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Into their blues

Jinkyu | 07/20/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Notwithstanding all those eerie organ sounds and high-pitched guitar twangs, the Doors were most of all a blues-based group. Indeed, their unique sound is often labeled "psychedelic blues." In this blues tribute, covering an appropriate selection of the group's classic songs, there are no vocals, just a multi-instrument workout, with a separate bass player and much more. As on the original, a harmonica pumps prominently in "Roadhouse Blues," one of the best cuts, but it also dishes out the motif on "Break on Through." On "Alabama Song," it is a mandolin that communicates the Brechtian decadence. The songs in which sax or trumpet ("Love Me Two Times" has both) are employed have a jazzy as well as bluesy feel. The trumpet is often slow with a sexy texture, as on "L.A. Woman." However, the slowest cover of all, and the best, is "Love Her Madly," with its jazzy, soulful sax. By contrast, the sax work is livelier on "Moonlight Drive," which also contains a fine guitar solo. There are not that many outstanding moments on this CD, but each song is easy listening, fitting of covers of one of rock's most listenable groups."