Morrison Hotel (Hard Rock Cafe/Morrison Hotel) - Doors (The) (CD 1988)

As a rule the Doors are known for poetic, "psychedelic" epics like "The end" or "when the music's over" or else they are adored by "angst-ridden" teenagers, who view the Oliver Stone movie and consider themselves Doors "fans". Morrison Hotel/Hard rock cafe is an album which gleefully pours cold scorn on the "mystic" or "shaman" image.
THe cover and inlay card design alone attracted me to this cd when I bought it at mid price six years ago, aged 15! At the time the Stone movie was still relatively current and I remember groups of Suede/Stone Roses trendies of the time watching the movie and proclaiming themselves "hippies" or "Jim fans" overnight. However the artwork of this cd (the band propped up at a dodgy looking dive) seemed to belie this image, so I bought it along with "L.A. Woman", as an introduction to the Doors
Track one "Roadhouse Blues" is the best known song included here, it is an excellent bluesy "Pub rock" tune. Song two, "Waiting for the Sun" is presumably an out take from the earlier album of the same name. It is moody, poetic and powerful, unlike the music on the actual "waiting.." album. "You make me real" is a charming, old fashioned rock number that is short and sweet. It sounds like it was written by some young garage band, but it fits in well on this cd.
"Peace Frog" is the only "political" track included, alluding to Morrison's arrest for inciting riots at concerts!! It's also included to great effect on "American Prayer" mixed with Jim's drunken rantings. "Blue sunday" is a short ballad, which is probably the type of number that was intended for the "Soft Parade" album. It's vastly superior to anything on "..Parade", it is a genuine ballad as opposed to sentimental slop.
"Ship of fools" features some raucous guitar work and lyrical allusions to hippie ideals ("Along came mr.goodtrips" etc) and "Land Ho!" is the stand out among the rockier numbers here, with Jim's voice on fine form.
THe three "quieter" numbers "The spy" "Queen of the highway" and "Indian Summer" are all faultless. "Queen.." is actually one of my favourite Doors tracks. THe guitar playing has a slight
Latin/Calypso feel but it thankfully avoids the cheesiness of the "Soft Parade" album (did I mention I hate the Soft parade album??) "Indian Summer" is dominated by Ray Manzarek's keyboards and is very atmospheric. THe closing "Maggie M'Gill" is similar to "Roadhouse Blues" with more humour involved.
Although I'm a petty little nitpicker in most things, I really cannot pick any holes in this album. It is the Doors best since all tracks at least merit a 4/5 rating and most deserve full marks. There's none of the "filler" material here which bogs down their better known albums, only good intelligent blues rock. A must have for any Doors fan!!!