VH1 Storytellers--The Doors: A Celebration

As one guest vocalist after another (Train's Pat Monahan, The Cult's Ian Astbury, Days of the New's Travis Meeks, Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland and Creed's Scott Stapp) joining the original three remaining members of The Doors steps up to the mike to try and fill Jim Morrison's leather pants, a strange thing eventually happens. Right about the time, Scott Weiland launches into "Break on Through," you suddenly give up the mental fight (well, of course no one's going to sound like the Lizard King) and begin to really appreciate what's there: Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Robby Krieger--sounding like they just strolled out of The Time Tunnel circa 1967. The multi-channel separation on the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is both remarkably discrete and absolutely pristine (this is as close to being in the recording studio with the Doors as you're likely to get--in fact, I heard Robby Krieger live in concert earlier this year, and the sound here compares very favorably). The 11 song set includes "Love Me Two Times," "Whiskey Bar," "Back Door Man," "The End" (nice job by Meeks), "Light My Fire" (solid effort by Stapp) and "Riders on the Storm." In between songs, the Doors regale the mostly younger audience with Morrison stories (reminding them that Morrison's grave is the No. 4 tourist attraction in Paris). Sure to be popular, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)