The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68 Blu-ray Review

In the newly restored version of "The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68," Eagle Rock has utilized the original negative to deliver a 1080p AVC encoded transfer in an expanded 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Despite inherent limitations due to the 16mm source footage, the remaster marks a substantial improvement over previous releases, particularly in color accuracy, black levels, and overall clarity. While some viewers may nitpick the presence of Digital Noise Reduction (DNR), which reduces grain, it remains noteworthy for preserving fine object details, such as Morrison's bruised fingernail and the sweat on Krieger's face.

The visual presentation does, however, have its shortcomings. The image often appears soft, not due to inherent resolution limits but more because of out-of-focus camerawork; operators struggled to adjust quickly enough during the live performance. Especially in wide shots, the band members are often seen only as colorful blobs amidst a sea of black, resulting in limited depth and frequent instances where band members blend into the dark background. This is compounded by black levels that occasionally crush hard, obscuring details further.

Notably, the color palette remains somewhat subdued but features occasional bursts of vibrancy, such as Morrison’s tan pants and Kreiger's red guitar strap. Despite the underwhelming overall detail, skin tones appear lifelike and consistent throughout. In conclusion, while the transfer isn't without its flaws, it represents a quantum leap forward when juxtaposed with previous home video releases. The clarity and color enhancements will be appreciated even if some perceptual softness and grain reduction persist.

The audio presentation of "The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68" Blu-ray is a meticulously crafted experience, despite some minor issues rooted in the original recording. Bruce Botnick, the original sound engineer, has digitally reconstructed moments lost to microphone issues using recordings from other concerts. This patchwork approach might be contentious to purists, but it results in both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and LPCM 2.0 stereo tracks that exhibit commendable fidelity and clarity. Though occasional distortions due to Jim Morrison's unexpected shouts and volume changes are unavoidable, these instances are minimal and do not significantly detract from the overall listening experience.

The remixed soundtrack is particularly noteworthy for its age, with only slight hiss betraying its vintage nature. DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 stands out by immersing listeners into the live performance. The accurate spatial distribution of instruments aligns with their on-stage positions, providing a distinct and authentic soundstage. The vocal and instrumental balance is expertly managed, allowing each band member's contributions to shine through. Manzarek's supporting vocals and crowd reactions are crisp and vividly presented. The DTS Surround track captures the wide dynamic range of the show, from raucous shouts and explosive moments to subtle whispers and gentle melodies.

Moreover, the LFE performance delivers a robust low-end response, augmenting the depth of Densmore's drums and Manzarek's bass-heavy keyboards. The only distracting elements arise during "Light My Fire," where audience fireworks result in abrupt loud pops that momentarily disrupt the musical flow. Despite these negligible interruptions, the audio tracks provided in this Blu-ray release ensure a rich and immersive experience that pays homage to the historic performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68" offer an array of well-produced, insightful features that augment the main concert experience. "Echoes from the Bowl" provides a deep dive into the history and significance of the performance venue, with intriguing narratives about the band's formative years and Morrison's state during the show. "You Had to Be There" captures candid interviews and recollections, delivering a vivid recount of the night's atmosphere from the band members and The Chambers Brothers. "Reworking The Doors" showcases the meticulous restoration process, emphasizing the effort to synchronize audio imperfections with alternative live recordings. Additionally, the disc includes nostalgic performances from vintage TV shows and a music video, presented in SD.

Extras included in this disc:

• Echoes from the Bowl: Background on the venue and band's early days.
• You Had to Be There: Interviews and memories from the night.
• Reworking The Doors: Restoration and synchronization process insights.
• Wild Child (From The Smothers Brothers Show): Vintage performance.
• Light My Fire (From The Jonathan Winters Show): TV performance with unique effects.
• Gloria (Music Video): Original music video.

"The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68" presents an enthralling snapshot of the band at the height of their powers, performing before a hometown audience at the Hollywood Bowl on July 5, 1968. Jim Morrison, having taken LSD right before the show, delivers an otherworldly and erratic performance, often oscillating between poetic recitations and intense vocal outbursts. The band, known for its eclectic and genre-defying style, transitions seamlessly between tracks like "When the Music's Over," "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)," and their chart-topping single, "Hello, I Love You." Notably, the concert includes rare performances of "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" and "Spanish Caravan," restored through audio engineering techniques that compensated for recording issues experienced during the original concert.

The technical aspects of this Blu-ray release are noteworthy. Much effort has gone into ensuring sound quality preservation, with audio engineer Bruce Botnick addressing the challenges of remote recording, such as dealing with malfunctioning microphones by integrating snippets from other live performances. The visual presentation has a stark simplicity—white lights bathing the stage, occasionally accented by Morrison's distinct tan leather pants and a red curtain behind the drums. This minimalist setup contributes to a focus on the music and Morrison's compelling stage presence.

Despite some purists' potential objections to the re-crafted audio elements, Botnick's seamless integration work allows viewers to experience the concert much as it was heard that night. Moreover, the band's ability to switch effortlessly between complex musical arrangements and Morrison's spoken-word interludes demonstrates their experimental bravura. This Blu-ray serves not only as a historical document but also as a testament to The Doors' raw live energy, providing fans with a comprehensive look at one of the most iconic performances of the turbulent 1960s.

"The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68" Blu-ray release is a significant piece of music history, presenting one of the band's most renowned live performances in an enhanced format. Filmed at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in 1968, this concert captures the raw energy and enigmatic presence of Jim Morrison and company. The Blu-ray boasts a well-remastered audio track that highlights the band's iconic sound, ensuring an engaging listening experience. The video quality, while showing its age in places, has been meticulously restored to offer the best possible visual representation of this historic event.

The supplementary content included in this release is both extensive and informative, providing valuable context and background to the performance. Fans will appreciate the inclusion of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, which offer new insights into The Doors' creative process and stage presence. Despite some criticisms regarding the digital tweaking of both audio and video elements, these restorations ultimately enhance the overall experience, bringing a fresh perspective to the original footage.

This is one of the most legendary live concerts by one of the great bands of its era, and fans will probably be willing to overlook the digital tweaking that accompanies both the video and audio elements here. It's fantastic to see this new cut, especially insofar as we finally get a more complete feel for what The Doors' performance that night really must have been like. This Blu-ray also has some really appealing supplementary content, and comes Highly recommended.

While I highly recommend this release for Doors fans, even casual music fans interested in the history of the art form should find this concert of interest.

Though some may be put off by the diminished video quality and the blending of sources to create a complete performance, the historical significance in creating a complete concert and the quality of the audio should win the day.