Ha, you have hit on my favourite from 67.
Probably one of the greatest debut albums ever made. When it was released in January 1967 it sounded ahead of its time and it still sounds very current. For me the mark of an all time great is that you never tire of it, there is always just a little bit more it reveals at every listen.
Jimbo was one of the first that fused rock music and (his own) poetry and that remained a trademark of the band throughout their career. Its brilliant that a few tracks (Light my fire, The End) from it have been chosen for the playlist but honestly there is not a poor or filler track on the album and any one of the songs could quite easily have made it on.
The Doors influenced many future bands, Ray Manzareks keyboard work fundamental to their sound.
Manzarek was the most jazz-influenced member of the band. He studied classical music and later jazz at DePaul University in Chicago. He was influenced by artists like John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk, and his jazz background gave him a unique approach to the keyboard. He didn’t just stick to traditional rock or blues structures, incorporating elements of jazz improvisation and harmonic sophistication into his playing. His use of jazz-influenced chord progressions and his ability to create atmospheric and dynamic sounds on the organ were key elements of the band's distinctive style.
While Robbie Krieger wasn’t formally trained in jazz, his guitar playing shows a significant influence from jazz, especially in terms of his use of unconventional chords and modal playing. He studied flamenco guitar, but his playing style also drew on jazz improvisation, particularly in his solos, which often felt free-flowing and exploratory, much like jazz solos. He was known for experimenting with different musical styles, blending blues, jazz, and rock elements into his playing.
Densmore had some jazz training, having studied under the famous jazz drummer Tony Williams who was part of the Miles Davis Quintet. Densmore's drumming style was highly influenced by jazz rhythms and polyrhythms, which made him a very versatile player. His subtle, dynamic playing could shift between more straightforward rock beats and intricate, jazz-inspired patterns, contributing to the band's ability to create fluid, organic music.
Paul Rothchilds production maintained the 'live' feel of the recording which was done very quickly with very few overdubs. This was made possible by the band honing their material as part of their residency at the Whisky A Gogo
I could go on and on (not like me) but will leave it there. If you haven't listened to the album, please do.
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