Ray Manzarek - The Golden Scarab (1973)

thelizardking · 12-10-2013, 05:32 PM

This is my first album review, so if I have some flaws, just mention it, and I'll improve on it for next time.
Today, I'll be reviewing The Golden Scarab by former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek.

Ray Manzarek - The Golden Scarab (1973)
Track Listing:
1.He Can't Come Today
2.Solar Boat
3.Downbound Train
4.The Golden Scarab
5.The Purpose of Existence Is?
6.The Moorish Idol
7.Choose Up and Choose Off
8.Oh Thou Precious Nectar Filled Form (or) A Little Fart
9.Whirling Dervish
10.I Wake Up Screaming
11.Bicentennial Blues (Love It or Leave It)

Shortly after The Doors released their whimsy 1972 album Full Cirlce, the band split apart and went their separate career ways. Krieger and Densmore went to join I believe the Butts Band, while Manzarek went his different ways. He debuted with this, then followed it with The Whole Thing Started with Rock & Roll Now It's Out of Control and went to form a new band, Nite City, and finally record his last solo album for then, 1983's Carmina Burana, then onto other collaborations with different artists. This debut and the others have been unfortunately ignored in post-Doors history with the members, in my opinion.
The album begins with an obvious latin percussion-influenced track, He Can't Come Today, first starting with what seems a little childish drum melody but then progresses and evolves throughout the song. The song ends, and next comes what could possibly be my favorite track from the album.

Solar Boat starts as a soft slightly mellow possible fender...riff, to say. Then it turns into a classic Manzarek jazzy progression and instrumentation. The lyrics are well-written with references to earlier Doors songs and philosophers, possibly in memory of Jim Morrison.
The song slowly fades into a poem at the end, and the rougher third track Downbound Train starts, a heavy slightly jazz song, then the song ends and turns into another latin percussive track- the title track.

The Golden Scarab is a rather happy kind of song, with...out there instrumentation and strange- but good strange lyrics, and strong latin percussive sequences.
Next, the funky track The Purpose of Existence Is? ensues, with jazzy styles similar to that heard on Downbound Train, then progresses onto the next, The Moorish Idol.

The Moorish Idol starts out a little rough, but then a low but nice synth starts throughout this lovely instrumental, adding a nice touch.
We have Choose Up or Choose Off start, another rock-like track, then it moves onto the awkwardly titled Oh Thou Precious Nectar Filled Form (or) A Little Fart, a folk kind of song, then the first two bonus tracks go, but they aren't worth noting. Last but definitely not the least plays an instant classic, Bicentennial Blues.

Bicentennial Blues starts out with another possible Fender electric "riff", then turns into a latin style that reminds me of Santana. In the middle of the song, a familiar bass line and solo occur, which is actually a copy of Light My Fire with a latin kick, then the catchy opening Light my Fire riff plays and back to the song it goes, ending with a bang.
Overall, the album is great for fans of The Doors, and the latin style music, and people who are looking for a great quick listen. Sadly it is unheard of as said, but I do recommend it. Thanks for reading!
8/10

juan_mccoy · 03-08-2014, 01:05 PM

Wow, seriously i didnt know any of these till now. Thanking you lot for sharing something related to Doors.

OccultHawk · 03-08-2014, 01:55 PM

I hadn't heard of this record either. Interesting. My first impression is that he would have been better off moving in an instrumental jazz fusion direction.

Thanks for bringing this record to my attention.

thelizardking · 05-17-2014, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I hadn't heard of this record either. Interesting. My first impression is that he would have been better off moving in an instrumental jazz fusion direction.

Thanks for bringing this record to my attention.

No problem! Thanks for reading B-)

12-10-2013, 05:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
thelizardking Groupie Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 34	Ray Manzarek - The Golden Scarab (1973) This is my first album review, so if I have some flaws, just mention it, and I'll improve on it for next time. Today, I'll be reviewing *The Golden Scarab* by former Doors keyboardist *Ray Manzarek. Ray Manzarek - The Golden Scarab (1973)* Track Listing: 1.He Can't Come Today 2.Solar Boat 3.Downbound Train 4.The Golden Scarab 5.The Purpose of Existence Is? 6.The Moorish Idol 7.Choose Up and Choose Off 8.Oh Thou Precious Nectar Filled Form (or) A Little Fart 9.Whirling Dervish 10.I Wake Up Screaming 11.Bicentennial Blues (Love It or Leave It) Shortly after The Doors released their whimsy 1972 album Full Cirlce, the band split apart and went their separate career ways. Krieger and Densmore went to join I believe the Butts Band, while Manzarek went his different ways. He debuted with this, then followed it with The Whole Thing Started with Rock & Roll Now It's Out of Control and went to form a new band, Nite City, and finally record his last solo album for then, 1983's Carmina Burana, then onto other collaborations with different artists. This debut and the others have been unfortunately ignored in post-Doors history with the members, in my opinion. The album begins with an obvious latin percussion-influenced track, He Can't Come Today, first starting with what seems a little childish drum melody but then progresses and evolves throughout the song. The song ends, and next comes what could possibly be my favorite track from the album. *Solar Boat* starts as a soft slightly mellow possible fender...riff, to say. Then it turns into a classic Manzarek jazzy progression and instrumentation. The lyrics are well-written with references to earlier Doors songs and philosophers, possibly in memory of Jim Morrison. The song slowly fades into a poem at the end, and the rougher third track Downbound Train starts, a heavy slightly jazz song, then the song ends and turns into another latin percussive track- the title track. The Golden Scarab is a rather happy kind of song, with...out there instrumentation and strange- but good strange lyrics, and strong latin percussive sequences. Next, the funky track The Purpose of Existence Is? ensues, with jazzy styles similar to that heard on Downbound Train, then progresses onto the next, The Moorish Idol. The Moorish Idol starts out a little rough, but then a low but nice synth starts throughout this lovely instrumental, adding a nice touch. We have Choose Up or Choose Off start, another rock-like track, then it moves onto the awkwardly titled Oh Thou Precious Nectar Filled Form (or) A Little Fart, a folk kind of song, then the first two bonus tracks go, but they aren't worth noting. Last but definitely not the least plays an instant classic, Bicentennial Blues. Bicentennial Blues starts out with another possible Fender electric "riff", then turns into a latin style that reminds me of Santana. In the middle of the song, a familiar bass line and solo occur, which is actually a copy of Light My Fire with a latin kick, then the catchy opening Light my Fire riff plays and back to the song it goes, ending with a bang. Overall, the album is great for fans of The Doors, and the latin style music, and people who are looking for a great quick listen. Sadly it is unheard of as said, but I do recommend it. Thanks for reading! 8/10 __________________

03-08-2014, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
juan_mccoy Groupie Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 17	Wow, seriously i didnt know any of these till now. Thanking you lot for sharing something related to Doors.

03-08-2014, 01:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	I hadn't heard of this record either. Interesting. My first impression is that he would have been better off moving in an instrumental jazz fusion direction. Thanks for bringing this record to my attention.