| Most everyone knows Ray Manzarek was the main musical motivation
behind The Doors’ pop explosion in the early ’70s. What you may not know is that
he’s back with new sidekick Michael McClure, showcasing the same motivation of his
earlier success. As a duo, they merge poetry and jazz, bringing back taking chances in
performance — pushing the limits of improvisation. When "School House
Rock" was the only rock for my generation, The Doors were the bad boys of American
pop culture. Sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll seemed to be the only thing on their
collective minds. The lyrical poetry of Jim Morrison rose from this circus, along with
Manzarek’s carnival organ, asking people to open their minds and think. Morrison had
a friend in Michael McClure and introduced him to Manzarek during the recording of The
Doors’ album Waiting For the Sun. McClure was an established poet and helped
Jim Morrison get his first book of poetry, Lords And The New Creatures, published.
Even now, he is often compared to Morrison, and the collaboration between Manzarek and
McClure brings forth the spirit of The Doors, once again.
McClure ran with the beat poets in the ’50s and ’60s — Ginsberg,
Burroughs, and Kerouac. Inspiring drug culture, embracing life, and shunning non-thinkers,
these poets did were the original rock ’n’ roll rebels. McClure was among them,
writing about drugs, freedom, and personal experience in the same manner that a great
blues man attacks a solo or lays back in a groove.
On their current project together, Love Lion (Shanachie), Manzarek and McClure
follow the path of other rock/poetry duets such as the 1993 collaboration between Kurt
Cobain and William S. Burroughs. However, Love Lion differs significantly. The
project was recorded live at the Bottom Line in New York and intertwines precision poetry
and jazz piano, creating an original sound which neither could create alone. Manzarek
weaves his piano between the words, which McClure delivers with a rhythmic precision.
Occasionally The Doors’ riffs appear. "Riders On The Storm" makes an
appearance in "In Memoriam For Jim Morrison," a somber piece which variations on
this musical theme recreates the peace and pain which was part of Morrison’s life.
Together they push each other, creating a unique art form which is always different,
always spiritual, and never contrived.
Ray Manzarek &
Michael McClure appear at The Wire,
216 Fourth Street, New Cumberland, PA • 774-0678
Sunday, January 10th, 7 P.M.,
Call for ticket prices and availability. |
