Other Voices

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Lore & Background

Following the critical success of L.A. Woman, the three surviving members began recording without Morrison, who was away in Paris at the time. Reflecting on this period in 2021, Robby Krieger described it as a tough time where the band questioned their future after his passing. They had been practicing and writing new material constantly. Faced with the choice to give up or record the songs they already had, they chose the latter. Krieger admitted they probably should not have released it so quickly after Morrison's death, noting that they were depressed but felt recording was all they could do. While Elektra Records wanted them to continue, making the decision relatively straightforward for a band eager to avoid sitting around in despair.

In Their Own Story

The original release on Elektra Records in October 1971 sold approximately 300,000 copies according to Jac Holzman. Record World praised the single 'Tightrope Ride' as a 'knockout rouser' that demonstrated the band's ability to rock successfully with new vocalists. For years, the group largely disregarded this album and its successor, Full Circle, claiming they did not possess the master tapes for CD reissues. Despite this, remastered material appeared on compilations like the 1997 Box Set and The Best of the Doors in 2000. It was not until September 27, 2011, that the first official digital reissue arrived, confirming the use of original master tapes. On May 29, 2015, Rhino Records announced a physical re-release for September 4, featuring a 2-CD set and 180-gram vinyl editions.

Reader's Guide

Fans can identify specific personnel contributions detailed in the liner notes: Robby Krieger handled guitar, vocals, and production, while Ray Manzarek covered keyboards, vocals, and production. John Densmore provided drums and production. Bass duties were split among session musicians: Jack Conrad played on 'In the Eye of the Sun', 'Variety Is the Spice of Life', and 'Tightrope Ride'; Jerry Scheff appeared on 'Down On The Farm', 'I'm Horny, I'm Stoned', and 'Wandering Musician'; Wolfgang Melz played on 'Hang on to Your Life'. Ray Neapolitan and Willie Ruff shared bass duties on 'Ships w/ Sails', with Francisco Aguabella adding percussion to that track and 'Hang on to Your Life'. Emil Richards contributed marimba on 'Down on the Farm'. Bruce Botnick served as production and engineering, while Ron Raffaelli created the artwork. The CD reissue includes only one bonus track: 'Treetrunk', the B-side of the 'Get Up and Dance' single.

Did You Know?

• Robby Krieger noted in 2021 that the band probably should not have put the album out so quickly after Jim Morrison's passing.
• The original master tapes were confirmed to be used for the September 27, 2011 digital reissue.
• For years, The Doors claimed they did not possess the master tapes needed for a CD release of this album.
• Jack Conrad played bass on three specific tracks: 'In the Eye of the Sun', 'Variety Is the Spice of Life', and 'Tightrope Ride'.
• The 2015 Rhino reissue features 'Treetrunk' as its only bonus track.