The Golden Scarab

by Ray Manzarek

The Golden Scarab cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 28 March 1974
  • Label: Mercury
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 44:01
  • Community rating: 3.19/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

On his debut solo outing following the final dissolution of The Doors, keyboardist Ray Manzarek explores complex jazz-rock and progressive song structures. The album features a conceptual lyrical focus on Egyptian mythology and existential themes, propelled by his signature Fender Rhodes and synthesizer work. Contributions from veteran session players like Tony Williams and Larry Carlton elevate the dense, fusion-oriented instrumentation.

Genres

Descriptors: improvisation, existential, conceptual

Tracklist

  1. He Can't Come Today (4:35)
  2. Solar Boat (5:15)
  3. Downbound Train (5:27)
  4. The Golden Scarab (6:42)
  5. The Purpose Of Existence Is? (6:42)
  6. The Moorish Idle (5:40)
  7. Choose Up And Choose Off (4:42)
  8. Oh Thou Precious Nectar Filled Form (Or) A Little Fart (4:58)

Credits

  • Ray Manzarek - primary artist, arranged by [arrangements], vocals, piano [pianos], organ, synthesizer
  • Jerry Scheff - bass
  • Mayuto Correa - congas, wood block, bongos
  • Steve Forman - cowbell [tuned cowbells], whistle [whistles], guiro, wood block [tuned wood blocks]
  • Anthony Williams - drums
  • Larry Carlton - guitar
  • Milt Holland - pandeiro, cowbell [african cowbells], cabasa, cuica

More from Ray Manzarek: full discography