Elektra / WEA
Release Date:6/20/2000
Recorded between 1965 & 1970.
Essential Rarities is a collection of rare demos and live tracks previously available only as a bonus disc in THE COMPLETE STUDIO RECORDINGS boxset. This was then reissued in 2000 as a single CD, containing studio cuts, live cuts and demos.
If you're a diehard Doors fan who didn't already purchase this CD along with "The Doors" box set, then chances are you will thoroughly enjoy "Essential Rarities," a superb collection of Doors demos, outtakes, and live recordings. On this disc you'll find such gems as the excellent "Soft Parade" leftover "Who Scared You" (which rightfully deserved to be included on that album), the drunken-bar tale of "Whiskey, Mystics And Men," the early 1965 demo of "Moonlight Drive" (with it's lighter vibe and Jim Morrison's softer vocal treatment), the cocktail-lounge alternate version of "Queen Of The Highway," the lovely "Orange County Suite," and the band's scorching live performances of "The Soft Parade" and "The End." I suppose casual listeners don't really need this album, but for the most faithful followers of The Doors, "Essential Rarities" is VERY essential stuff, no question about it.
Track listing
(All songs written by The Doors)
"Hello to the Cities" (recorded live on the Ed Sullivan Show 1967 & at Cobo Hall, Detroit 1970) – 0:56
"Break on Through" (recorded live at the Isle of Wight Festival, England 1970) – 4:32
"Roadhouse Blues" (recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York 1970) – 4:19
"Hyacinth House" (demo recorded at Robby Krieger's home studio 1969) – 2:40
"Who Scared You" (recorded at Elektra Studios 1969) – 3:16
"Whiskey, Mystics & Men" (recorded at Elektra Studios 1970) – 2:19
"I Will Never Be Untrue" (recorded live at the Aquarius Theater, Hollywood 1969) – 3:56
"Moonlight Drive" (demo recorded at World Pacific Studios 1965) – 2:31
"Queen of the Highway" (alternative version recorded at Elektra Studios 1969) – 3:32
"Someday Soon" (recorded live at the Seattle Center 1970) – 3:41
"Hello, I Love You" (demo recorded at World Pacific Studios 1965) – 2:28
"Orange County Suite" (recorded at Elektra Studios 1970) – 5:27
"The Soft Parade" (recorded live on PBS Television, New York 1969) – 10:03
"The End" (recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York 1970) – 18:01
"Woman Is a Devil" (bonus track, recorded at Elektra Studios 1969) – 4:08
Robby Krieger – guitar
Jim Morrison – vocals
Ray Manzarek – organ, piano, keyboards & bass
John Densmore – drums
Paul A. Rothchild – original producer
Bruce Botnick – producer
Danny Sugerman - Management