The Doors final album with Jim Morrison
One of the most underrated albums in both The Doors and poetry category.
For the three remaining bandmates, it was a final goodbye to a friend by using his spoken word poetry he recorded in 1969 to 1970 before his death. Symbolically, it was Morrisons spirit they were listening to, while making this album. By this time 1978 when the album was recorded, Morrison was buried all the way in Paris, 1971.
So, going into this album, I had already knew the back story of the band. This made it twice as interesting to listen to.
For those who aren't familiar with the irony of Morrisons dilemma, Morrison loved music but most importantly, he truly wanted to be recognized as a poet. He thought that maybe if he joined a rock band, he can then inject some of his poetry into the lyrics. This was the 60's and Rock and Roll was at its prime. So for a man in his early 20's this sounds like a great idea. What Jim failed to understand was the corporate side of the music industry. This led to many of the writings to be changed, watered down and radio friendly. In the beginning of his music career, it was fun for a while to travel and tour around the world. But after a while, the work he was doing became a job that became overwhelming.
Its hard to understand now that we have a decentralized system but back then, he had to rely on a lot of centralized organizations such as his record label that took most of the royalties of the bands content, and split the rest of the left over profit money into four for the bandmates. He also had music critics, these were the worst ones because critics don't go after your money, they go after your reputation as an artist. Next were the fans who only wanted to hear what they heard on the radio. I'm not even including the constant personal fights he had with his bandmates, family, friends and the law. Writing this has allowed me to realize that the music industry hasn't changed since then.
This album, The American Prayer, was an album Jim did as a side project without his bandmates input.
Recording this spoken word poetry album was a breath of fresh air for him. No one to tell him he can't do this or that. This was Morrison alone with a Microphone. A chance for him to be a poet like he wanted to be, as opposed to a rockstar. Other poets in that era gave him harsh criticism for being a radio pop star. But at this point of recording the poetry album, Jim didn't care about his image anymore. in-fact he gained weight and grew a big beard something completely different from his last look when he came out with the doors in the beginning.
My final thoughts on this album.
I personally own this album both on mp3 and vinyl
so ultimately, I'm a big fan of the album. The Vocal cuts along with the instrumentals are a bit choppy at times, but i'm guessing this was because this album was recorded in different occasions. Also keep in mind the technology back then isn't as good as it is at this point in time.
the only thing I'm not sure about the album was the fact that the other three bandmates later included instrumentals to go along with the spoken word tracks of Morrison.
If Jim wanted them in it, he was alive at that point. So all he could have done was simply invite them to a session to record this album together. Unless the bandmates were in one of those band fights/drama at the time of the vocal recordings. Who knows.
The question in my head about this decision to include instrumentals is, would Morrison like this album if he were to hear it?
The right answer is "I don't Know."
On one hand this is a recording to hear the band as a whole again. Obviously because Morrison had no idea he was going to die when he did, no one has the ability to know when they are going to die.
On the other hand Would Morrison have liked the decision to add instrumentals?
the worst perspective of this album would be that the bandmates did it to make more money off of him.
no one knows the right answer to that.
Personally, I still like the album and I would listen to it from start to finish from time to time, especially when I was in High School. it was one of the many albums that I liked. So there is a sense of nostalgia in my case when it come to this album.
If one thing is certain, he will be known as a poet. as long as his records are recognized by others and his tomb stone stands
Feast of Friends
Open this link on another tab, scroll down to see photos of Jim Morrisons Gravesite at Père Lachaise Cemetery taken over the years. There are many stories behind this grave site too.
I plan on reviewing some more albums, from many different genres, from time to time.
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