In this installment of Milking the Band, we bring you the new documentary about the Doors, called, The Doors: From the Outside, an unauthorized tome that puts its arm's-length status in the title by acknowledging that this telling comes “not from the perspective of the surviving members – as has been told so many time before – but from the recollections, memories, stories and anecdotes of those who knew the group and its members best.”

In other words, (and we're speculating here) the members of the band weren't interested in participating. Which is just as well, because the last thing West Coast Sound is interested in is hearing Ray Manzarek blather on and on about Jim Whatshisname.

* Light My Fire: My Life with the Doors, by Ray Manzarek, Berkeley Publishing Group, ISBN 0-425-17045-4

* No One Here Gets Out Alive, by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman, Warner Books, ISBN 0-446-60228-0

* Riders on the Storm: My Life with Jim Morrison and The Doors, by John Densmore, Delta Books, ISBN 0-385-30447-1

* “The Doors” by Danny Sugerman

* “Wild Child: Life with Jim Morrison”, by Linda Ashcroft, Avalon Publishing Group, ISBN 1-56025-249-9

— as well as a biopic and the music itself, do we really need another?

Karen Eng covering “Light My Fire”

Why this matters, according to the press release:

The panel is headed by a woman who was as close to Jim Morrison as anyone ever was; his widow Patricia Kennealy-Morrison. Patricia has rarely spoken on film about her relationship with Jim, or about her own memories of The Doors. This is a once in a lifetime contribution from someone who knew just about everything that went on.

Also interviewed is Billy James, the man who 'discovered' Jim Morrison and an early incarnation of The Doors. Billy signed them to their first deal with Columbia Records, and gained the trust and respect of the entire group. Here he tells-all about those very early days when The Doors were known only to a select few.

Richard Goldstein – editor of Village Voice and close friend of the band is on hand too with his anecdote – heavy version of events, as is Mark Benno, the legendary blues musician whose searing guitar graced the L.A. Woman album.

The very finest Rock journalists and writers, and those who lived through and were affected by The Doors' music as it was being released also contribute to this most original documentary film. In this regard, we are joined by Robert Christgau, Johnny Rogan, Dave DiMartino, Ritchie Unterberger, Doug Sundling, and Jim Morrison's biographer James Riordan.

The program is further enhanced by the rarest footage of the band in existence, classic live and studio musical performances, seldom seen photographs, news clips, location shots and much more.

EXTRA: “Conversation with The Lizard Queen” featurette, in which Patricia Morrison reveals her own views about Jim Morrison as an artist, a poet and a visionary.

West Coast Sound hasn't seen this yet. We should, of course, see it before passing judgment. We really should.

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