@AirplayBeats reacts to The Doors - Riders On The Storm Like comment and subscribe Join our Patreon for exclusive videos and to get your requests done faster: patreon.com/user?u=81569817
Jumping into The Doors, it’s important to know; Jim Morrison was a Poet, not a songwriter. Jim is also in the 27 Club. Artists that died at the age of 27. RIP beautiful man.
how good were they live in comparison to all the other great talent of that era??? .... did morrison have an ability to transfix and work a crowd as the legend portends?
The Doors did not have a bass player. In concert, Ray Manzarek provided the bass lines with his left hand. In the studio, they hired studio musicians. On this particular track, Jerry Scheff, who was Elvis' bassist, just played what Ray was playing with his left hand and that's why it's so distinctive.
When led Zeppelin was on the stage and when Jonh Paul Jones had to be on keyboards for some songs he played the bass line with his feet using his bass pedals
Ray used a Fender Rhodes Bass. It's an electric piano tuned in the bass register. The reason he can make it sound like a bass guitar is that the Fender Rhodes is a piano with guitar-type pickups, so it plays through amps and pedals like a guitar would.
Jim Morrison, An American Poet!!! Morrison recorded his voice singing then whispered the lyrics before superimposing the two, creating a kind of echo to this story of a murderer on the road.....nice analysis and great listening quality!
Everyone feels that Jim was the band which is hard to argue. I'll just say that Ray Manzarek the other founding band member was an absolute genius. His ability to play a bass line with one hand and the keys with the other is top shelf genius. It resides in every Doors tune. RIP Jim & Ray
Eh....playing bass with your left hand is professional keyboard 101. Most jazz and classical players can do it in their sleep; Manzarek stuck out because nobody in "rock" was doing it but in reality it's not that big of a deal. He was a nice player but quite far from Genius level
Ray's equipment is a big part of his sound. He used a Fender Rhodes Bass, which was basically a mini piano equipped with Fender's bass pickups. So it sounded a lot like a Fender bass guitar.
I think the overall theme of the song is we come from nothing and are thrown into this life (the storm). It can be a bumpy ride and we need love to get through. Morrison was fascinated by the idea of doors that lead from one reality to another. Hence the bands name.
@kelvinkloud You're probably right. I've picked up on that theme in a couple of other songs. Of course, Jim was a poet not a philosopher, so none of his themes were directly fleshed out. He used poetic imagery.
@@jeffmurray1681 he like and studied symbolist poetry. Blake was a master at it & he loved Blake. Much of Morrison’s later work as here w/ riders implemented that style. More bare bones direct word usage wh/ at first appearance is seemingly simpler then some of his more abstract earlier like, can’t see your face in my mind. That Blake style like in Blake’s poem Tyger however is deceptively much denser than under first view. Like a the 7/8 of the iceberg not seen by the eye. Riders is using this same method as good as morrison ever did. He draws out a pretty simple narrative between a driver and a hitcher, yet the landscape it’s set in is dense. And the word usage though sparse and non abstract, is nevertheless dense and connects like a star pattern to scale out a larger picture. Aside from a spooky mood piece of a tension filled scene out in the desert canyons between a driver and a hitcher, it’s a contemplative ode to the unrest of the greater culture and what it may portend for both the indiv and the collective society. The fork in the road is the option of whether one (or society) indulges in destructive temptation by picking up the hitcher (who on a larger scale represents evil choice) or makes the decision to ride onward past the hitcher down the road (one or societies future destiny) and embrace one’s or societies positive potential of growth via finding love, family, holiday and sustained growth… it’s a really strong work by Jim and the band and quite the coda for him and his relationship and hope for his homeland. It also doesn’t dictate or impose an idea, rather lays out the options and brings the viewer in to contemplate and in turn thru free will, choose. It inspired the screenplay, hitcher and could be further developed in film or story I’m sure. It was also prescient as by the mid to late 70s some boomers did pick up the hitcher (evil choices) dissolved into madness w/ worse drug usage of coke, heroin, rising divorce and even violence as people like Ted bundy emerged. Yet, many others found healing, family and growth as they moved down the road of time in a positive manner. This same construct was shown in forest Gump thru his choices post Nam vs Jenny’s wh/ cost her though she did find peace in the end.
The Doors were considered dark and foreboding compared to most of the peace and love of the Flower Child music. This is a great track and I recommend “Peace Frog” for a completely different feel.🖖🏼
Ha! Was just listening this in the car on the way home last night; a haunting, eerie one, isn’t it? Another great suggestion from your Dad! ❤ For a gritty gritty Doors song, I recommend “Roadhouse Blues”; the ultimate biker dive bar song!!!!
Well, I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer..... Exactly the sing I was thinking of! Late-stage Doors, where they just did whatever they wanted to.
I saw the Doors at the Retinal Circus which was a small older ballroom in Vancouver in the summer of 1967 when they were just emerging in popularity after releasing their first album. A few people ringed the stage but most people danced.
The Doors are a deep deep rabbit hole. You guys seem to be into the lyrics as much as the music so before you get into their big hits, try these tunes… “People Are Strange”, “The Soft Parade” and “The End”
@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN I believe you must be thinking of something else. Not a wimpy song at all. Pretty strong lyrically and melodically. In addition, how does a non-hit become over commercialized?
The killer awoke before dawn. He put his boots on. This kind of storylines feature through out Jim’s songwriting. Best front man of his time. Such presence
🤭 For some reason, this was my favorite Album to do Science Homework to. 😆Jeez Louise! The Flashbacks I'm having right now gives a whole new meaning to the term "Thanks for the Memories!" 😁🐰
Hey Fellas. The sound of the band and the tone of Morrison's voice made The Doors and interesting band with a vibe and atmosphere all their own. So many great tracks to discover here. They drew from jazz, latin, rock and so much more. Check out "The Crystal Ship" which I sang so many times in cover bands even though I could not duplicate feel of Morrison's voice. Peace.
Nice reaction. I love the relatively new and wonderful sound of the Fender Rhodes being played by Ray Manzarek on this song. I was lucky enough to see them in 1968 in Sacramento at the age of 14. This is a rabbit hole to continue down, the Doors sound seems timeless.
how good were they live in comparison to all the other great talent of that era??? .... did morrison have an ability to transfix and work a crowd as the legend portends?
@@kelvinkloud I just saw your post and wanted to at least give you feedback. Morrison was good and the band itself was very good. Morrison as you may know was a wild child and he pushed the limits quite often on stage but when I saw him, he was pretty good vocally and appeared to be very stable. By the way, in 1968 I was also blessed to see Cream and Jimi Hendrix in my hometown of Sacramento. It was a very heady time!
@@rodneyhearne3405 compared to all the other lead singers you saw in that great era, did morrison have the ability to transfix a crowd moreso.... was his command of stagecraft on another level?... i was too young to see him, but that is what is marketed about him in retrospect when you hear the doors talked about. I just dont know if it was overhyped or truly tangible. Ive seen moments on film where I see hints of it. but film & live are different. its why I'm interested to hear your takes. Your were a lucky guy to have grown up in that era. power to you for catching all that great talent. thx for any takes.
Fantastic ominous, hypnotic song. Thanks for sharing it, guys. My take: Verse 1: life is dangerous, uncertain, and lonely Verse 2: some lose their way, and make it worse Verse 3: have faith, and make it better
From the web site Songfacts - The song can be seen as an autobiographical account of Morrison's life: he considered himself a "Rider on the storm." The "killer on the road" is a reference to a screenplay he wrote called The Hitchhiker (An American Pastoral), where Morrison was going to play the part of a hitchhiker who goes on a murder spree. The lyrics, "Girl you gotta love your man" can be seen as a desperate plea to his long time girlfriend Pamela
Masterful piece. The atmosphere on this one is pure rapture. You've got those drums tapping out a nice backbeat with bass walking right beside it, throw in the comping guitar with tinkling jazz keys, what's not to like? Perfection.
What you said about the hitchhiker on the road was spot on, Jim actually wanted to write/direct a movie about exactly that and this was gonna be the song for that. This is actually the last song he ever recorded before dying
That bass run by Ray Manzarek who played bass on the keys as well as the theme, is divine. 😊definitely jazzy! This was the last song Jim recorded before he died. He was a rider on the storm.
"Into this world were thrown" apparently was inspired by the philosopher Heidegger's concept of "thrownness" (Geworfenheit): "arbitrary character of... experience in the sense of ... having been born into a specific family in a particular culture at a given moment of human history."
I used to live in West Hollywood in the early 90s not to far from the Doors Studio..every year on Jim's death anniversary 100s of people would block the sidewalk with a candle light vigil some crying... powerful stuff right there..still remember seeing that like it was yesterday
An absolute groove and 'head-space' track! Keyboard master Ray Manzarek (RIP) totally makes this track! The Doors really embraced psychedelia & blues-rock - and their sum is truly better than their parts. Frontman Jim Morrison (also RIP) was an incredible poet. All their songs have a story to tell. John Densmore on drums knew how to lay a groove and always serviced the song, and Robbie Krieger on guitar was/is a master of atmosphere! I love this band. Future considerations: Light My Fire, When The Music's Over, Break On Through, Waiting For The Sun, The Crystal Ship, and The End (all are absolute musts!)
The Door's drummer, John Densmore, was heavily influenced by the jazz drummer for John Coltrane, Elvin Jones. John grew up in LA and in his late teens and early 20s John and his friend were into jazz and went clubs to listen to the music and heard Coltrane several times.
Great selection. I love your reactions and have watched all of your rock videos. I am 67 and grew up in the golden years of rock.....a couple masterpieces for your consideration: Johhny Winter, greatest slide guitarist to ever play.....Highway 61 Revisited from the album Second Winter Steely Dan, you missed three great ones: Bodhisattva, Show Biz Kids and Black Friday Jackson Browne......Redneck Friend Arrowsmith....... Train Kept a Rollin, Same Old Song and Dance, Lord of the Thighs Little Feat...... Apolitical Blues, Cold Cold Cold/Tripe Face Boogie After you've reacted to these I'll send you some more from the All Time Greatest Rock Playlist Keep up the great work and thank you
Love this song! When I was around 10 or 11, for a while I used to listen to this and Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert" when I was going to sleep; a primitive 1971 sound machine lol. Enjoyed this reaction. More Doors, please.
5:06 I love Jazz. I have a radio in my house that has been on for 15 straight years. Fall and winter it's tune to my local FM Classical station. Spring and summer it's tuned to my local FM Jazz station. I am an aficionado of both Classical and Jazz i.e., I know just enough to get me in trouble.
I worked at Fender building the Fender-Rhodes Electric Pianos from 1969 - 1978. I built the piano used for this recording and so many others. I will only say... Think about all the music produced in that era using those pianos... nuf said
That's great stuff Mark. I absolutely LOVE the unmistakable sound of the Fender-Rhodes electric piano. You're absolutely right, there has been an unbelievable amount of incredible music played on that instrument. I used to help a buddy carry an 88 key FR around for our gigs. Good grief that thing was a beast. Especially when it was in the Anvil case he had for it!
I'm sitting here at work, in the office downtown, with this playing in my ears and I'm groovin' to the music... Oh man, they're lucky I don't start singing out loud!
I know you're not supposed to use a modifier with the word "unique," but The Doors were perhaps the most unique rock band ever. The drummer was influenced by jazz, the keyboardist might have had some classical piano training, the guitarist played many styles, including flamenco, and the singer was a mad poet. Nobody sounds like them, which makes them timeless. In 2009, I think, I visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. They had a special exhibit on The Doors, and I saw fans from age 12 or so to 75 or 80.
Back in the early 70's I woke up one morning to my clock/radio around 6:45 am in order to catch my bus to high school at 7:30. It was raining outside, and this was the song I awoke to. I'm 65, and I will never forget this song or that morning.
Morrison left us way to young, just like so many others. But they left us with some glorious tunes, and I am grateful. I thought I'd leave another suggestion, in case you're ready to explore another wonderful band such as "Dire Straits - Telegraph Road Live - aLchemy Tour 1983" This concert is legendary.
You got to remember doors did not have a bass player they did it on the keyboard not too many bands could do that watch the video of them on the Dick Clark shell they did two songs check it out
An all time favourite and classic along with LA Woman and Light My Fire. They stuck a microphone out the window to catch that storm. Great site - Little Feat and the Doobies next?
I think there's a whisper track in the background at times. I've never noticed it before. That or weird analog reverb wizardy. The engineers back then were genius.
the beginning goes like this ...Jim met and knew Ray while attending UCLA film school when Jim dropped out and went missing for a while . Ray ran into him months later on Venice Beech and asked Jim where have you been Jims ....reply writing poetry then Ray says oh ya let me see so Jim shows Ray ....Rays response ....have you ever thought of putting your poetry to music? hence The Doors are created
A couple of things, I believe I had read somewhere that the, gotta love your man, verses was just ad libbed by Morrison because him and his girlfriend were going through some things at the time. About the, actor out on loan part, back in those days actors were contracted to studios (MGM, Warner Bro. etc) and sometimes loaned out to other studios for some movie or tv show. The studio referenced here would be earth. We’re all just loaned out here for a short while to play a part and then we return to where we belong.
not sure how much you guys have delved into the doors... but morrison, the lead singer & lyricist of this song, was heavy into poetry. in that context, this song should be seen as a poem, at least lyrically. he also went to ucla film school & was a classmate and friend of copolla (director of godfather movies). Thus his lyrics & musical ideas also have a cinematic scope element to them wh/ you guys picked up on.... sound wise it is indeed jazz based & very atmospheric giving it a spooky modern western vibe, as out driving in the canyons and desert near a storm... back to the lyrics. it is simple but also dense. symbolic poetic style. he was a big william blake poet fan & hes using that techniique here, so much of this is metaphor aside from being a narrative of a driver & a hitcher.... this song was written at the time of manson wh/ was a bad vibe in the culture at that time. along w/ nam imploding and nasty violent protested in the country. hence, the storm is the culture. the rider is the indiv, you, me or him, navigating thru a tough period in society. like weather this is cylical & could apply to now or later in our culture in times of strife. the road is Time. present, past, future. it was the last song morrison did before he left to go to paris & die 6 mo later. its his good bye song to the usa. its full of haunt & warning but also hope if you examine it closely.... hes provide an option & hope. hes acknowledging growing violence & people embracing it (the hitcher). picking up the hitcher represents temptation wh/ leads to worsening deeds & both indiv and collective implosion. yet it also provides the free will option. To ride on, survive & endure the storm. find and embrace family, love & build a family, holiday. Endure & build.... that was his hope in a troubling time.... one of the doors best songs ever & a heartfelt good bye and hope laid out by morrison. RIP. he was misunderstood & underrated poetic vision wise.
Don't know if they burned one before they recorded this, but I sure did when I was listening to them way, way back in the day. There wasn't much better than getting off 2nd shift and cruising around the back roads from the back seat of my buddy's ride listening to kick ass tunes - and this one was one of my favorites by them
This song used to scare me when I was like 3 or 4 years old. My mom loved the doors and I remember the music was kinda ominous sounding and hearing killer, family will die, brain squirming like a toad tripped my young mind out.
Dayum, what a driving rhythm and spooky sound. He tried to warn them. Girl, you gotta love your man, make him understand. None of it had to happen. This is a special kind of darkness that could only have come from LA. The Manson murders in the Hollywood hills, etc. Did you react to "Don't You Love Her Madly" yet? The Doors were running on all cylinders.
Just found this. After recording ‘Riders on the Storm,’ Morrison flew to Paris where he died. This was also the last time the other band members saw Jim.
Hey guys really enjoying the reviews great job on Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd and Steely Dan the doors are iconic also I think the next song that you guys will probably really enjoy from them would be peace frog and when you get to Led Zeppelin 3 the song Since I've Been Loving You will blow your Minds Blues masterpiece
Ahh, welcome to the realm of The Lizard King...Mr. Mojo Risin, sometimes eerie, sometimes raucous, but always mind expanding. Y'all nailed it though, the three musicians of the band; keys, guitar and drums actually came from a jazz background...until they met the one and only Jim Morrison. From then on their genre was "The Doors."
"keys, guitar and drums actually came from a jazz background" No, they didn't. Was is it with you people making up bullshlt in these reaction video comments?
I don’t know your Dad but I love how he exposed you to all this great music I grew up with. He and I are around the same age. ☮️ Dad and thank you for your service.
I like your calm, unexcited way of describing the music. I'd love to hear/see more of "The Doors" from you guys. Thanks for sharing and best regards @all from hamburg (germany)
