13 (The Doors album)
13 | ||||
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Compilation album by The Doors | ||||
Released | 30 November 1970 | |||
Recorded | 1966–1969 | |||
Genre | Psychedelic rock, acid rock, blues rock | |||
Length | 43:59 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer | Paul A. Rothchild | |||
The Doors chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Robert Christgau | A–[2] |
MusicHound | 3.5/5[3] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide |
13 is the first compilation album by The Doors.[5] Released on 30 November 1970 by Elektra Records, it debuted at number 75 on December 19, 1970, peaked at Number 25 for two weeks (January 2 and January 9, 1971) and was off the charts after May 8. It spent a total of 21 weeks on the charts. The album has never been issued on CD because, while it was the only compilation released before lead singer Jim Morrison's death, it does not include songs from L.A. Woman, released in 1971.
Background
13 was a project instigated by Elektra Records, who wanted product from the band for the Christmas season, and the band reluctantly agreed.[6] Morrison even agreed to shave off his beard for the album cover's photo shoot, but the label opted for a younger photo of the singer, which they had also opted to do for the group's live album Absolutely Live, also released in 1970. Morrison's image is much larger than those of guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore. As Danny Sugarman observes in his band memoir No One Here Gets Out Alive, "Elektra obviously wanted the 'pretty' Jim Morrison...Although Ray, Robby, and John had become accustomed to the attention directed towards their lead singer, it upset Jim." The album's back cover features the band posing with what some think is a small bust of occultist Aleister Crowley.
Critical reception
In a contemporary review in 1971, music critic Dave Marsh wrote that although the album does indeed contain "thirteen classic songs", it fails to deliver on any purpose other than compiling the most radio-friendly hits in one place. "There are no magnum opuses" included in the collection: "No 'The End', no 'When the Music's Over', no 'Soft Parade'... [it] would have been decidedly uncommercial to have them included here... Of course 'Five to One' isn't here; funny thing, outside of 'Unknown Soldier' none of the Doors' more controversial subject matter is included."[7]
Track listing
US release
- Side one
- "Light My Fire" (Robby Krieger) – 6:50 (from The Doors)
- "People Are Strange" (Jim Morrison, Krieger) – 2:13 (from Strange Days)
- "Back Door Man" (Willie Dixon) – 3:34 (from The Doors)
- "Moonlight Drive" (Morrison) – 3:05 (from Strange Days)
- "The Crystal Ship" (Morrison) – 2:34 (from The Doors)
- "Roadhouse Blues" (Morrison) – 4:03 (from Morrison Hotel)
- Side two
- "Touch Me" (Krieger) – 3:12 (from The Soft Parade)
- "Love Me Two Times" (Krieger) – 3:18 (from Strange Days)
- "You're Lost Little Girl" (Krieger) – 3:03 (from Strange Days)
- "Hello, I Love You" (Morrison) – 2:14 (from Waiting for the Sun)
- "Land Ho!" (Morrison, Krieger) – 4:10 (from Morrison Hotel)
- "Wild Child" (Morrison) – 2:38 (from The Soft Parade)
- "The Unknown Soldier" – 3:23 (from Waiting for the Sun)
UK release
In the UK, the LP was released through Elektra and Kinney Group Records Ltd (EKS-74079). The track listing was the same as the US release but individual authorship was listed for each track. The duration of the tracks also differed markedly from that listed on the US version.
- Side one
- "Light My Fire" (Krieger) – 6:50
- "People Are Strange" (Morrison, Krieger) – 2:10
- "Back Door Man" (Dixon, Chester Burnett; Jewel Music) – 3:30
- "Moonlight Drive" (Morrison) – 3:00
- "The Crystal Ship" (Morrison) – 2:30
- "Roadhouse Blues" (Morrison) – 4:04
- Side two
- "Touch Me" (Krieger) – 3:15
- "Love Me Two Times" (Krieger) – 3:23
- "You're Lost Little Girl" (Krieger) – 3:01
- "Hello, I Love You" (Morrison) – 2:22
- "Land Ho!" (Morrison, Krieger) – 4:08
- "Wild Child" (Morrison) – 2:36
- "The Unknown Soldier" (Morrison, Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore) – 3:10
Personnel
- Jim Morrison - lead vocals
- Ray Manzarek - piano, organ, marimba, bass
- Robby Krieger - guitar
- John Densmore - drums
- John Sebastian - harmonica (on “Roadhouse Blues”)
Production
- Paul A. Rothchild - producer
- Jac Holzman - production supervisor
- Bruce Botnick - engineer
Track origins
Tracks 1, 3 & 5 from The Doors
Tracks 2, 4, 8 & 9 from Strange Days
Tracks 10 & 13 from Waiting for the Sun
Tracks 7 & 12 from The Soft Parade
Tracks 6 & 11 from Morrison Hotel
Charts
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1971 | Billboard 200 | 25 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[8] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[9] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
References
- ↑ Eder, Bruce. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2011-05-07.
- ↑ The Doors: 13 [Elektra, 1970] robertchristgau.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-07.
- ↑ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds) (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 358. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
- ↑ "The Doors: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ↑ "The Doors 13 (Thirteen) - Sealed USA Vinyl LP Record EKS-74079 13 (Thirteen) - Sealed The Doors 991 172664". 991.com. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- ↑ Hopkins, Sugarman 1980, p. 318.
- ↑ Marsh, Dave (March 1971). "The Doors: 'Thirteen'". Creem. Retrieved June 22, 2018 – via Rock's Backpages. }
- ↑ "Canadian album certifications – The Doors – 13". Music Canada.
- ↑ "American album certifications – The Doors – 13". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.