Essential Rarities. The title of this cd means it's going to have to have stuff we've never heard before. Does it live up to it's claim? Yes. E.R. (not the show you lazy couch warmers) has 6(!) songs that were never put on the original albums. Also it includes many cool live versions (!!) of the songs we've grown to know (the version of Break On Through is arguably the best version i've heard),alternate versions of songs (!!!), and demos from 1965 (!!!!) when the Doors were still looking for a record label. Besides the fact that another live version Of Roadhouse Blues wasn't really needed (still enjoyed thought) E.R. has earned 4 and 8/15 claps. Below are song descriptions.
Hello To The Cities (live)
just a quick less than a minute hi'yal to all the cities out there.
Break On Through (to the other side) (live)
THE BEST version of Break On Through that i've heard. The reason being because it contains an extended introduction with a back and forth playing of the keyboards and guitar and a longer guitar playing after the "She gets higher" part.
Roadhouse Blues (live)
If you've heard the greatest hits version of Roadhouse Blues this is what you get minus that part where Jim starts going off like Kajun Man.
Hyacinth House (demo)
This take one of hyacinth house is faster and without keyboard and drums. It's cool though and yes that is Densmore on the bongos.
Who Scared You (previously unreleased!)
A bluesy song that is more focused on Morrison's vocals than any other instrument, it has a cool beat that follows throughtout the song (and a cool chorus mind you)
Whiskey, Mystics and Men (live and unreleased!!)
A song that should have gone on Morrison Hotel because it goes along with the bar-room type drunken-men-chorus-blues (I argue that Morrison Hotel is the most bluesy of them all). It's a cool story that you can imagine being told to you by some drunk fool.
I Will Never Be Untrue (live and unreleased)
A slow blues song, that at sometimes can be funny such as the part where jim says "Never stay out drinking past 2... maybe 2:30".
Moonlight Drive (65' demo)
a very catchy song that was later put on the Strange Days album. This song is one of the two 1965 demos where Jim sounds a little diffrent and the recording isn't quite the best yet.
Queen The Highway (alternate version)
a extremely catchy song. This hipster version of Queen Of The Highway sounds like something you'd hear in a lounge singing room with a piano to boast.
Someday Soon (live and unreleased)
This song starts out slow but then starts to pick up as he says "And I'd hate to remind you but you're going to die" which goes along with the title. A good song that sounds like it should have been on Waiting for The Sun or Morrison Hotel.
Hello, I Love You (65' demo)
this faster version of Hello I love You also has harmonica being played after every verse, very cool. It's also cool to know that the Doors had one of their biggest hits made quite a ways before they released it.
Orange County Suite (previously unreleased)
A song that is slow and bluesy provides a good story right? Yes. Where this previously unreleased song would go is tough to say though. I would guess it would work best on their first album.
The Soft Parade (live)
Possibly the best song on the cd. This song goes through so many styles of songs it's mind blasting. But it was recorded on television which means the it was recorded badly, still cool.
The End (live)
What more can be said about the end? I would be best for me not to explain it but just to say this version is one of the longest at 18 minutes and a few more lines are added in.
(Bonus Track) Woman Is A Devil (unreleased)
why they call it a bonus track I don't know (note from kal: E.R. is a greatest hits out of the 1997 Boxed Set [the taller black one with live+unreleased stuff], and Woman is a Devil was a rarity, but it wasn't in the boxed set, making it bonus track. But I can't say for sure why it wasn't in the boxed set to begin with, but I don't think it's right to put it after "The End"). This song provides the first words said on the tribute song "The Cosmic Movie" "Me and the devil gonna take you on a long and evil ride" for those of you offended remember what the song title is and just exactly who jim's really referring to.
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