Some contemporary bluegrass artists have lately been turning their attention to rock and roll. One result of this trend is Silver Bullet Bluegrass, a new multi-artist tribute to the Bob Seger songbook. Another is a quartet called Iron Horse, which has issued bluegrass albums devoted to the music of Nirvana, Ozzy Osborne, Pearl Jam and now, on Pickin’ on the Doors, the songs of Jim Morrison and company.

Until you hear this latter album, it’s difficult to imagine bluegrass versions of songs like “Break on Through (To the Other Side),” “People Are Strange” and “Riders on the Storm.” And after you listen, it’s easy to suspect that the CD might have Jim Morrison rolling over in his grave, as it certainly doesn’t convey the sort of mood the Doors were after. That said, the setlist—which also includes such titles as “Love Her Madly,” “Touch Me,” “Hello, I Love You” and “Love Street”—is extremely well played. In fact, it’s amazing how well these tunes work as bluegrass. They may not have much to do with the originals, but they sound great. Believe it or not, they also sound as if they could have been written for a bluegrass band.

[Pickin’ on the Doors is available here.]

Similar comments apply to Silver Bullet Bluegrass’s renditions, some of which are a tad closer to the spirit of the originals. Three of Seger’s best songs—“Night Moves,” “Against the Wind” and “Main Street”—garner three of the best performances, by singer/songwriters Larry Cordle, Tim Shelton and Josh Shilling, respectively. Other artists turn in creditable versions of such numbers as “We’ve Got Tonight,” “Feel Like a Number” and “Turn the Page.”

[Silver Bullet Bluegrass is available here.]

Related: A late ’70s interview with Bob Seger