[MUSIC ~ UK]

Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Wed 31 Jul.

It’s a sold-out show at The Gov tonight, where the masses have assembled to get as close as they can to a live performance from the late, lamented Doors. The Doors Alive, a UK tribute outfit that have been touted as the best going around, are here to fill some big shoes indeed.

Kicking off with L.A. Woman, it’s clear that these guys are no fly-by-night operation. They know their stuff, as they ought to. The Mr Mojo Risin’ section is met with raucous enthusiasm from the floor as the song climaxes. Riders On The Storm is next, another guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The set continues in this vein; a short list of extended versions of the band’s hits, similar to those heard on the Absolutely Live and Alive, She Cried albums. Songs often feature riffs and lyrics from other works, not always Doors’ numbers, just to add to the variety. The epic When The Music’s Over closes the first stanza.

Swathed in a predominantly blue glow, he certainly looks and sounds like Jim Morrison. The vocals are good, they sound genuine and very impressive. Occasionally, when attempting some of the more powerful vocal lines, the voice strays a little from the characteristic Morrison sound but overall it is very, very good indeed.

All three musician do a brilliant job of recreating the music. Again, it’s close to perfect. The drums are sublime, the keys keep the songs where they should be, and the guitar provides an ongoing musical undercurrent – when it’s not stepping into the spotlight.

Between songs, the chat is kept largely to Morrison comments lifted from the aforementioned live albums, with a little room for individuality every now and again. It works pretty well.

The second set begins with People Are Strange, and the singalong recommences. A 16-minute Light My Fire allows for some lengthy soloing. These guys are pretty good at what they do. Even when getting someone chucked out for causing trouble, mid -song, there’s no breaking of character.

The set continues with Wishful Sinful, and it sounds like Morrison is in the room. This is followed by the brilliant Peace Frog, an all-time favourite. Roadhouse Blues brings predictable whoops of approval.

The encore features an extended (but relatively safe) version of The End, before the audience is wished a heartfelt farewell.

The crowd didn’t see any snakes tonight. But maybe, just maybe, some of them thought they caught a glimpse of The Doors.

David Robinson

4 stars

Image courtesy of David Robinson

Setlist

Set One

  1. L.A. Woman
  2. Riders On The Storm
  3. Break On Through
  4. Touch Me
  5. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
  6. Back Door Man
  7. Love Street
  8. When The Music’s Over/The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)

Set Two

  1. People Are Strange
  2. Spanish Caravan
  3. Light My Fire
  4. Wishful Sinful
  5. Peace Frog/Blue Sunday
  6. Roadhouse Blues

Encore

  1. The End
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[MUSIC ~ UK] Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Wed 31 Jul. It's a sold-out show at The Gov tonight, where the masses have assembled to get as close as they can to a live performance from the late, lamented Doors. The Doors Alive, a UK tribute outfit that have been touted as the best going around, are here to fill some big shoes indeed. Kicking off with L.A. Woman, it's clear that these guys are no fly-by-night operation. They know their stuff, as they ought to. The Mr Mojo Risin' section is met with raucous enthusiasm from the floor as the song climaxes. Riders On The Storm is next, another guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The set continues in this vein; a short list of extended versions of the band's hits, similar to those heard on the Absolutely Live and Alive, She Cried albums. Songs often feature riffs and lyrics from other works, not always Doors' numbers, just to add to the variety. The epic When The Music's Over closes the first stanza. Swathed in a predominantly blue glow, he certainly looks and sounds like Jim Morrison. The vocals are good, they sound genuine and very impressive. Occasionally, when attempting some of the more powerful vocal lines, the voice strays a little from the characteristic Morrison sound but overall it is very, very good indeed. All three musician do a brilliant job of recreating the music. Again, it's close to perfect. The drums are sublime, the keys keep the songs where they should be, and the guitar provides an ongoing musical undercurrent - when it's not stepping into the spotlight. Between songs, the chat is kept largely to Morrison comments lifted from the aforementioned live albums, with a little room for individuality every now and again. It works pretty well. The second set begins with People Are Strange, and the singalong recommences. A 16-minute Light My Fire allows for some lengthy soloing. These guys are pretty good at what they do. Even when getting someone chucked out for causing trouble, mid -song, there's no breaking of character. The set continues with Wishful Sinful, and it sounds like Morrison is in the room. This is followed by the brilliant Peace Frog, an all-time favourite. Roadhouse Blues brings predictable whoops of approval. The encore features an extended (but relatively safe) version of The End, before the audience is wished a heartfelt farewell. The crowd didn't see any snakes tonight. But maybe, just maybe, some of them thought they caught a glimpse of The Doors. David Robinson 4 stars Image courtesy of David Robinson Setlist Set One L.A. Woman Riders On The Storm Break On Through Touch Me Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) Back Door Man Love Street When The Music's Over/The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat) Set Two People Are Strange Spanish Caravan Light My Fire Wishful Sinful Peace Frog/Blue Sunday Roadhouse Blues Encore The End

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