Live in Pittsburgh 1970 (Audio CD)
I bought this new back in 2008 and of the few archive releases I've heard(Boston, The Matrix and Vancouver), this particular show remains the most top notch gig captured, not just from Ray, Robbie and John's performances as a band, but Morrison is in fine form, focused and forceful throughout the entire show. Opening with a medley of "Back Door Man", "Love Hides" and "Five to One", which emanates hypnotic telepathy between the members of the band with flawless musical presentation and a brooding intensity, "Roadhouse Blues" naturally settles into the set with an incredible groove realized. Ray's driving organ and keyboard-bass accompaniment meshes with a solid, but earnest back-beat from John while Robbie's guitar prowess exudes dexterity, coupled with a raw tone that kicks the number up a notch. Another medley of tunes, in the vein of blues territory, are introduced by Jim quoting The Impressions' "People Get Ready" before Ray begins the opening 4 organ note intro into "Mystery Train"; there's something of a searching quality within this flow of material that hears the band tackling their improvisational side more favorably and to great effect. "Away in India" is the segue jam between "Train" and "Crossroad Blues", which hears Jim and Robbie harmonizing on a basic blues/rock riff that grows into a guitar showcase for Robbie. The energy chugs along with the band taking a stab at the Robert Johnson penned "Crossroads Blues", rendering an electrifying version replete with Morrison screams and howls.

 

The appearance of a few newer numbers in "Universal Mind" and "Someday Soon" are noted, although, they're a bit typical entries within the Doors' catalog, offering solid musical accompaniment, while Morrison's lyrics continue to be interesting, albeit retaining an odd and sometimes awkward quality. "When the Music's Over" displays a loose feel during the number's extended section and Morrison chides the audience with several groans, grunts, cackles and howls into his microphone while Krieger performs added sound effects of feedback from his guitar and amplification. As the number winds down, instead of applying the dramatic ending to the tune, the band continues on with the same tempo and incorporates a snippet of "Break on Through" thus leading the way for the coda of "The Soft Parade", rendered exceptionally by the group. Ray sings lead, introduced humorously by Jim exclaiming "Tonight, You're in for a Special Treat, No, not that!" which implied his troubles in Miami, leading into Willie Dixon's "Close to You". The song is done well by the band and Jim sings a bit of back-up lead on the chorus, but Ray's vocal is solid, despite the lack of depth within his range. Closing with "Light my Fire", this performance captured live by the Doors is simply a great set to own from their archive series. Bruce Botnick does leave a few notes within the liner sleeve booklet included and notes about the change into the beginning 16 bars of Ray's organ solo missing and inserting sources from other shows to fill the masters' gap; unlike the uncertainty of the source of tapes for the Matrix collection, Pittsburgh not only seems complete, but also reveals a few tricks that make the set sound solid and of a classic performance.  
 

 Rating Grade- A