Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures  |  Adult
Boston  |  Portland  |  Providence
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Download  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features  |  New England Music News

Mojo rising

Robby Krieger rocks Berklee
By STEVEN LEE BEEBER  |  October 24, 2007
IMG0024roinside
Robby Kreiger

Doors guitarist Robby Krieger came to Boston a week ago Monday as part of a tour promoting the newly released Doors live album Live in Boston ’70 (Elektra), a three-disc document of the band performing at the Boston Arena. He was supposed simply to answer questions about the album and the Doors. But being at Berklee, among all those hot-shot players, he couldn’t resist the temptation to join in with a student ensemble for a set of Doors covers. It was odd watching a guy in thinning hair strut about like Mr. Mojo Rising. The set highlighted Krieger’s improvisatory guitar lines — playing that was often overshadowed by the larger-than-life presence of the real Jim Morison back in the day.

“I’m speechless,” said 20-year-old Berklee student Aliza Brinton, who was turned onto the Doors by her parents (“your basic hippie farmers in Vermont”). “I saw the Doors at the Boston Arena in 1970,” added Howie Newman, a 57-year-old fan who wasn’t the only one present in his age bracket. “Robby’s still got it.”

Krieger himself was more muted afterward, but his “It was fun to play those songs again” made it clear he too had enjoyed the show. He also alluded, diplomatically, to some of the difficulties inherent in touring with a Lizard King who was as often an annoying drunk as he was (alleged, at least) a shaman. “Touring with Jim could be . . . difficult.”

Diplomacy doesn’t make for good journalism, however. “So,” I asked, “how annoying was Jim?”

Krieger suppressed a smile. “It’s a love/hate thing. Let’s just say that without him they wouldn’t have listened to the music, and without the music they wouldn’t have listened to him.”

Very tactful, that Robby. And a hell of a guitarist. Feel free to spray-paint your local brick wall with “Krieger Is God.” Better yet, sit down with those recently remastered hits and follow the guitar lines that snake so smoothly around the Lizard King’s jittery yelps.

Related:
  • Yin Yang
    Rhino resurrects the Doors’ Live in Boston 1970
  • Factory guy
    Images of Andy on the big screen
  • Last days of New Alliance
    The nerve center of Boston’s rock scene for the past 19 years is packing up and moving across the river  
  • More more >
  Topics: Live Reviews , Robby Krieger , Lizard King
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments
Mojo rising
"Snake so smoothly around the Lizard..."--very nice. But it should be "Mr Mojo Risin"(anagram).
By gordon on 10/25/2007 at 10:11:44
Mojo rising
I saw The Doors in Brighton at a place called the Crosstown Bus when I was 12 or 13. And everyone was dancing instead of drooling at the front-man. The club got shut down because the hippies forgot to get a liquor license!
By less_than_spam on 10/29/2007 at 9:34:35

election special
ARTICLES BY STEVEN LEE BEEBER
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   SPIRITUALIZED  |  August 04, 2008
    Roxy, July 30, 2008
  •   ISRAELI UPSTARTS  |  March 17, 2008
    Punk takes hold in the Holy Land
  •   NO LATKES?  |  December 11, 2007
    A crazy worldwide Hanukkah party
  •   MEET AND GREET  |  November 19, 2007
    Boston's rock n' roll social
  •   MOJO RISING  |  October 24, 2007
    Robby Krieger rocks Berklee

 See all articles by: STEVEN LEE BEEBER

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



Featured Articles in Features:
Monday, October 06, 2008  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2008 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group