This isn't intended to discount his work with the Doors, which in many (if not most) instances is remarkable, but just to point out that he also made a significant contribution (as producer for several albums, and playing organ in a most memorable way) to the success of X, one of the punk era's greatest bands.
I ranked "Los Angeles" as my 48th favorite album of all time, and in that review wrote this about his work on "The World's A Mess, It's In My Kiss":
And then you reach the album’s last song, and my favorite, “The World’s A Mess, It’s In My Kiss.” This is my favorite song on the album, it’s my favorite song by the band, and it’s one of my favorite songs, period. It contains one of my favorite moments of any song that I’ve heard – the organ solo by Ray Manzarek (of The Doors, who produced the album). At the point the solo begins, John and Exene are trading lines, and then suddenly, the organ takes center stage. All you hear is Zoom’s guitar, Doe’s bass, Bonebrake’s drums, and Manzarek’s incredible organ.
For me, it’s a supremely exciting moment. I’ve heard it hundreds if not thousands of times, and the feeling is always the same. I don’t want it to end, and I feel more alive while it is playing. At that moment, the lyrics and the themes don’t matter. All that is left is the music.
If you haven't heard it, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
1 comment:
As a long time and very loyal "X" fan, I appreciate the fact that you mentioned Ray Manzarek's accomplishments regarding "X". If it wasn't for him "X' would not be on the Punk Rock map PERIOD. All the original band members have spoke on that very fact many of times in interviews and also after meeting the band twice, I asked them about their relationship with him during and after they switched music labels and producers..it was all good, they always held a very high regard for him as a talented musician & producer. Thank you so much for this post!
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