Well, Dan here again trying this blogging thing. I hope you have checked out the video above as it is probably one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums, Morrison Hotel (1970). As you may know, there was an earlier album of the same name, Waiting For The Sun (1968) as this song.
Morrison Hotel was a return to their original blues roots as they went back to the basics after the critical disaster of the Soft Parade (1969). It was well received by critics and fans alike. The album cover was photographed at the actual Morrison Hotel in Los Angeles. They were denied permission by the owners to stage the photo shoot so they went back later and just took the photos with no one knowing. Not sure how they were allowed to publish it, but there it is.
The album kicks off with "Roadhouse Blues" with G. Puglese (aka John Sebastion of the Lovin Spoonful) on Harmonica. A good rockin tune that gets your feet tapping and just makes you want to get up in the morning and drink a beer.
Next up is my favorite "Waiting For the Sun" which was actually started back in 1968 during the recording of the Waiting For the Sun album. It must not have made the cut back then. The next cut is "You Make Me Real" which starts off with that old time piano sound, then Robbies guitar kicks in and Jim growls thru the rest of this great song.
Next up is "Peace Frog/Blue Sunday". A great pair to listen to together and brings up Jim's childhood memories of death on the highway. I love John's drums here and thruout this album as they were always what they needed. The second half is a very soft Jim song. Very heartfelt and was most likely being sung to his girl, Pamela. Side one closes out with "Ship of Fools". A real seaworthy song that I could imagine being sung on the deck of the old tall ship.
Side two opens with "Land Ho!" and Robbies guitar settin the pace, a continuation of the shipping theme. Next comes "The Spy" with Rays piano leading the way while Jim sang of his voyeuristic ESP talents. "Queen of the Highway" is a road trip love story. Next up is "Indian Summer" which the backing track was actually started way back in 1966 during the recording of their debut album The Doors. Jim's obssession with Indians and the Shaman Healer was an inspiration to many of his songs. Rounding out the album is "Maggie M'Gill". A bluesy rocker that just solidifies the overall quality of this album.
When and if you ever get the chance to spin it, stick it in the player, download it or whatever you have to do, listen to it from start to finish, preferably loud.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
