OTHER VOICES

Manzarek, Krieger and Densmore knew already that after their sixth album, it would have been very difficult to convince Jim to pursue his musical career. As soon as 1968, he had wished to stop singing to concentrate on his poetry activity.

None of them would have thought that he was going to die so soon of course. What could they do ?

To stop immediately (like Led Zep did when Bonham died) ? To find a substitute in the lead vocals ? To go on only the three of them ?

Actually, the first comparison is not fair. Although I am found of John (he is my preferred drummer), he did not have the same influence on Led Zep songwriting than Jim did on The Doors' one. The second option was briefly considered : it is even said that Iggy Pop (another beast on stage) was approached to do so. They will finally opt for the last one, which makes sense. After all, it was their band as well (even if Jim had the leading role : on as well as off stage). Manzarek was the one who started The Doors with Jim.

They did not wait for long to release this effort. Only a few months after Jim's dead (early July of that same year), "Other Voices" will see the light.

What's for sure, is that the person responsible for the track listing didn't do a great job. " In The Eye Of The Sun" and "Variety Is The Spice Of Life" are very poor numbers. Really sub-par Doors material. Bluesy atmosphere; but this one will prevail (together with the jazzy one) almost throughout the whole of this album like "L.A. Woman" released earlier on in 1971.

The longest number "Ships With Sails" is one of the best number here. A great Doors song, really. Great and hypnotic riff (I know, I often make this comment but it so true that I cannot find other words to explain my feeling). It has the same flavour as "Riders On The Storm" which is a reference. Krieger guitar play sounds at times as Carlos Santana. The jazzy mood here is very pleasant. Very good vocals as well (I guess it is Manzarek). Good instrumental break (as during the mother example).

The next song is a great rock number and my fave of the album "Tightrope Ride" is really a pleasant surprise. It sounds 100% as a Rolling Stones tribute. The lyrics are rather symbolic : "You're on a tightrope ride, we're all by your side. But you're all alone, and we're going home. And we're by your side, but you're all alone.Like a Rolling Stone, like Brian Jones. On a tightrope ride". These two songs makes me believe they have done the good choice.

On the contray, the cowboy style of "Down On The Farm" (you do not invent these titles by mistake) sounds pretty awful but after all, The Doors were an American band so I guess that they were somewhat influenced by this genre. Not my cup of tea. The jazzy "I'm Horny, I'm Stoned" also belong to the poor ones.

Another bluesy number will follow : "Wandering Musician" is just a bit better thanks to a good piano solo from Manzarek. But it could have been shortened by two minutes to avoid to get bored while listening to these 6'17".

The closing number "Hang On To Your Life" with its jazzy mood also works OK. Good percussion work for this more complex song. It is a varied and peaceful musical moment during the first part but the rhythm catches up after two minutes or so. Actually this song reminds me very much of the Stones number "Sympathy For The Devil" (written in 1968), except for the last portion which sounds more like an improvisation (a la King Crimson or Van Der Graaf). A nice way to close this average album. Two stars.