V.A. – Light My Fire : A Classic Rock Salute To The Doors (2014)

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A star-studded syndicate of Classic / Melodic Hard Rock legends have gathered together to pay tribute to one of the best loved and most influential bands of all-time: The Doors, on a new CD release titled “Light My Fire – A Classic Rock Salute To The Doors” released by Cleopatra Records today.
Produced by the extraordinarily talented Billy Sherwood, the album features brand new interpretations of classic Doors cuts that defined an entire generation, songs such as “Light My Fire,” “Riders On The Storm,” “Break On Through (To The Other Side),” “Love Her Madly,” “L.A. Woman,” “People Are Strange,” and lots more!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear some of The Doors’ peers and prodigies tackle these seminal songs. Not one but two members of quintessential progsters Yes, keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman and lead guitarist Steve Howe, joined Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan on the signature song, “Light My Fire”.
Wakeman explains, “has always been one of those iconic tracks that keyboard players listen to because of the fact that there are so few tracks with keyboard/organ solos on them compared to our six-stringed buddies.”

Another keyboard legend, Geoff Downes, likewise extolled the genius of Doors’ organist Ray Manzarek saying, “It was a real privilege to be asked to participate in this project. Ray Manzarek was one of the pioneers of keyboard playing in rock music, and had a major influence on me and many others. His style was totally unique, and an integral element into what made The Doors sound the way they did.”
Meanwhile, renegade guitarist Steve Morse, of Dixie Dregs / Deep Purple fame, recollects that The Doors were “a soundtrack, literally, for some of the most memorable times, good and bad, that I experienced as a young teen”. Morse rocks on “Touch Me”, alongside ex- Dream Theater Jordan Rudess.

We have all time favorite singers as well here: Jimi Jamison on the classic “L.A. Woman”, ex- Foreigner living legend Lou Gramm on “Love Me Two Times”, Joe Lynn Turner cracking “Riders On The Storm”, Graham Bonnet (ex- Rainbow) doing “The Soft Parade”, Mr. Big’s Eric Martin on “Spanish Caravan”, Ian Gillan and more.

Lately Billy Sherwood has been conducting this type of tribute albums, and most the time with successful results. Add “Light My Fire – A Classic Rock Salute To The Doors” to the positive list.
He has managed to capture The Doors essence and transported it to a melodic rock canvas. It’s a real pleasure listening some of these talented cats again (many quite retired from today’s music scene) such as Lou Gramm, Jimi Jamison, Christopher North (Ambrosia) or David Johansen, all delivering very good performances.
Recommended Stuff.

1. L.A. Woman
Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash) & Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues)

2. Love Me Two Times
Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Thijs van Leer (Focus) & Larry Coryell

3. Roadhouse Blues
Leslie West (Mountain), Brian Auger & Rod Piazza

4. Love Her Madly
Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge) & Mick Box (Uriah Heep)

5. Riders On The Storm
Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Tony Kaye (Yes) & Steve Cropper (Booker T)

6. The Crystal Ship
Edgar Winter & Chris Spedding

7. Intro (People Are Strange)
Keith Emerson, Jeff Skunk Baxter & Joel Druckman (John Fahey)

8. People Are Strange
David Johansen (NY Dolls) & Billy Sherwood (Yes)

9. Touch Me
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Steve Morse (Deep Purple) & Nik Turner (Hawkwind)

10. The Soft Parade
Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Christopher North (Ambrosia) & Steve Hillage (Gong)

11. Hello, I Love You
Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) & Roye Albrighton (Nektar)

12. Spanish Caravan
Eric Martin (Mr. Big) & Elliot Easton (The Cars)

13. Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)
Todd Rundgren & Geoff Downes (Yes / Asia) & Zoot Horn Rollo (Capt. Beefheart)

14. Break On Through (To The Other Side)
Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) & Chick Churchill (Ten Years After)

15. Light My Fire
Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Rick Wakeman (Yes) & Steve Howe (Yes)

16. The End
Pat Travers & Jimmy Greenspoon (Three Dog Night)

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Light-My-Fire-Classic-Salute/dp/B00K03YWQU
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