It was hard not to worry about Rhino for awhile. Since the new year kicked off, things have been eerily quiet from the venerable label and catalogue arm of Warner Music Group (currently prepping for a major reorganization). Outside of the largesse of the Europe '72 box set from The Grateful Dead and a few soundtrack selections, all was quiet.
Now, one of Warner's most enduring catalogue artists looks to be getting another reissue: hot off the presses, Rhino's announced a 40th anniversary campaign for L.A. Woman, the final album released in 1971 by The Doors. The celebration kicks off with a special Record Store Day reissue of the album's lead single, "Riders on the Storm," on 7" vinyl, backed by a mono mix released as a radio promo in 1971. That disc will be limited to 2,500 copies (and randomly distributed in one of several reproduced international picture sleeves), but the goods will come out on CD in the fall, as a two-disc deluxe edition of the album itself, to feature "a selection of rare and previously unreleased session outtakes and studio dialogue," is planned.
Hit the jump to read the official press release, and check off another treasure to hunt for this Record Store Day!
THE DOORS' L.A. WOMAN TURNS 40
Rhino Launches 40th Anniversary Celebration Of L.A. Woman On Record Store Day With Exclusive "Riders On The Storm" 7" Featuring Unreleased Mono Mix
Deluxe Two-Disc Version Of The Original Album Due This Fall Including Rare And Previously Unreleased Outtakes And Studio Dialogue
LOS ANGELES - In December 1970, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore converged at The Doors' Workshop on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles and began recording what would turn out to be the band's sixth and final studio album, L.A. Woman. Released in April 1971, the album became an instant classic, earning double-platinum status on the strength of two Top 20 hits - "Riders On The Storm" and "Love Her Madly" - and the powerful and sprawling title track.
To mark the beloved album's 40th anniversary, Rhino will launch a celebration of L.A. Woman this April that will continue throughout the year. It begins on Record Store Day (April 16) with a "Riders On The Storm" 7" that contains the original stereo single b/w a previously unreleased mono mix of the single that was distributed exclusively to radio at the time. The single will be presented in one of three different, randomly distributed picture sleeves, each featuring artwork originally used for the single's international release. Limited to 2,500 total pieces, the "Riders On The Storm" single will be available exclusively at select independent music retailers during Record Store Day 2011 for a suggested list price of $6.98. For a list of participating stores, please visit www.recordstoreday.com.
Rhino continues to give The Doors their due this Fall when it unveils a special 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of L.A. Woman. This two-disc collection contains the original album along with a selection of rare and previously unreleased session outtakes and studio dialogue.
Recorded mostly live in their rehearsal space, the 10-song album was produced by the band with longtime engineer Bruce Botnick, who created a comfortable vibe in the studio. In an interview with Modern Drummer, Densmore recalled the L.A. Woman sessions. "We just did a couple takes, on everything. There were some mistakes, and I would say, 'Ray, remember on Miles Davis Live At Carnegie Hall, on the intro of 'So What' there's this horrible trumpet error? Miles said he didn't care, because of the feeling.' That's what L.A. Woman is. Just passion -- in our rehearsal room, not in a fancy studio. It was the first punk album! It was made cheap, in a couple weeks."
There are more surprises are in store for the L.A. Woman celebration, so stay tuned to The Doors (www.thedoors.com, www.facebook.com/thedoors) and Rhino (www.rhino.com, www.facebook.com/rhino) for additional announcements.
RoyalScam says
Please, for the love of God, MAKE THEM STOP WITH THE DOORS REISSUES!!!!
Mike Duquette says
Agreed, more or less. I'm not what you would call a big fan of The Doors, but it's nice to see Rhino doing something - anything - for a change. (Even if it's not Prince remasters!)
CliveElias says
I have my original mono tucked away!
Shaun says
The band's final album with Jim Morrison... The Doors did release two album without Morrison after his death.
JG says
"The first punk album"? Seriously? :-/
Well, one out of three ain't bad. (It certainly is an album, after all.)
Shaun says
And a pretty good album, actually... But a "punk" album? Yeah, I'm not seeing that either.