An American Prayer is the title of the ninth and last studio album released by the American classic rock, psychedelic rock, blues rock, and acid rock band (with significant jazz influences) the Doors in 1978. It is an enchanting record of poetry by Jim Douglas Morrison and music by the three surviving members of the Doors in the wake of the American poet and singer’s death in 1971. The poetry of the album by Jim Morrison was recorded in March, 1969 and December, 1970 whereas the music by Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (electric guitar), and John Densmore (drums and percussion) was recorded in 1978. After 1971, the Doors continued as a trio, releasing two more studio albums but eventually disbanding in 1973 only to reunite in 1978 in order to record music for this poetry-based LP.
The frontal cover artwork of the Doors’ ninth and last studio album entitled An American Prayer (1978), a record which revolves around Jim Morrison’s poetry with music by the three surviving members of The Doors, Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (electric guitar), and John Densmore (drums and percussion). Image source: YouTube
The initial 1978 release has a total length of 38 minutes and 40 seconds whereas the 1995 reissue has an expanded one of 46 minutes and 49 seconds. Its overall sound is a mixture of jazz rock (or jazz fusion), spoken word, and poetry. In November, 1978 legendary Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek stated the following for the Los Angeles Times:
‘We did this album to show the side of Jim which has been underrated all these years.’
And indeed so it was and so they did. After it was released, An American Prayer sold very well, thus becoming the best-selling spoken word studio album at that time. Subsequently, the record was also nominated for the 1980 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (the only album of the band nominated for this particular category). According to Vik Iyengar of AllMusic, the album is ‘not for everyone, but is a must-own for Doors completists and fans of Jim Morrison’s poetry’ while Matthew Greenwald (also of AllMusic) claimed it is an ‘excellent and underrated’ album. And indeed, so it is. Relatively lesser known among the fans who only cling on to the hits, but a must listen to all the longtime fans who dug deeper into the band’s discography and listened to their entire catalogue.
Morrison’s poetry on this album is truly enchanting, magical, and surreal, as it is on other records, but this one in particular shows a more sensitive and melancholic side of his literary creation (underrated and misunderstood by some, unfortunately). Furthermore, to a considerable extent, Jim Morrison’s poetry on this particular studio album is also self-biographical (as it is, most notably, the case on Dawn’s Highway and The Ghost Song which reflect an experience the poet had as a kid when he witnessed an accident involving Native Americans on a highway). In chronological regards, the poetry on this album can be divided into several stages or ages of Jim Morrison, ranging from his childhood, then teenage years in high school, followed by his years as a young poet living on a roof to his musical career in the Doors and then, ultimately, to a summary of his entire life and philosophy. The main themes explored by Jim Morrison through his poetry on this studio album are life, death (mortality), love, and spirituality.
Initially, the album had two sides and 5 main songs. Eventually, the album was expanded with three bonus tracks, namely Babylon Fading, Bird of Prey (a very touching and sad poem), and The Ghost Song (my most favourite song on the record). Aside from the three surviving members of the band, there were also some session musicians contributing on the LP, more specifically bassists Bob Glaub and Jerry Scheff, percussionist Reinol Andino as well as Arthur Barrow who added programmed synthesiser on the track ‘The Movie’. Given the fact that the album was a commercial success, it was certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A. (i.e. the Recording Industry Association of America).
Below you can listen to my most favourite tracks from this wonderful, enchanting, melancholic, and quite underrated record by The Doors. Thank you very much for stopping by as well as for your time and attention. All the best, take care, stay safe, and rock on!
On a personal note, I would like to conclude the fact that this particular studio album has been a very dear record of mine from the Doors’ entire catalogue for many years. Last but not least, it will continue to remain as such for the rest of my life. Thank you so much once again for being here. All the best!
Documentation sources and external links:
- The Wikipedia page of the album on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- The page of the album on www.allmusic.com
- An American Prayer by Jim Morrison on www.goodreads.com
- The Making of Jim Morrison’s An American Prayer on www.johnhaeny.com
- The page of the band on www.britannica.com (the online version of Encyclopædia Britannica)