"THE MATRIX" ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES: THE 8 UNRELEASED TRACKS ONE BY ONE

On 8 September 2023, an audio-improved version of The Doors' material recorded at "The Matrix" between 7 and 11 March 1967 was released, based on the original sound sources.

The 37 songs include eight previously unreleased tracks, which we will now review briefly, one by one, from a musical point of view.

The first previously unreleased track is a new version of "My Eyes Have Seen You" (additional to the one already known from "The Matrix"). The only differences between this song and the one already available are slightly rougher vocals and a stronger presence of Manzarek as a second singer.

The second unreleased track is perhaps the most interesting: 'All Blues', a jazz tune written by Miles Davis for the historic April 1959 album "A Kind of Blue". Morrison is absent from this instrumental piece, which lasts about 8 minutes, as it gives more space to the rest of the band and allows the singer to rest.

The third unreleased track is "When the Music's Over". This song was already available, but in this case it is played by the band on another night. The Doors show here their experimental side.

Fourth unreleased track: "Summer's Almost Gone", recorded on a different night to the one included in previous live versions of "The Matrix". It is an excellent rendition and it was worth including two versions, even though they are almost the same.

Fifth unreleased track: "Moonlight Drive". Same as for "Summer's Almost Gone".

Sixth unreleased track: "Break On Through (To The Other Side)". Again, a second performance has been added to what was already there. It's worth it: Manzarek accompanies Morrison on vocals for almost the entire song, then plays a longer and different solo to the one on the debut LP version.

Seventh unreleased track: "Alabama Song". This song also appeared on the previous live recording. This additional version comes from another night at "The Matrix" and features a significant and controversial change that has never been heard before. Instead of the original verse, "Show me the way to the next little girl", Morrison and Manzarek sing together, changing it to "Show me the way to the next little boy". Was this a spontaneous joke on stage? Or a deliberate variation to see what effect it would have on the audience?

The eighth and final unreleased track is "Bag's Groove". This is another jazz instrumental, written and recorded by Milt Jackson with a quintet under his own name in 1952. It was later recorded in its most famous form by Miles Davis in December 1954, featuring other great musicians, including Milt Jackson himself.

P.S.: My book "The Doors Through Strange Days"- The most comprehensive journey ever made through The Doors' second LP, is available on Amazon.com, .uk, .mx, .it, etc.

Here’s a link:

Amazon – “The Doors Through Strange Days”