| Review by Audioflea February 28, 2013 (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Sonics:   |
First-time release of The Doors 6-album catalog on SACD from Analog Productions. Each disc contains both multi-channel and stereo. The surround sound layer comes from the original 96K, 24-bit files that were originally mixed and mastered for the 2006 DVD Audio Doors/Perception release. For stereo purists, the re-mastered, hi-rez stereo layers on all of the discs are fantastic and have never sounded better. However, in my opinion, it’s the multi-channel presentation that, when done right, takes this music to a whole different level. My reviews are based solely on the quality and fullness of the stage presence of the multi-channel layer of each respective disc in the set.
On the classic 1-10 scale, IMHO, here’s how each disc ranks in quality and fullness of the stage presence of the 5.1 layer. Strange Days (9) The Soft Parade (9), LA Woman (8.5), Morrison Hotel (7.5), Waiting for the Sun (7), The Doors (3)
Note that, with few exceptions, the multi-channel layer on all of the Doors discs puts Jim Morrison’s vocal almost exclusively in the center channel, so your enjoyment of the surround-sound experience is going to be directly proportional to the quality of your center speaker. And what better reason to upgrade your CC?
Morrison Hotel:
Vocals & drums may drive this Blues machine, but it’s the keyboards that float it.
Guitars are well represented in the FR/FL, and are sometimes isolated to the back. This is really successful in songs like “Land Ho”, which match the feel of the musical atmosphere... but can on occasion, sound a bit hollow on songs like "Queen of the Highway". Some of the strongest, Morrison “Blues Man”, moments of the 6 disc set is captured on Morrison Hotel and is represented in full texture and clarity in the front channel; displaying vocal intricacies and nuances that I’ve never heard before.
Highlights include:
Track 1—Roadhouse Blues; A wall of Vocal and Bass, flanked on either side by guitar and drums. And among this onslaught of gritty blues comes a blues harp, declaring its presence in the background.
Track 2—Waiting for the sun; Guitars rip back and forth through the soundstage. Snares, cymbals, and bass pour out of the front channel, crisp and clear. The keyboards are just a cloud of sound; signaling the imminence of what is sure to come.
Track 7—Land Ho; Really great use of isolated guitar; trading off in the rear channels and echoes in the foggy distance. Manzarik’s keyboards, ballasting the ship from port to stern, and Morrison’s vocal forging full steam ahead from the front.
If you’re a Doors Fan, then this is a no-brainer.
“The future is uncertain, and the end is always near”—J.M.
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