The Doors - Live In Boston 1970

Two shows and The Doors’ most honest live release

Doors concerts can be trying things: moments of “Where this is going?” offset by “Holy fuck!” epiphanies. More than any other Bright Midnight release, these two concerts (from 10 April 1970, 7pm and 10pm shows) emphasise the importance of the band. Plenty may have been coming to see Jim Morrison and what he might do next. Here in his “Jimbo” (stinking drunk) persona he whips the crowd into a frenzy as they retaliate. But without the counterpoint of the three musicians behind him, weaving together and coaxing a performance out of Morrison while steering the whole ship of fools home, there’d have been nothing to see other than a man full of booze saying something about believing in democracy. At times Morrison loses all interest, seemingly wanting to do nothing but wind the audience up. For all its flaws, though, it also has plenty of moments of brilliance, and not many bands could keep that going across two shows on the same night, until the plug gets pulled. Forget pristine live albums with studio overdubs to give the feel of a band on a good night. This is the real deal: a great band on an honest night; far more exciting than faithful renditions and crowd singalongs.

Bright Midnight/Rhino | 8122-79979-0

Reviewed by Jason Draper
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