The Doors fabled studio outtake, “Paris Blues,” recorded either for The Soft Parade or L.A. Woman (the band could never seem to remember) was thought lost. The only tape of the tune was given to Doors’ keyboardist Ray Manzarek but was subsequently damaged by his toddler son Pablo (who recorded over a few short parts). Resurrected through creative editing, the plodding Paris Blues stands as the title and opening song of a nine-song collection.
Additionally, we get two previously unreleased live recordings of singer Jim Morrison and guitarist Robbie Krieger performing as a duo at a benefit for Norman Mailer’s mayoral campaign in 1969. The original “I Will Never Be Untrue” and a cover of Robert Johnson’s “Me And The Devil Blues.” Both are rough recordings but priceless rarities for Doors aficionados. It’s especially fun to hear the false start on “Me And The Devil Blues” as Morrison and Krieger try to find their footing.
Included here also are two outtakes, “(You Need Meat) Don’t Go No Further” and “I’m Your Doctor,” both featuring Manzarek on vocals. In 2019, bassist Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots added his bass lines to these two.
There’s also a trio of tunes from the band’s Live in Vancouver 1970 concert album. We first get Morrison’s introducing legendary bluesman Albert King to the stage of the Pacific Coliseum Vancouver, where the band played and recorded on June 6, 1970. King joins the Doors on a perfectly noisy “Little Red Rooster” showcasing a sexy vocal from Morrison. There’s also “Rock Me Baby” and the band chunking along with Densmore‘s simple yet effective drum groove on “Who Do You Love?” On this last one, sorry to say, the Lizard King is not really in his finest form vocally. Still, it’s a hot tune with the band wailing behind him.
Certainly, one can be leery of collections like this that surface suddenly, promising newly found recordings and outtakes. Fortunately, Paris Blues is a solid set offering stuff fans and admirers something they may or may not have heard before. In the end, as a Record Store Day exclusive on vinyl or digitally, it all comes together beautifully.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
