Asfaltfeeën concert: An American prayer

The Utrecht-based band Asfaltfeeën and poet Ingmar Heytze will be performing on Friday 18 September at ‘ Luxor Theater ’ (An American Prayer), a translation and adaptation of Jim Morrison’s poems set to the music of The Doors.

In 1978, seven years after the death of Jim Morrison (1943–1971), *An American Prayer*, the ninth and final studio album by The Doors, was released. The album can be described as a marvellous radio play featuring poetry recitals by Morrison, soundscapes and, of course, fantastic music. According to keyboardist Ray Manzarek, *An American Prayer* consists of five acts, in which Morrison’s life, work and philosophy are explored.

The idea for a Dutch version first emerged in the summer of 2011. At the time, Ingmar Heytze was artist-in-residence at the artists’ retreat Het Vijfde Seizoen in Den Dolder. Together with poet Ellen Deckwitz and musician Cor van Ingen, he worked there as part of the band Asfaltfeeën on the EP *Door de straten*. Driven by their shared enthusiasm for *An American Prayer*, Deckwitz and Heytze decided to translate the album into Dutch, with the plan to perform it one day together with Asfaltfeeën.

For various reasons, the project had been on hold for fifteen years. This spring, it finally came to fruition. Following its premiere at the Werftheater in Utrecht, ‘ Luxor Theater ’ in Zutphen is the second venue where *An American Prayer* will be performed in its entirety live.