Now Streaming: The Doors, “Queen of the Highway” (Various Takes)

On February 9 of this year, The Doors’ fifth studio album, MORRISON HOTEL, celebrated its 50th anniversary, and since 2020 is absolutely a year that demands as much partying as can be managed in the midst of a pandemic lockdown, we’re continuing the celebration on October 9 with the release of a new 50th anniversary deluxe edition of the album.

This 2-CD/1-LP set includes the original album newly remastered by The Doors’ longtime engineer and mixer Bruce Botnick, plus a bonus disc of unreleased studio outtakes, and the original album on 180-gram virgin vinyl...and, yes, of course, the music will also be available from digital and streaming services on the very same day.

But as we said when we initially announced this release, we know October 9 seems like a lifetime from now, particularly when we’re all in a situation where we’re hardly going anywhere, so we’ve got a sneak preview for you: an unreleased take – actually make that various takes – of “Queen of the Highway,” which you can check out right here!

 

Now, of course, you’re probably thinking, “Gee, that sounds swell! What else is on this set?”

Stand by, dear reader, and ye shall be informed...

MORRISON HOTEL: 50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION

CD Track Listing

Disc One: The Original Album

Side One: Hard Rock Café

1.      “Roadhouse Blues”
2.      “Waiting For The Sun”
3.      “You Make Me Real”
4.      “Peace Frog”
5.      “Blue Sunday”
6.      “Ship Of Fools”

Side Two: Morrison Hotel
7.      “Land Ho!”
8.      “The Spy”
9.      “Queen Of The Highway”
10.  “Indian Summer”
11.  “Maggie M’Gill”

Disc Two: Mysterious Union

Black Dressed In Leather (Queen Of The Highway Sessions)

First Session (11/15/68)

1.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Take 1, She Was A Princess) *
2.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Various Takes) *
3.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Take 44, He Was A Monster) *

Second Session (1/16/69)
4.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Take 12, No One Could Save Her) *
5.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Take 14, Save The Blind Tiger) *

Third Session (Date Unknown)
6.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Take 1, American Boy – American Girl) *
7.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Takes 5, 6 & 9, Dancing Through The Midnight Whirlpool) *
8.      “Queen Of The Highway” (Take 14, Start It All Over) *
9.      “I Will Never Be Untrue” *
10.  “Queen Of The Highway” (Take Unknown) *

Money Beats Soul (Roadhouse Blues Sessions)

First Session
11.  “Roadhouse Blues” (Take 14, Keep Your Eyes On The Road) *
12.  “Money (That’s What I Want)” *
13.  “Rock Me Baby” *

Second Session
14.  “Roadhouse Blues” (Takes 6 & 7, Your Hands Upon The Wheel) *
15.  “Roadhouse Blues” (Take 8, We’re Goin’ To The Roadhouse) *

Third Session
16.  “Roadhouse Blues” (Takes 1 & 2, We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time) *
17.  “Roadhouse Blues” (Takes 5, 6 & 14, Let It Roll Baby Roll) *

Dawn’s Highway (Peace Frog/Blue Sunday Session)
18.  “Peace Frog/Blue Sunday” (Take 4) *
19.  “Peace Frog” (Take 12) *

LP Track Listing

Side One: Hard Rock Cafe
1.      “Roadhouse Blues”
2.      “Waiting For The Sun”
3.      “You Make Me Real”
4.      “Peace Frog”
5.      “Blue Sunday”
6.      “Ship Of Fools”

Side Two: Morrison Hotel
1.      “Land Ho!”
2.      “The Spy”
3.      “Queen Of The Highway”
4.      “Indian Summer”
5.      “Maggie M’Gill”

* previously unreleased