The Doors 21st Century

Orpheum Theater, Boston, Massachusetts

April 25, 2003

by Daphne Gallery

The show began around 8:40, even though the tickets said 7:30.   Ian wore his black leather jacket, black tee shirt, dark jeans, and sunglasses.   Ray had a jacket on with a white printed button-down shirt over a tee shirt.  Robby had on camo pants with a printed shirt over a tee shirt.  Angelo wore a grey sweater and jeans, and Ty was in a black tee (couldn't see his pants).

They started with Roadhouse Blues and got the place off to a rocking start, followed by Break On Through.  Ian was already dancing around like a whirlwind.  He did the "dead cats / dead rats" in the middle of the song.   The whole theater was going crazy.  After they finished the song, Ray said "Boston is the rowdiest place he has ever seen."

They then went into When The Music's Over, and the place was ready to erupt.  Ray introduced the band and next came Love Me Two Times.   During the solos in the middle, Ian left the stage and Robby went and played over by Ray.  Ian came back out, said "Nice to see ya, Boston" and the people exploded in cheers.

Moonlight Drive was next, with Ray doing an extended solo at the end.

Ian took off his shades and they did Wild Child.  I have to say Ian is getting better with each performance;  he seems to be much more comfortable with his role, and it shows.  At the end of the song, Ian said "Gonna getcha soon, I'm comin' to get ya".

The new song, Cops Talk, was played next.  During this one I noticed a lot of people sitting in their seats.  Maybe it's because most of the people haven't heard it, but it was disappointing to see that.   They did get great applause after they finished the song, though.   Ray then gave his talk about the new album, the writers that are contributing material for them, and that hopefully it will be out by year's end.

Ray then introduced Ty and Angelo again, saying how great they are and asking the crowd to give it up for them.  Ray also mentioned that they are single and available, and Ian chimed in "Angelo is well hung, ladies!"

Then came the trio of Alabama Song, Back Door Man, and Five To One.  The crowd was eating this stuff up, they loved it!  Ian jumped off the drum riser at the end of Five To One and said, "Are you awake, Boston?   We played New York City last night, and those motherfuckers were asleep."

After this they slowed it down a bit:  the road crew brought out stools for Robby and Ian and placed them next to Ray's keyboard.  They did a beautiful version of Crystal Ship and followed it with People Are Strange.  During this one, I think the audience sang it louder than the band.  Ray was impressed by that!  You could just see his face beaming with pride!

Robby's flamenco solo came next, going into Spanish Caravan.  When that was done, Ian says:  "Is there any Irish people in the audience?" and they went into Maggie M'Gill.   L.A. Woman was next, and the crowd was still going wild, obviously a fan favorite.

Light My Fire was met with thunderous applause.  Ray spoke about how back in the day they couldn't say "higher" when they performed it on television.  During Ray's solo, Ian left the stage.  Robby then did his solo, and Ian came back and inserted the Bob Marley "Get up / Stand up" in the middle, and finished the song off by jumping off the drum riser.

They then said "Goodnight Boston" and left the stage.  The place was roaring for more.  Sounded like the balcony was going to come crashing down, the  people were stomping their feet so hard!   They came back out and did Riders On The Storm.  After that, Ray asked what we wanted to hear and he said, "Peace Frog" ?? and they proceeded to play that.   It was awesome!

As they were leaving the stage again, Robby ran down the opposite end of the stage and ran back across, high-fiving everyone in the front row.

The Orpheum was still screaming for more, so they came back out and did a killer Soul Kitchen.  The lights were now on the audience, the place was jammin'.  At the very end of the song, Ian started to sing a little of G-L-O-R-I-A, with Ray singing Gloria in the background.  The show ended at 10:45.   The show TOTALLY ROCKED!!!

On the way home from the concert, one of the local radio stations, WHJY 105.7, was talking to one of their DJs that was at the show.   He couldn't rave more about it ... he said this is what the fans have been waiting for.  He said it was a little distracting at first, at how much Ian looked and sounded like Jim, but by the third or fourth song he knew they had the groove going on.  He said that this show wasn't just the "hits", but the obscure stuff the fans want to hear.

(thanks again for the review, Daphne!)

to compare all set lists, go to:   set lists   or:   set list grid

Boston Herald by Dean Johnson:  "Doors reunion lights fire musically, legally" -- April 26, 2003  

 

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