Best Of albums and this kind of remastered effort.
Other band do this but they don't do it to the level The Doors do it.
LAW out takes did not exist when the 40 year remaster came out but suddenly they find a whole disc worth to add to the 40 year of LAW album.
It's not the amount of reissues with me it's the lies these morons tell.
My fave band are a bunch of greedy liars and that saddens me.
I don't begrudge them being rich simply the way they treat the fans.

[wplj]

I agree with what you say re: the level of reissues ...

Did you like the 40th Anniversary remixes? Did you think they were an improvement on the original mixes?

Some of the 40th Ann. mixes I quite enjoy, the first album and most of WFTS, in particular, also Soft Parade. I HATE the remix of Morrison Hotel. Way too much digital reverb and adding parts that had no business being there in the first place (ie: Jim's horrible harmonica at the beginning of Roadhouse Blues being brought too far up in the mix).

I could go on ...

Ultimately, it's the music. The music is great and always will be. Just such a shame they have to treat their fans this way in regards to how they re-issue/re-package their stuff.

How do you feel about RK and RM touring/playing with sound-alike Jims? I don't begrudge them that ... as a musician, ya gotta play ... if they wanna play that stuff and people want to hear it, I say good for them; go do it. How they go about it (ie: the D21C fiasco) may be questionable, but I have no prob. with them going out and playing music. Musicians gotta eat, too! (Not that these guys go hungry, but I think you know what I mean ...)

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

I enjoyed them to be honest.
I liked all six albums.
Compared to the vinyl and original CD they were a quantum leap in sound. I don't mind even Morrison's bad harp playing.
But I doubt very much there can be a meaningful improvement on that. By which I mean I don't doubt they can improve it but question the point of doing it.

As far as that karaoke tribute band goes I wish them nothing but ill will and utterly detest the two arceholes who swiped my fave bands name and still today advertise themselves as The Doors.

I am sure they claim ignorance of this but they did the same during the trial and the judge called them liars.

I could not give a rats ass that any of these three have been playing Doors tunes this last 40 years and that was NEVER my argument against these two tosspots. Neither was it Densmore and the families argument.

They stole my fave band and tried to sell it with useless substitutes for 150 dollars a shot.

They are a pair of thieves, hypocrites and liars and as far as they go as people they can go fuck themselves in my eyes.
As musicians and Doors I love those two guys but as people they are lowlife scumbags.

Too much done and said to ever change that I am afraid.

[wplj]

Do they still advertise themselves as "The Doors?" I must confess ignorance on this ...

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

They were for the Russian gig on both poster and ticket.
Last year the posters for Wolverhampton said The Doors.

[darkstar3]

I have the 'Strange Days' and 'LA Woman' 'Gold' CDs that were issued in 1992. Bought them at Tower Records. I think they were like $30.00 a piece.

I must confess that they do have better sound quality than the original cd releases but I saw a few copies for sale on Amazon recently and the price they are asking now days is certainly not worth it. Save your money.

[darkstar3]

Jul 12, 2011 13:43:34 GMT TheWallsScreamedPoetry said:

They were for the Russian gig on both poster and ticket.
Last year the posters for Wolverhampton said The Doors.

Ticket for the Russian Show July 7 2011

[wplj]

OK, then that's rubbish ... Still ... get out and play, but be honest with yr. audience. Guess they're not capable of that. Shame.

[wplj]

Jul 12, 2011 14:12:54 GMT darkstar3 said:

I have the 'Strange Days' and 'LA Woman' 'Gold' CDs that were issued in 1992. Bought them at Tower Records. I think they were like $30.00 a piece.

I must confess that they do have better sound quality than the original cd releases but I saw a few copies for sale on Amazon recently and the price they are asking now days is certainly not worth it. Save your money.

I bet they sound freakin' sweet, but yeah, not gonna shell out the money ... Steve did all but Soft Parade and Morrison Hotel back in the 90's for DCC. A couple of years ago, he did finally get to do SP and MH for Audio Fidelity, which, I believe, are still in print. Heard nothing but good things about them (ie: they are the definitive digital release of the original mixes). All depends on yr. ears, equipment, and how much yr. willing to spend ...

FWIW, I have a Gold DCC of Queen's A Night At The Opera mastered by Steve that is one of the best discs I own. Even on my old car stereo, that thing had the greatest dynamics. The loud bits just JUMPED out at you. Fantastic!

[wplj]

This is from the Steve Hoffman forum from yesterday:

Jeff posted this tracklisting for the 2CD set:

Disc1

1. The Changeling [4:24]
2. Love Her Madly [3:39]
3. Been Down So Long* [4:44]
4. Cars Hiss By My Window* [4:58]
5. L.A. Woman* [7:59]
6. L'America [4:34]
7. Hyacinth House [3:13]
8. Crawling King Snake* [5:01]
9. The WASP (TexasRadio and The Big Beat) [4:16]
10. Riders On The Storm [7:08]


Disc2

1. The Changeling (Alternate Version) [4:45]
2. Love Her Madly (Alternate Version) [3:59]
3. Cars Hiss By My Window (Alternate Version) [4:42]
4. L.A. Woman (AlternateVersion) [8:50]
5. TheWASP (Texas Radio and The Big Beat) (AlternateVersion) [5:37]
6. Been Down So Long (Alternate Version) [4:53]
7. Riders On The Storm (Alternate Version) [9:11]
8. She Smells So Nice / Rock Me [4:41/4:30] [9:11]

... and this information as well ...

Jeff Jampol says:


All products slated for the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, a/k/a "Black Friday."

Don't have 4-CD tracklist completed yet - but when we do, I'll post.

Here is the Vinyl track list:

-ALL ALTERNATE VERSIONS, WITH STUDIO CHATTER IN BETWEEN-

Side One:

The Changeling
Love Her Madly
Cars Hiss By My Window
L.A. Woman

Side Two:

The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)
Been Down So Long
Riders On The Storm

Side Three:

She Smells So Nice/Rock Me

[in which, incidentally, we hear Jim experimenting with the "Mr. Mojo Risin'" line, in different ways/melodies, for the first time....really cool]

Side Four:

-NO MUSIC-

Side Four will be blank, and will have a "3D-Effect" laser etching double-image of the "Electric Crucified Woman" artwork by Carl Cossick from the original album.

Again, really cool......(I hope you agree)

... Good thing I had no intention of getting the LP. I hate when the vinyl version of a deluxe reissue only uses up 3 sides of vinyl and the artist (or whoever) thinks an etching creates added value! Put some bloody music on there ... some stuff from the 4CD version for Christ's sake!

As mentioned above 4CD tracklist has yet to materialise, but Jampol has stated it will contain EVERY outtake from the sessions including all studio chatter. Basically, everything they have on tape for LAW. I'm still not impressed. I will buy the 2CD version and seek out the 4CD version by "other" means. I want to hear it, but I can't see that it will have repeat listening value. At least they are including the one "new" tune on the 2CD version ... I am disappointed the single versions of LHM/YNM and ROTS/The Changeling won't be on there. But, maybe one day we'll get the long rumoured disc of single versions ... who the hell knows ... hell ... bring on London Fog!

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

The legendary Johnny Winter once did a 3 sided double LP. On the sleeve he said after the session they had too much for one LP but not enough for two. So here is what they did nothing more nothing less. 'Second Winter' awesome album
The Doors just do it because they are greedy fuckers and will milk the shit out of fans.

I agree mate as it's nothing special.
Will the cars version be the one with the extra verse we already have or a genuinly different version?

The 2nd CD does not have that much on it just over 50 minutes...no big deal.
Of course I wil get the music as I wanna hear it but it bodes poorly for the 4 CD set as will that just be chit chat and if not why not put more on the 2 CD set.
Plenty of room on the double disc.
I no longer trust these three liars and their scumbag manager.
Whatever they do will be a high priced fleece job.

[wplj]

Alex, I got the impression from Densmore's quote in the Uncut article that the 4CD will have multiple, sequential takes of songs. (ie: many takes of the same song in a row, like, as JD mentions, recent John Coltrane reissues that include all the available session material, as it went down, in sequential order.) While that is neat to hear, I think my main needs will be served by a single disc of the album represented by alternate takes ... no repitition. I will, like I said, find other ways to acquire the 4CD version, but it won't be high on the priority list ... I would not turn it down as an Xmas gift, though, ha ha ha!

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

I don't mind that myself and like you will find other ways to get it all.
It's a neat idea from bands to do this and Floyd are starting to do it with their albums.

The Dark Side Of The Moon will be the first record to get the reissue treatment on Sept. 26, with a two-disc “Experience” version and a 6-disc “Immersion” box set, along with vinyl and digital formats. There also will be a box set of 14 studio albums available. Similar treatment will be given to Wish You Were Here on Nov. 7, while The Wall gets expanded on Feb. 27, 2012.


It's just The Doors are such greedy fuckers I won't give them a penny on principal.