
I must admit, I thought The Doors were like a musical well running dry after “Paris Blues.” But lo and behold, they’ve found a way to make fans break open their piggy banks yet again with “The Doors – Live At The Matrix 1967: The Original Masters.”
The Doors were performing in San Francisco in March of 1967, during the beginning of spring. They were scheduled for five shows at a small venue called The Matrix. Despite their undeniable talent, the performances were sparsely attended. Little did they know, those seemingly unremarkable nights would later prove to be worth much more than they could have ever imagined. The recordings from those shows would become a pivotal part of their musical legacy.
Peter Abram, one of the co-owners of The Matrix, was pivotal in preserving the music scene of the era. Originally a pizza parlor, The Matrix was ingeniously transformed into a thriving nightclub that exclusively showcased counterculture music. Abram’s role was not just that of an observer, but also that of a meticulously keen recordist who captured the live magic that unfolded within The Matrix’s intimate confines. Along with Marty Balin, one of the founders of Jefferson Airplane, Abram passionately nurtured the burgeoning counterculture music scene worth experiencing.
During that fateful week between March 7th and 11th in 1967, Peter Abram turned his recording equipment toward the stage where The Doors were performing. Little did he realize that these recordings would give rise to one of the most legendary bootlegs in the band’s history. These uninhibited, raw performances by The Doors at The Matrix would become a cherished treasure for music enthusiasts, offering a unique glimpse into the band’s early days and their journey toward stardom.
Abram’s dedication to documenting live music experiences not only provided a valuable historical record but also contributed significantly to The Doors’ enduring legacy. These tapes captured the essence of a band on the brink of greatness, and they continue to be celebrated as a testament to the power of live music and the pivotal role that passionate individuals like Peter Abram played in preserving the magic of that era.
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1 | Bags’ Groove (Instrumental) [Live at The Matrix, San Francis |
2 | Back Door Man (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) |
3 | My Eyes Have Seen You (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
4 | Soul Kitchen (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) |
5 | All Blues (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) [20 |
6 | Get Out of My Life Woman (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, |
7 | When the Music’s Over (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
8 | Close to You (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) |
9 | Crawling King Snake (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3 |
10 | I Can’t See Your Face in My Mind (Live at The Matrix, San Fr |
11 | People Are Strange (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/ |
12 | Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) [Live at The Matrix, San Francisco |
13 | The Crystal Ship (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/ |
14 | Twentieth Century Fox (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
Disc: 2
1 | Moonlight Drive (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/6 |
2 | Summer’s Almost Gone (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
3 | Unhappy Girl (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) |
4 | Woman Is a Devil / Rock Me Baby (Live at The Matrix, San Fra |
5 | Break on Through (To the Other Side) [Live at The Matrix, Sa |
6 | Light My Fire (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) |
7 | The End (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/7/67) [2023 |
8 | My Eyes Have Seen You (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
9 | Soul Kitchen (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/67) |
10 | I Can’t See Your Face in My Mind (Live at The Matrix, San Fr |
11 | People Are Strange (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/ |
12 | When the Music’s Over (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
Disc: 3
1 | Money (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/67) [2023 |
2 | Who Do You Love (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/ |
3 | Moonlight Drive (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/ |
4 | Summer’s Almost Gone (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA |
5 | I’m a King Bee (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/6 |
6 | Gloria (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/67) [2023 |
7 | Break on Through (To the Other Side) [Live at The Matrix, Sa |
8 | Summertime (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/67) [ |
9 | Back Door Man (Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA 3/10/67 |
10 | Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) [Live at The Matrix, San Francisco |
11 | The End (Partial) / Let’s Feed Ice Cream to the Rats [Live a |