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Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger
Napa Valley Opera House, Napa, CA
The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger brought the latest edition of their touring band to northern California for a rare pair of Bay Area appearances over the Vernal Equinox weekend in March. Whether billed as the Doors of the 21st Century, Riders on the Storm or Manzarek/Krieger, rest assured that these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will play a full night of classic Doors material circa 1967-'71. Led by the incendiary keyboards energy of Manzarek teamed with Krieger's snaky psychedelic guitar the band roars through a couple of hours of powerful music. Jim Morrison's been gone some time now, but former Fuel singer Brett Scallions handles lead vocals admirably. Add Ty Dennis on drums and former Rod Stewart bassist Phil Chen and you've got one powerful band. Note: "Lefty" Manzarek, aka Ray's left hand, has "retired" from bass playing and handed the bottom end to Chen.
Saturday's show at the gorgeously renovated Napa Valley Opera House found the band in a relaxed yet musically intense mood. Manzarek has relocated to Napa in recent years and the stage filled with friends and family, including Ray's wife Dorothy and brother Rick. Eyes were drawn stage right where a vintage red, black and silver Vox Continental organ sat waiting to cosmically compliment the Gibson SG guitar across the stage. The rare 2-set show of iconic rock blew away any doubts that "gentlemen of a certain age" (Ray is 70!) can still rock. The evening finished with, of course, "Light My Fire."
Sunday's show at legendary psychedelic ballroom the Fillmore was, if anything, even more intense than the night before. The packed general admission house rocked and swayed through a smokin'setlist mostly unchanged from the previous evening. Ray and Robby clearly enjoyed channeling Jim and reminiscing about the 1960s. While introducing "When the Music's Over," Ray even referred to himself as a "stoned hippie." Again the happy crowd headed home after the double encore of "Riders on the Storm" and "Light My Fire."
Some people question going to see a band where the main performer has died. Followers of the Dead and Little Feat have wrestled with this for years. Have no fear, Brett Scallions (and Ian Astbury before him) does a credible job of helping Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger celebrate the words and music of Jim Morrison and the Doors. Cynics should stay home. Everyone else, prepare to be amazed. — Dave O'Connell
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