Classical Composer Reacts to The Doors: The Soft Parade | The Daily Doug (Episode 641)

[@PlutoniumBoss]

A less-discussed track by the Doors that deserves more attention: Spanish Caravan.

[@MakoyUnggoy]

What a great track, I love how the guitar changes from acoustic to electric half way through

[@new_mercury5367]

My 11 year old son doesn't listen to much I do and he can probably name one Doors song and it's Spanish Caravan!

[@sanderhamerslag7050]

What about My Eyes Have Seen You or I Can't See Your Face In My Mind(which has kind of an Japanese/Asian vibe) ?

[@dougthornton6884]

Great song, agreed.. I really like the Waiting for the Sun album....

[@BakerOrDie123]

The flamenco guitar intro. Oh it's so good.

[@fokker2344]

When The Musics Over, and The End are also great Doors songs that you should listen to

[@splitimage137.]

Yes. These two are their "magnum opuses" or "magnum opii??" [Is the root Greek or Latin - I HATES grammers!]

[@rickandgen]

Yes!!! But must do the Absolutely Live version. The interplay with the audience is quintessential Morrison!

[@sledzeppelin]

Also: Riders On The Storm, LA Woman

[@36karpatoruski]

Studio versions on these? Sonically vastly superior. Audio quality with their sound system and/or recording engineers talent on their live album does not reflect well on the band’s abilities. One should always do the live albums, but after the studio recording.

[@tazzatamania]

I've always liked Whiskey Bar

[@NDE239]

Finally, somebody reacts to the soft parade. Thank you

[@davidjuby7392]

I always took this as a musical parade with each section being a different float playing a different song and you are just sitting there listening to it go by

[@martinrobinson936]

Great interpretation!

[@davidjuby7392]

thank you @@martinrobinson936

[@johnstorton]

@@martinrobinson936 I was gonna say that! :)

[@aquatichighs]

Just blew my mind

[@henry-lee-music]

Been a Doors fan for decades now. The Soft Parade is such a great piece (the term "song" obviously doesn’t fit). Ranges from delicate beauty to poisonous drive. Monumental track.

[@eristicfreethinker2098]

Monumental album.

[@justinscrivner5457]

All of Morrison's heroes are artists and writers. He used rock and roll as a platform to create art and share that with everyone.

[@tomhenninger4153]

My FAVORITE DOORS SONG! Nice pick! Amazingly powerful! And so creative! "But it's getting harder To describe Sailors To the underfed" Thanks Doug!

[@TsunamiBeefPies]

YES!!! My favorite line from the song (and Doug talked over it). The power of his voice when he sings "But it's getting harder" puts chills down my spine every time.

[@kenlight3793]

Superb, thank you! I wore the vinyl out on this album back in the day. It starts with "Tell All the People" and "Touch Me" and ends with "Soft Parade" - an eclectic mix of great rock, jazz, and blues end-to-end.

[@johnschuler4816]

That's Doug Lubahn on the bass -- he was an acquaintance of mine, a fine human being. He told me many stories about his time with Jim and the band... Jim was quite difficult to work with but it was clearly one of the defining experiences of his career.

[@Williamottelucas]

Okay, so it wasn't all Ray's foot pedals, as I'd been led to believe.

[@eugenegd2112]

Harvey Brooks plays the bass guitar for Soft Parade (song). peace

[@eugenegd2112]

​@@WilliamottelucasManzarek used a Fender Rhodes piano bass and not foot pedals. However, in the studio they used various bass players for precision and bottom.

[@johnschuler4816]

@@eugenegd2112 I was gonna correct you on this, but I dug a bit and you are correct as it turns out: Harvey Brooks - bass guitar on "Tell All the People", "Touch Me", "Shaman's Blues", "Do It", "Runnin' Blue" and "The Soft Parade" Doug Lubahn - bass guitar on "Easy Ride", "Wild Child" and "Wishful Sinful" (According to Wikipedia anyway). Doug wasn't too crazy about this album, I liked it better than he did. :)

[@eugenegd2112]

@@johnschuler4816 It is also on the liner notes of The Soft Parade (CD version).

[@rickandgen]

Great reaction Doug. The Doors were my absolute favorite band as a young teenager in the early eighties. Ironically, they sold more albums and had massive popularity during the eighties than they did when Jim was still alive.

[@mjeffn2]

I was a teenager in the late 60s and early 70s. I don’t think you’re right about that. The Doors were huge and at the very top of the culture.

[@geegaz1057]

Great to see this fantastic track getting some much deserved attention.

[@SenatorBluto]

Jim in 1967: "Hey, let's go become rockstars and make a million bucks." Ray: "Sounds good, man."

[@bigbow62]

Jim shyly sang...,Moonlight Drive that magic day on the beach with Ray ✌️🙂

[@stuarthouse-w6o]

SO many brilliant one off quotes that 'one' can champion after the fact and the moment has gone , for me its a lyric ' ''tell you this no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn'' try coming up with one your own its hard, Jim did it as easy as breathing .

[@TheTygers]

It was '65 on the beach, Venice a nice warm sunny day in a strange empty town ⛱

[@Rhiannon011]

If you liked and could handle the soft parade song, may I suggest another "very very interesting song' by the doors >"Not to touch the earth", it will take you on an intense "ride". These two songs are my very favorites of Jim Morrison and the doors.

[@Sadpotatoirl2010]

Should be up there with their best songs. Amazing.

[@mickeyshooter5298]

How about “End of the Night” The Doors are so damn good. Anyone who disagrees doesn’t know music.

[@camronbay1]

Oh this one is intense.

[@camronbay1]

@@mickeyshooter5298Absolutely.

[@midkingsteve]

"When the music's over" and "the end" !! Thanks for doing the doors!!

[@billhawkins1236]

If I could offer my opinion of the next direction to go with the Door's, #1 The celebration of the lizard, from absolutely live. #2. When the Music's Over from Strange Days #3 Shaman's Blue's from Soft Parade You'd have to do " Celebration" on a long song Friday.😎👍👍👍

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Critics did NOT like this album. Personally, I think it's their best. Love the brass. Love the different musical elements. Perfection.

[@eristicfreethinker2098]

The Soft Parade was the first album I bought with my own money. Every song was magical then and still feels that way.

[@stefanblue660]

I loved that song immediately after first listen as great Doors- Fan in the 80s until today . Different sounds and grooves, but still the Doors ,and very cinematic !

[@Will.Peter.]

You are a kind of person who I love to be a friend. Thanks brother!

[@strummer3162]

I have been waiting so long for you to do this song! It always was my favourite song by the band and I knew, with all the changes, you'd find it very interesting.

[@betseyr.9081]

Jim, Ian Anderson and Robert Plant… best thought provoking lyrics in rock from these three guys… we were all robbed when "The Poet" meet his early end, RIP Jim and Ray… Suggestions, "Break On Through”, “Crystal Ship”, "Soul Kitchen”, "Moonlight Drive" and "Runnin’ Blue” (didn’t see anyone else mention those yet). Two outstanding covers from The Doors, "Back Door Man” and "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)”.

[@melissayost4888]

Don’t forget Pete Townsend. I’d put him ahead ahead of Plant all week long.

[@ceridwenattwood5784]

Also "Texas Radio and the Big Beat."

[@flickurseanbean_1]

Absolutely great reaction! "The End" from their first album is another song worth a listen

[@SmilyLord800]

Every song is worth

[@flickurseanbean_1]

@@SmilyLord800 Absolutely

[@dmstewart66]

I've always thought the different sections are supposed to be like different floats in one big parade. All these little unique and wild things that come together in one big spectacle with a common theme.

[@DRAGON_FAN_TIM]

Such a great trippy song. One of my favorite groups. Listen to The End by the doors

[@scottmcley5111]

Jim singing over Rays playing at the beginning is the best part of the trip.

[@sledzeppelin]

That’s the part I really like.

[@SmilyLord800]

I really hoped the rest would be the same

[@emarsk77]

What a gem. It's been many years since I've listened to this song. One of my favourite of theirs.

[@paulbsteele67]

It is a very diverse sounding album. Runnin’ Blue is one of my favorites for the horns and bluegrass legend, Jesse McReynolds played mandolin on it. Jesse is a cousin and no one in the family ever talked about him playing on a Doors album.

[@jc3745]

L.A. Woman - The consummate song about Los Angeles

[@jameswarner5809]

This is effectively a medley - a Forest Gump 'box of chocolates' and for me, they're all creamy centres!

[@PlutoniumBoss]

It's music written like Monty Python wrote episodes. You don't need a segue, just a snap cut to something completely different.

[@pablovandyck]

Morrison Hotel is my favorite album by the Doors. You can't go wrong with any track from it.

[@lourenzi8820]

Absolutely. Waiting for the Sun is my favorite Doors tune.

[@dougthornton6884]

Me also....Wintertime Love, in waltz time....@@lourenzi8820

[@jacobgarcia3877]

I do have to say at first listen it didn’t appeal to me but as time went on it grew on me. This song in particular requires multiple listens to truly appreciate it and i firmly believe this is a very underrated song a very unique one that deserves respect and one of the greatest 🤧

[@mrddcass6540]

All 6 albums before Morrison died are all amazing front to back.

[@markgatica12]

Hey Doug, thanks for visiting this song. My favorite song by The Doors.

[@dennstein]

they released 6 albums in 4 years and (at least for me) they're all amazing. thank you.

[@tkengathegrateful4844]

In college, I smoked a lot of dope and played a lot of backgammon to this album, Bowie's "Heroes," and Buffalo Springfield's "Retrospective".

[@shredofmalarchi]

Doors are my favorite American classic rock band! Roadhouse Blues and L.A. Woman are legendary.

[@allengator1914]

"Wishful Sinful" is my favorite song from the Doors "Soft Parade" "Soft Parade" think of each section of the song as another parade float passing by.

[@Stormheart911]

While I can see how this album isn't for everyone, I'm one of those Doors fans that really likes it a lot. There's a wandering freedom to it that I've always found appealing. For your next listen I would recommend any of the standard Doors hits. They're all really good! If you want to stay in the weeds a little bit longer though try "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)". Which (on most days) is my favorite Door's tune.

[@brentbrown563]

Spanish Caravan. The guitar introduction takes you to a place you've never been, but always longed to be

[@SportstalkwithMac]

Here are a few shorter Doors songs that you may enjoy: Peace Frog The WASP: Texas radio and the big beat Alabama song Yes the River Knows On the other hand, if you want a NON Doors song, where someone is trying to imitate The Doors, check out Friends of Mine by The Guess Who

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

Doug you are a rare breed of clarity in moments of chaos built into the account of the original experience.

[@stoppropaganda2573]

I would love to hear your opinion of An American Prayer ... released after Jim had passed but features him in poetry and spoken word. Its a must listen from beginning to end, beat suited for an extended play as there are no songs per se ... just a narrative and its brilliant!

[@thegridrunner9976]

I was thinking the same thing. Not so much as a song analysis but to understand the way Morrison saw the world and his skills of interpreting his observations. Spoken word over music as few others could pull off.

[@sanderhamerslag7050]

Next try The Celebration Of The Lizard it has a similar structure of various different musical styles and actual poetry,it was only officially (live) availabe for a long time on The Absolutely Live album(which I still think is the best version)

[@walstib1989]

What you have to understand about Jim first of all is the fact that his father was THE Admiral of the Navy! The man had an eidetic memory as well. He was well educated and extremely literate. The fact that he and Ray happened upon each other one day at the beach is iconic. I am the LIZARD KING I can do ANYTHING!

[@DustyEffsky]

Thanks! Dig your explications and the appreciate the joy you find in this music!

[@Doug.Helvering]

My thanks for tuning in, happy I can share the joy of music with you!

[@egroegmcdonald9870]

Yeah, Great music that all you need to do is to listen. Imagine that,

[@daveking9393]

Nice job with one of my favorites by them. Thanks for sharing

[@MDIman42]

Thinking on your feet - good job, Doug! Great reaction - thank you!

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

Such a great band. They were so creative and were such great musicians. Listening to this track one can hear why Morrison is one of the great Rock icons. Your articulacy and enthusiasm are admirable, Doug. It's nice how you can get technical without being pretentious and too serious while at the same time having a sense of humor to maintain a good balance. Have you done "L.A . Woman"? That's another one of the band's great epics you should touch on.

[@jeanninedoyle9523]

When the Music’s Over

[@jeanninedoyle9523]

The Doors have been thrown out of many Clubs, TV shows and now the Daily Doug

[@timpafundi6321]

It’s my favorite Doors song. It’s like they shoved 5 different bits of songs together but it totally works

[@onemerlin]

If you're looking for more Doors, I would definitely recommend The End and Till the Music's Over. Frankly, the entire first album is tremendous, and every track is worth listening to. 1967 saw debut albums from The Doors, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix - all transformative groups, all worth the time to investigate. A heck of a year for rock music. On the more personal side, this was a track I used to audition speakers and stereo equipment for over twenty years; the variety of musical styles and the impeccable engineering and production made it a great way to see how something handled multiple music styles and serious dynamics, using modern music. (Also on the persistent list - Tori Amos "Winter" and King Crimson "Larks Tongues in Aspic Part 1".)

[@goodwintrent4453]

Harvey Brooks on bass - they chose wisely.

[@danroenna5439]

I love your reviews so much. Thank you

[@Norm6671]

Musically, this is one of my favorite songs of all time. For the Doors it's up there with any of their more well-known tunes for me. Great reaction.

[@Sadpotatoirl2010]

Thank you for bring The Doors here, finally. Checkout their first 2 album as it defines their truest tone. I need more times to appreciate this album.

[@anthonyv6962]

Good choice, one I don't hear all the time. Always enjoy you reactions, thank you.

[@sethbank6425]

I'm proud to be a part of this number.

[@paulgilbert9346]

Hi Doug - you should give Horse Latitudes a listen…. A wild piece that I think you will get some great takes from.

[@melissayost4888]

Spanish Caravan is my favorite song off this album. The last section of this is reminiscent of earlier Doors music which is my favorite the exception being L.A. Woman which is a Rocking wonder. You said you never know what to expect from The Doors & that couldn’t be more true for their first & finest three albums. FYI-when I was in college in the early 80s The Doors were more popular & selling more albums than in the 60s. Oops Morrison Hotel which has L.A. Woman on it. My bad. A must listen.

[@linedwell]

It's almost a Suite, like Peer Gynt Suite No 1 Starts with a light Morning Mood and dances through several themes and styles and gets to the Mountain King by the end. I love it. But some despise it. Brilliant Suite.

[@drskelebone]

The Soft Parade is a musical turning point. I remember listening to it from my dad, my brother, and then finally me. It gave me the words of blasphemy I use today.

[@markastoforoff7838]

Amazing song even though some people didn't appreciate it. Morrison was a genius, I'm talking MENSA genius category. He was a voracious reader he could say to someone open whatever book he had in his library of books, open it to any page and he could recite every single word, whether it be the philosophical writings of Friedrich Nietzsche or Aldous Huxley or the hundreds of other books he read. Unfortunately when it came to substance abuse especially alcohol we wasn't very smart.

[@dogbarbill]

I first heard this in August 1969 when I was 14. I have an original vinyl 33rpm copy of the album. We had a progressive FM station that played this. All the lyrics were included, and I still have it.

[@piafounetMarcoPesenti]

Riders on the storm wasn't the last recorded song (this was L'America), simply the last song on the album. Yep, big fan here.

[@piafounetMarcoPesenti]

By the way, the '69 filmed live version of The Soft Parade is something. Talk about fire.

[@ralpholson7616]

The second, up tempo, part of this song always felt very Zappa-esque to me.

[@fredsawtelle1833]

The "Strange Days" album has always been a favorite of mine. If you play the titular song and Horse Lattitudes, I recommend something a little stronger than your choice for Hocus Pocus. And When the Music's Over features, once again, Morrison's fascination with death.

[@shredofmalarchi]

I can't believe a piano guy didn't jam along with Ray!!!!

[@jazzpunk]

This is a trip...Harvey Brooks on bass...my favourite band when I was a 6th Grader...picked this LP up for $1.99 as a cut-corner, circa 1971(?). MORRISON HOTEL & WAITING FOR THE SUN, too. Not sure why these LPs were already discounted. Did the powers consider them "done"? Psychedelic Pop music in the late '60s...they weren't cooked...we're still listening! 😊

[@michaelhayes8019]

Jim had a great uncle named Reverend Bill Stidger who was an Evangelist media star.

[@PK1971PK]

I never did understand why this song never got as much praise as the other two opuses by the Doors, "The End" and "When the Music's Over". And, yeah, the album was panned by a lot of critics--I got my vinyl copy of it out of the cutout bin in the early seventies--and there were a bunch in that bin. It may be true that it is the weakest of the Doors albums, but it is still chock full of good music, IMO.

[@kelvinkloud]

its not as tight as those 2 songs. I like it too, but I dont think its on the level musically, nor performance wise of the end & wtmo. those songs build up so much tension & compressed energy, along w/ great lyrics.

[@SmilyLord800]

I think Waiting For The Sun is worse

[@jazzpunk]

Bought mine in the cutout bin, too. MORRISON HOTEL & WAITING FOR THE SUN, as well. Any idea why these LPs were discounted so early after their release?

[@bigbow62]

Jim was a poet first and that really comes through in this song ✌️🙂 Moonlight Drive Roadhouse Blues When the Musics Over The End Five to One .....and yes The Doors are my favorite group ever since I first heard Riders On the Storm on a rainy day in the early 70's riding through the mountains of New Hampshire with my sister and her boyfriend

[@billh4802]

Great pick.... such an interesting and creative song.

[@kennethkoswener485]

"The Soft Parade" is Morrison's view of life and the population.

[@manlioyllades]

That's a great song! Harvey Brooks was the bass player on this track, by the way

[@bravery2047]

Thank you for reviewing this song. It's a really interesting song and your view of it representing a trip down the Sunset Boulevard which is a metaphor of life itself is very insightful. This makes me want to listen to this song more. I would suggest When the Music's Over (for a longer song) or Break on Through (for a short one).

[@chad9017]

Whether anyone loves or hates poetry. From the lyrics to the performance and music that's what it is. One of a kind. Don't worry if u hate it. It won't be repeated.

[@Alexj_movieguy]

Such a great track! The Doors have been my favorite band since high school. I was first introduced to them by my older brother back in elementary school. The song was Riders on the Storm.

[@gjhf11]

Yay - Doug reviews the Doors at last, one of the most creative, influential bands of all time in my book. Please do 'When the Music's Over'. It's around 11 mins long and mind blowing in a good way!

[@gerryrafferty7500]

My favourite doors song , I had started my philosophy degree when I first heard this and was obsessed with poetry

[@musicdunc]

this is the trip, the best part of the trip!

[@BobSiefken]

The bass line in the middle always reminds me of Rikki Don't Lose That Number every time I hear it.

[@egroegmcdonald9870]

Great groove and all. from LA Woman: WASP Texas Radio.

[@thegridrunner9976]

Peace Frog is a shorter track that points out the hypocrisy of the "summer of love" and the violence that accompanied it.

[@briangriffin5524]

Finally, American Classic Rock. 🎸🇺🇲

[@drskelebone]

"Almost"???? WHEN I WAS BACK THERE IN SEMINARY SCHOOL!!!! One of my faves, glad to see it in the queue. XD

[@christopherhuot2826]

Tks for not interrupting much you've gotten much better 😅😊

[@idastetis9173]

I mean, listen to the Celebration of the Lizard (New York live)

[@billpeters9999]

Jim's favorite singer and major vocal influence was Frank Sinatra, you can definitely hear this in songs like Blue Sunday

[@79tazman]

The Soft Parade is awesome one of many of my favorites of The Doors

[@mjeffn2]

Some of my favorite things when I was a kid: macaroni and cheese, baseball, bomb pops, and The Doors.

[@Scottlp2]

Thanks for the reminder-great song.

[@johnstorton]

Jim encouraged ALL the Doors' members to do some song-writing during the debut album. The experimental music you referenced was actually about the Seargent Pepper's album.

[@Sandy-dd4le]

I have a soft spot for The Soft Parade, and I've never said that gag before! Good to see it getting some love, it sometimes gets ignored. There's an interesting comment by Doors guitar player Robbie Kreiger, on the Soft Parade. Robbie has always maintained that using horns and strings was something that he and Ray had always talked about trying at some point, from the early days, and that he felt the band *had* to go through their Soft Parade period, in order to come back to their roots for Morrison Hotel and L A Woman.

[@jossoaktree]

Shaker solo , Nice !! 🔥

[@demastrieful]

This reaction had to happen. Thanks, Doug!

[@deancarter9210]

'Celebration Of The Lizard', another great diverse suite, darker in tone like 'The End' and 'When The Music's Over', never made it onto studio vinyl but was a centrepiece of 'Absolutely Live'.

[@bdpeters]

There's a pretty good live in a tv studio version of this that's worth a look. Another lengthy and deeper cut that never made a studio album is Rock Is Dead that I believe is a late night studio improv. I first heard it on a bootleg tape years ago but it took a much later cd box set for it to first officially surface.

[@jazzpunk]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6nIgaWVh7GGZtE

[@hippydippydude8895]

The End & When The Musics Over Definitely two songs to check out