MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOU LIVE AT "THE MATRIX": THE PERFORMANCE

From the 7th to the 10th of March 1967, The Doors performed a series of concerts at the famous San Francisco venue, "The Matrix". These are among the few live recordings of the group from their early years. In fact, this was during the period between the release of their debut album, "The Doors", in January 1967, and the start of the recording sessions for their second album, "Strange Days", released in September 1967.

Also featured on this live recording is "My Eyes Have Seen You" (link here) a very good rock song that had already been recorded in February 1967 by the band and would become track number 9 on the "Strange Days" LP.

While the performance basically follows the album version, there is one important difference between the two.

On the album version, keyboardist Ray Manzarek plays the modified piano and the clavinet. The combined sound of these instruments is often overpowered by the distortion applied to Robby Krieger's guitar, achieved through studio work and overdubs. These sounds are joined by the vehement and bold electric bass of Doug Lubahn, who was called in to play as a session musician.

This process could not be replicated on stage, nor could the sound produced by the combination of the two keyboards used by Manzarek. At 'The Matrix', Manzarek plays the electric organ alongside a keyboard that reproduces the sound of the electric bass, known as the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass.

This difference in instrumentation has a significant impact on the overall sound of the song. In fact, while the "The Matrix" version is less powerful and less thick, it still maintains a high rock intensity.

The electric organ dominates the arrangement with its clear, smooth chords, filling the voids left by the absence of the rich arrangement that characterize the LP version.

Morrison sings with passion, staying close to the vocal line of the LP, but delivering the emotions steeped in lysergic toxins that defined this period of his career.

In summary, the version of "My Eyes Have Seen You" at 'The Matrix' is excellent, but it can be enjoyed even more on the "Strange Days" album.

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”