There's some very drunk material on there

Doors' manager Danny Sugerman

The unreleased music was discovered three years ago when the Doors' producer Paul Rothchild, who has since died, stumbled across a wealth of material.

The live recordings offer a glimpse of Morrison at his most outlandish, often performing drunk.

The records are being released by the remaining three members of the Doors and their manager.

The first wave of releases are three live recordings - The Bright Midnight Sampler, culled from eight Doors performances in 1970, The Doors Live in Detroit and No One Gets Out Alive, a radio special with interview material.

'Good time'

The three surviving members of The Doors recently reunited for a concert in Hollywood.

Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore re-formed, with vocals provided by Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Ian Astbury of the Cult.

The three musicians were keen to release the recordings despite minor flaws because they felt the fans deserved to hear the band in its prime.

"There's some good material on there, there's some great material on there, there's some sloppy material on there, there's some fun material on there," said manager Danny Sugerman of the live recordings.

"There's some very drunk material on there. In Boston, Jim was pretty drunk and feeling good and letting everybody know. It's fun to let people see that side of Jim. He wasn't this sadistic, insane, angry drunk.

"He was having a good time and wanted people to have a good time with him. It's a fascinating glimpse of Jim."

Jim Morrison died in 1971 aged 27 and is buried in Pere Lachaise cemetary in Paris.