Various Artists - Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors

More fun than any tribute album has a right to be, Stoned Immaculate is clearly a labor of love that manages to embrace the spirit of the Doors without regressing into parading a line of Jim Morrison impersonators through the studio. Much credit goes to producer Ralph Sall, who--in addition to setting up collaborations between the surviving Doors and an array of artists from John Lee Hooker to Days of the New--also breaks out the beats and samples to create a few "new" Doors tracks. While Sall is no Fatboy Slim (despite the winking nod to "Bird of Prey" during the fadeout of "Under Waterfall"), his reconstructions add texture and variety, especially when the late William Burroughs steps up to the mic. But the true highlights here are the more organic collaborations: the three remaining Doors backing Bo Diddley and Ian Astbury; an unexpectedly great "Love Me Two Times" from Aerosmith; and Stone Temple Pilots helping Kreiger and Manzarek "Break on Through" even harder on a track that threatens to transcend the original. Hell, even the weaker contributions beat out Jose Feliciano. Come to think of it, if the Doors are still auditioning Morrison replacements (Kevin Coyne and Howard Werth no longer being available), STP's Weiland, Creed's Stapp, or the Cult's Astbury all acquit themselves well enough here to warrant an offer. -- Bill Forman Amazon.com

Purchased this for my husband when it was released!!

I bought it when it was released for my husband and he loved it!!! Then, he lost it so I just purchased this from Amazon to replace the lost cd.



July 28, 2008

Days of The Doors

Being only 20, I missed the grandeur of The Doors heyday. However, I have been a huge fan. I am also a huge fan of the not-so-known band Days of the New. And I am proud to say that the two best tracks on this album are "LA Woman" and "The End," both performed by Travis Meeks.

But on the CD as a whole:

We start with a near perfect rendition of Break on Through that completely does this track justice. The vocals are perfect, the arrangement is amazing, and the track itself just moves right along. Incredibly well done. The only thing I wonder... is that opening part Jim or Scott?

The second track is Creed's "Riders on the Storm." When I first heard this, I was unimpressed. But I never skipped it when I listened to the CD, and this one grew on me until it became one of my favorite tracks on the album. I love the way it starts low, build to a serious climax, then just drops right back down. Awesome.

And now we have Train's cover of Light My Fire. To be honest, I actually like this cover (hides in anticipation of being hunted down... :D). Granted, it's probably the worst in context of the whole album, but for what it is, it's not all that bad.

It has been quite a long time since I listened to Smash Mouth. And I have to ask. Who is the guitarist playing with them? I didn't think their guitarist could play like that. But this cover of Peace Frog was really good.

And LA Woman. Like I said above, this track is freakin' brilliant! Best track on the album with The End. Travis Meeks does an amazing job.

Aerosmith does an amazing Love Me Two Times. Different from what I thought a tribute to this song would sound like, but better than what I thought, too. Plus, I love Aerosmith.

Under Waterfall and Cosmic Movie were actually very, very good, in my opinion. I loved how they were mixed and mastered. Now I need to get American Prayer on CD, I think.

Wild Child was also incredible. The Cult did an amazing job here.

I thought Roadhouse Rap was cool, and John Lee Hooker did a fine job with his part on Roadhouse Blues. Very, very cool.

"Well... I wanna tell you 'bout somethin' I know. Money beats soul, every time. Come on."

I love it!

Is Everybody In and Children of Night I though were also incredibly well-done. Very good tracks and great mixes. And it was cool hearing Morrison repeat "children of night" after Ian. Almost creepy, to be honest.

Touch Me was awesome. I was not impressed with Love Her Madly, though. It was kind of... a mess. I'm also mot that impressed with Hello, I Love You. Kind of strange, to be honest.

"The End," the other best track on this album, simply proves one thing... Travis Meeks is the best recreation of The Lizard King in existance,.. No body can sing The Doors better than Meeks. August 28, 2007

WOW!!!!

So many artists, so many Doors songs. I love the compilation of this disc. The artists range from Steven Tyler of Aerosmith to Days of the New, with some original songs thrown in for good measure. A phenomenal disc. August 23, 2007

one of the best rock tribute albums ever

I enjoy this more than any other artist tribute album I've ever heard, at least in the rock genre. Superb performances by all artists concerned, couple with excellent production values. Love the way clips of Morrison's poetry or between-song patter are mixed in here and there. March 3, 2007

Morrison lives

STONED IMMACULATE brings the DOORS nicely into the 21st Century with creative covers performed by obvious DOORS fans of considerable talent. Highlights include Smash Mouth's searing "Peace Frog," Morrison/Hooker's "Rock House Blues" duet, the "Cosmic Movie" DOORS collage, Oleander's juiced-up "Hello I Love You," and Ian Astbury's desyrupized "Touch Me."

This collection is certain to please lovers of late 60's rock as well as all DOORS fans.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME -- 71:38 February 17, 2007

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