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Ray Manzarek
The Golden Scarab
Released 1973
on Mercury
“The story of a young man’s search for consciousness”, it says. In a rock and roll world reeling from the death of the lizard king, did anyone want to listen to any cosmic debris from any of his cohorts? Hell, no. But-! this was one very cool record. The songs are all fine, strung together with a spoken narrative by Ray. Beautiful percussion stuff on “He Can’t COme Today”. Best Larry Carlton guitar playin throughout, and Tony Williams on drums. A fierce version of Mr. Berry’s rarely covered “Downbound Train”, those jazz guys rockin some. A bit of truth, and a big double cone of goofiness. Highly recommended.