DANCE ON FIRE

"Dance On Fire" is a DVD of The Doors that was released in 1985. It was also released in the DVD format on "The Doors ? 30 Years Commemorative Edition" and on the Blue-ray disc format, which was released in 1999. That commemorative edition was also released with two other live DVD's from the group, a short version of "Live At The Hollywood Bowl" that was originally released in 1987 and "The Soft Parade A Retrospective" that was originally released in 1991.

"Dance On Fire" has sixteen tracks. The first track "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" was originally released on their eponymous debut studio album "The Doors", from 1967. The version on this DVD was taken from the original Elektra Promo Clip in November 1966. The second track "People Are Strange" was originally released on their second studio album "Strange Days", also from 1967. The version on this DVD was also taken from the original Elektra Promo Clip in September 1967. The third track "Light My Fire" was originally released on "The Doors". The version on this DVD was taken from the ED Sullivan Show on 17 September 1967. The fourth track "Wild Child" was originally released on their fourth studio album "The Soft Parade", from 1969. The version on this DVD was taken from a recording studio session at Elektra in October 1968. The fifth track "L.A. Woman" was originally released on their sixth studio album "L.A. Woman", from 1971. The version on this DVD is a new short film made by Ray Manzareck, in 1985. The sixth track "The Unknown Soldier" was originally released on their third studio album "Waiting For The Sun", from 1968. The version on this DVD was also taken from another original Elektra Promo Clip in March 1968. It was banned since 1968. The seventh track "Roadhouse Blues" was originally released on their fifth studio album "Morrison Hotel", from 1970. The version on this DVD has excerpts from "Feast Of Friends", the unreleased concert documentary originally filmed during the American tour made in 1968. The eighth track "The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)" was originally released on "L.A. Woman". The version on this DVD was taken from a film made for the Danish Television on 18 September 1968. The ninth track "Love Me Two Times" was originally released on "Strange Days". The version on this DVD was taken from the same performance as the previous one. The tenth track "Touch Me" was originally released on "The Soft Parade". The version on this DVD was taken from a film made on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" on 6 December 1968. The eleventh track "Horse Latitudes" and the twelfth track "Moonlight Drive" were originally released on "Strange Days". The versions on this DVD were taken from a film of a live show made on "Jonathan Winters Show" on 4 December 1967. The thirteenth track "The End" was originally released on "The Doors". The version on this DVD is an excerpt of the performance made on the live concert filmed at The Hollywood Bowl on 5 July 1968. The fourteenth track "Crystal Ship" was also originally released on "The Doors". The version on this DVD was taken from a show made on the American Bandstand on 7 July 1967. The fifteenth track "Adagio" was originally a piece composed by Tommasso Albinoni. The Doors arranged the original piece and made their own version. This new version was recorded during "Waiting For The Sun" and played while home movies by The Doors are shown. The sixteenth track "Riders On The Storm" was originally released on "L.A. Woman". This is the track that plays over on the DVD closing credits.

On this DVD, The Doors are captured during their glorious heyday. "Dance On Fire" is a collection of live performances, promotional clips and rare behind-the-scenes film footage. No one could say The Doors were boring. Morrison himself was a complete mystery that became one of the most charismatic artists ever, especially due to his brief life. "Dance On Fire" contains fourteen songs drawn from television and concert appearances including "Light My Fire", "Touch Me", "Crystal Ship", "People Are Strange", "Break On Through" and "Riders On The Storm". It also has a riotous version of "Roadhouse Blues" from The Doors' 1968 summer concert tour of America and an original non-performance segment of "LA Woman" directed by Ray Manzarek. "Dance On Fire" has received widespread critical acclaim of fans and critics.

Conclusion: "Dance On Fire" is an excellent DVD of The Doors that covers all the group's musical discography when Jim Morrison was a band's member. It represents a very good and interesting musical document of one of the most important and charismatic rock bands that ever existed. This is undeniably one of the best collections from the group that contains some unique concert shots, immortal images of Morrison and his legendary band. There are also some very interesting music videos. Concluding, "Dance On Fire" is a good collection of great The Doors musical material and images. This is a must have for anyone who is interested in this style of music, especially for their hardest fans.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)