THE DOORS AT "THE MATRIX": “MOONLIGHT DRIVE” IN MARCH 1967

 

The Doors' concerts at the Matrix in San Francisco in early March 1967 are one of the few recordings to capture the group's music at that crucial time in their career.

In fact, this recording catches them on the eve of the sessions for their second album. Just a month and a half later, they began recording the musical ideas that would feature on the "Strange Days" LP, which was released in September 1967.

Among the songs the band performed at the historic venue was “Moonlight Drive”.

This Jim Morrison composition had been in The Doors' repertoire since the formation (with the arrival of Robby Krieger) of the final lineup in October-November 1965.

The song was recorded in the studio a few months after this live performance and was chosen to close the A-side of "Strange Days".

This Jim Morrison composition had been in the band's repertoire since the final lineup formed in October–November 1965, with the arrival of Robby Krieger.

Here at “The Matrix”, we hear an extended version of the song that ends just before the six-minute mark (link here).

This version differs from the one on the record in at least three ways.

Firstly, the electric organ is used instead of the modified piano and clavinet, which were played by Ray Manzarek on the album version.

Furthermore, Manzarek built the bass line with his left hand on the Fender Rhodes piano bass, whereas on the album it was Doug Lubahn, a great session musician, who played the electric bass.

Secondly, Ray Manzarek himself provided vocal support to Morrison on most of the track.

The keyboardist frequently added vocal embellishments, sometimes singing phrases between the lyrics ("Goin' down" is repeated often), and sometimes doubling Morrison's main vocal line.

The third and final distinguishing feature of this live version of "Moonlight Drive" is represented by the verses added by Morrison, which were presumably improvised on stage.

In fact, before the final verse-rhythm sequence, he inserts some poetic phrases that continue the narrative of the rest of the song.

In this way, he invites listeners to dive into the sea, the destination evoked by the song's title, "Moonlight Drive".

Morrison encouraged the audience to dive deep into a sea that leads to a different dimension, away from the oppressive everyday life and dull contemporary society.

In this new dimension projected by Morrison's additional verses, fish become our friends, our eyes turn into coral, and the city is replaced by the depths of the ocean.

The purpose of this mystical journey beneath the waves is to discover an alternative path to conformity, one that frees us from external conditioning and enables us to be more authentic and spontaneous.

The addition of these lyrics alone makes "Moonlight Drive" live at "The Matrix" worth listening to.

While the rest of the performance lives up to expectations, it is perhaps a little less immediate, engaging and sparkling than the masterpiece found on the "Strange Days" LP.

This version of the song remained unchanged throughout the numerous concerts that The Doors held in 1967.

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”