Watch The Doors - Classic Album: The Doors

The Doors - Classic Album: The Doors from 1968 is a documentary film that celebrates the making of the iconic self-titled debut album of the band The Doors. It was directed by Bob Smeaton and released in 2012, exactly 45 years after the album hit the shelves. The film features interviews with the three surviving members of the band, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, and Ray Manzarek, who talk about the creative process of recording the album, from the songwriting to the production techniques used by the sound engineer Bruce Botnick. The documentary also includes archival footage of Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, who died in 1971, as well as voice-over excerpts taken from his poetry and interviews.

The Doors - Classic Album: The Doors from 1968 offers a deep insight into the making of the album that defined The Doors' sound, which was described as a mix of rock, blues, and psychedelic music. The film explores each of the eleven songs on the album, including the hits "Break On Through (To the Other Side)", "Light My Fire", and "The End", and reveals how they were conceived, developed, and recorded.

The interviews with Densmore, Krieger, and Manzarek offer interesting details about the band's creative process. For instance, Densmore explains how the rhythm section of the band developed their unique groove, which was heavily influenced by jazz music. Krieger talks about how he came up with the guitar riff for "Light My Fire", which became one of the most recognizable riffs in music history. Manzarek reflects on how his keyboard playing added a distinctive psychedelic sound to the band's music.

Moreover, the film explores the use of experimental techniques such as tape loops, reverse echo, and variable speed recording, which were used by the band and their sound engineer to create innovative sounds and textures on the album. The documentary also discusses how the band's music was influenced by the cultural and social climate of the late 1960s, with its countercultural movements, political unrest, and psychedelic experiences.

The Doors - Classic Album: The Doors from 1968 is not only a tribute to the band's legacy but also a celebration of the album's enduring influence on popular music. The documentary features interviews with artists such as Perry Farrell, Billy Idol, and Ian Astbury, who pay homage to The Doors and explain how their music has inspired their own work.

The film also includes rare footage of The Doors performing live, including excerpts from the infamous Miami concert in 1969, where Morrison was arrested for indecent exposure, and the Isle of Wight festival in 1970, which was one of the band's last live performances.

Overall, The Doors - Classic Album: The Doors from 1968 is a must-see for any fan of The Doors, as well as for anyone interested in the history of rock music. It tells the story of a landmark album that defined a generation and continues to inspire new generations of artists.