Given where Ray Manzarek's career was going in the years after the breakup of The Doors, it's hard to say the whole thing's "out of control" – but we will admit that the album's a really compelling one, with some great moments that make us tip our hat to Mr M! There's a really varied feel to the set here – but the best moments have Manzarek bringing in a strong bit of jazz – showing off the keyboard talents first honed on 60s hits, but stretching out with some hipper grooves. Guests include John Klemmer, who plays a great solo on one track, plus
Joe Walsh, Flo & Eddie, and even a young Patti Smith – featured as "poetess" in the credits! Titles include the funky "Begin The World Again", the searching jazzy number "Whirling Dervish", and the tunes "I Wake Up Screaming", "Art Deco Fandango", and "Bicentennial Blues". And honestly, there's kind of an artsy playfulness here that's years beyond The Doors, and which almost prefaces some of the more experimental New York work in later years.
(Cover has ringwear, edge wear, and is bent a bit at the corners.)