The Doors Finally Release Original Demo Of ‘Riders On The Storm’
UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Jim MORRISON and DOORS posed in Germany in 1968. Left to right: Jim Morrison (1943-1971), Ray Manzarek (1939-2013), Robbie Krieger and John Densmore. (Photo by K & K Ulf Kruger OHG/Redferns)
Check It Out
The Doors have dropped a long forgotten demo of “Riders on the Storm.” This raw-sounding version was recorded with producer Paul A. Rothchild. It will be featured in the upcoming new deluxe reissue of the band’s final studio album with frontman Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman, for its 50th anniversary. Arriving on December 3 via Rhino, the L.A. Woman (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) includes 18 previously unreleased recordings.
The early demo of “Riders on the Storm” was recorded at Sunset Sound studios. Rothchild famously described it as “cocktail music. (page) ”
“When he heard it, it was in an early rehearsal and it hadnโt evolved into what it became,” John Densmore recalled. “But it really is one of our most important songs.”
“We came upon that and went, โOh, my God,โ” engineer and mixer Bruce Botnick said. “And the funny thing is, when it got transferred, it got transferred backwards. So I had to flip it electronically, and when I heard it, I went, โHoly tamales, look what weโve got.โ We had no idea there was even any aural record of the sessions.”
L.A. Woman: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Tracklisting
Disc One: Original Stereo Mix Remastered
1. โThe Changelingโ
2. โLove Her Madlyโ
3. โBeen Down So Longโ
4. โCars Hiss By My Windowโ
5. โL.A. Womanโ
6. โLโAmericaโ
7. โHyacinth Houseโ
8. โCrawling King Snakeโ
9. โThe WASP (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)โ
10. โRiders On The Stormโ
Bonus Tracks
11. โHyacinth Houseโ โ Demo
12. โRiders On The Stormโ โ Sunset Sound Version โ Original Demo*
Disc Two: L.A. Woman Sessions, Part 1
1. โThe Changelingโ *
2. โLove Her Madlyโ *
3. โRiders On The Stormโ *
4. โL.A. Womanโ (Part 1) *
Disc Three: L.A. Woman Sessions, Part 2
1. โL.A. Womanโ (Part 2) *
2. โShe Smells So Niceโ *
3. โRock Me Babyโ *
4. โMr. Mojo Risin’โ *
5. โBaby Please Donโt Goโ *
6. โL.A. Womanโ (Part 3) *
7. โBeen Down So Longโ *
8. โGet Out Of My Life Womanโ *
9. โCrawling King Snakeโ *
10. โThe Bastard Son Of Jimmy & Mama Reed (Cars Hiss By My Window)โ *
11. โBeen Down So Longโ *
12. โMystery Trainโ *
13. โThe WASP (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)โ *
* previously unreleased
