Guitar Speak

Guitar Speak was issued in 1988 on I.R.S. Records under the No Speak imprint, catalog number X2 0777-7 13193 27, as a US CD release. It is an all-instrumental compilation featuring twelve guitarists, each contributing one exclusive track. The No Speak imprint was built around instrumental guitar recordings, and this entry in the series is the one that draws Doors collectors in specifically because of Robby Krieger's contribution, "Strut-A-Various," recorded solely for this project.

The physical packaging is standard jewel case construction, consistent with late-1980s CD production norms from I.R.S. Records. The front cover art leans into a graphic design aesthetic common to the period, with bold typography and a stylized visual presentation centered on the guitar-as-icon concept. The color palette is dark, with high-contrast lettering identifying the album title and the participating artists. The rear tray card lists all twelve tracks with their associated performers, giving collectors an at-a-glance roster of who appears and in what order. The disc itself carries the I.R.S./No Speak label markings, with catalog information pressed into the plastic hub area. The booklet, while not extensive, provides brief notes on each guitarist and frames the compilation's concept: rock guitar instrumentals, no vocals, each piece unique to this release. The pressing quality is competent for the era, though nothing about the physical object signals premium production. Jewel cases from this period are prone to cracking along the spine hinges, so finding a copy with an intact, un-repaired case in good condition is worth noting when evaluating any copy you encounter. The insert pages are straightforward, printed on standard stock, with no gatefold equivalent or poster insert. For a collector focused on Robby Krieger's post-Doors catalog, the packaging is modest but functional, and the catalog number stamped on the disc and tray card makes identification of this specific US pressing unambiguous.

The content is what makes this CD worth tracking down for any serious Krieger collector. "Strut-A-Various" is not a track that appeared on any Doors studio release, nor does it show up on the major Krieger solo records from the period. It was recorded specifically for this compilation, which gives it genuine exclusivity. That distinction matters when you are building a comprehensive collection of Krieger's recorded output Beyond The Doors catalog, the way serious collectors do when they work through releases like Go Insane or dig into the deeper cuts found in sets like The Doors Box Set Part 1 and The Doors Box Set Part 2. The track showcases Krieger's melodic approach to lead guitar, which longtime Doors followers will recognize immediately. The surrounding company on the disc is legitimate: Alvin Lee, Randy California, Eric Johnson, Leslie West, Ronnie Montrose, Steve Howe, Phil Manzanera, and Hank Marvin are not filler names. Each contributed a track exclusive to this LP, which means the compilation carries real documentary value as a snapshot of working rock guitarists in 1988. On Discogs, this US CD pressing shows 25 collectors reporting ownership and 9 with it on their want list, figures that place it firmly in the moderately uncommon range. It is not rare in the strict sense, but it is not something you stumble across in every used bin either. Collectors hunting Krieger's complete discography will find it worth adding alongside better-known Doors-adjacent releases. If you are cross-referencing Krieger's instrumental work, it pairs naturally with material from Love Her Madly / You Need Meat and other post-Doors output documented here on DoorsInfo. The track listing on this CD matches the original vinyl side assignments (A1 through B6), which is useful for collectors who own both formats and want to verify completeness. No bonus tracks were added for the CD edition, so the runtime is identical to the LP configuration.

For collectors focused on completeness, this US CD pressing of Guitar Speak (X2 0777-7 13193 27, I.R.S. Records, 1988) is a straightforward acquisition. It is not a pressing that commands significant premiums, but "Strut-A-Various" does not appear elsewhere in Krieger's catalog in this form, which makes the disc a necessary pickup for anyone serious about documenting his full recorded output. At current market prices it remains accessible, and the Discogs want-list numbers suggest demand is steady without being intense. Recommended for completionists.