Los Angeles California, 1965, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek were two film students who came together with Robby Krieger and John Densmore to create one of the most inspirational and controversial rock bands of all time. The Doors rocketed into the music scene with their self-titled debut album in 1967. The Doors then went on to record six other albums, Strange Days, Waiting for the Sun, The Soft Parade, Morrison Hotel, Absolutely Live, and L.A. Woman.

Thirty years after the death of Jim Morrison we are again blessed with another ‘The Doors’ tribute disc. This time around we have all the members of The Doors back again (sans Jim Morrison of course) performing with six of the best rock vocalists in the industry. Ray Manzarek (Keyboardist), Robby Krieger (Guitarist) and John Densmore (Drummer) are back together for the first time in nearly thirty years to perform with artists such as Scott Stapp from ‘Creed’, Ian Astbury from ‘the Cult’, and Scott Weiland from ‘Stone Temple Pilots’.

This VH1 special is a fantastic collection of Doors songs, and unlike the ‘Stoned Immaculate’ CD that was released earlier this year, this concert actually has the original surviving members of the band playing along with the replacement vocalists. Of course it will always be impossible to replace Jim Morrison, but these singers all give a fitting tribute that pays the great man the respect he deserves.

1. L.A. Woman (Excerpt)
Perry Farrrell (Jane’s Addiction)
2. Love Me Two Times
Pat Monahan (Train)
3. Whiskey Bar
Ian Astbury (The Cult)
4. Back Door Man
Ian Astbury (The Cult)
5. The End
Travis Meeks (Days of The New)
6. Break On Through
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)
7. Five To One
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)
8. Light My Fire
Scott Stapp (Creed)
9. Roadhouse Blues
Scott Stapp (Creed)
10. Wild Child *Bonus Track*
Ian Astbury (The Cult)
11. Riders On The Storm *Bonus Track*
Scott Stapp (Creed)

The video on this disc is actually quite good. The footage was only recorded this year and for a live performance it comes up looking trumps. Film artefacts pop up on a couple of occasions, but only two or three were really noticeable though. Grain is a small problem, but it is consistent throughout the concert and appears to be more due to the film used rather than the transfer itself. Shadow detail is pretty good considering the lighting, and the colours are all vibrant and sharp. Overall this is a pretty tidy transfer.

Now this is what music discs should sound like. ‘Storytellers’ comes in not only Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dobly Digital 2.0 Stereo, but also in thumping DTS. The DTS soundtrack is obviously superior, but even the Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack (224Kb/s) comes out clear and with enough bass to keep any fan entertained. The DTS soundtrack has a whopping 1536Kb/s bit-rate that will leave you in a wobbling wreck of awe. The audio comes out perfectly clear, the bass is brilliant and the surround channels run constantly with a 3D immersion of the concert. The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack has a bit-rate of 448Kb/s, which is still nothing to be shy about. This disc has really just set the standard of how live concerts should recorded to DVD. Long live DTS and long live The Doors.

If you’re a Doors fan than this disc is another great addition to the collection. The soundtrack is superb and the performance by the band is magnificent. If you’re a Doors fan, then this is probably one of the best discs available. If only Jim Morrison could see this, I’m sure he’d be impressed.