THE DOORS (1965 DEMO)

Very early demos from this line-up of the band, which at that time was Jim Morrison ( lead vocals), Ray Manzarek ( piano, vocals), John Densmore (drums), Rick Manzarek ( guitar), Pat Sullivan (bass guitar) and Jim Manzarek (harmonica), but I don`t know if by that time the name of the band was "The Doors". Recorded in 1965, they sound like being recorded live in the studio without overdubs, and the instrumentation is simple. Ray Manzarek is playing the piano on all songs, without using an organ. There are not really instrumental solos apart from the occasional piano or harmonica solo. The guitarist all the time plays rhythm guitar and there is a competent female bass guitar player. All the songs were later recorded by the band for some of their albums, and the songs arrangements sound more in the rock and roll and blues styles, but The Doors` style is very recognizable even with the absence of Robbie Krieger. So, all these songs were composed and arranged before he arrived to the band, giving the impression that Ray Manzarek was one of the main composers with Jim Morrison (and maybe John Densmore too) of the band and one of the creators of the sound of the band, and that Krieger wasn`t the main composer in the band. So, the recently late Ray Manzarek contributed a lot to the band`s very own style and sound. There are some traces of Jim Morrison`s "theatrical "vocals, even if he still sounds a bit "shy", still developing his style as lead singer. The recording and mixing is very professional (in mono) and it is a very good demo. The band plays very well, but with the addition of Krieger the band would reach the definitive line-up and musical style and to develop more the musical arrangements that all these songs had when they finally were recorded for their albums.