Best of

Ray Stevens | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 1997)
• Original Release Date: September 16, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B00000343Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,540 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #54 in Music > Country > Comedy

Track Listings

1. Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green And Purple Pills

2. Ahab, The Arab

3. Santa Claus Is Watching You

4. Harry The Hairy Ape

5. Unwind

6. Mr. Businessman

7. Gitarzan

8. Along Came Jones

9. Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down

10. Everything Is Beautiful

11. America, Communicate With Me

12. Sunset Strip

13. Bridget The Midget (The Queen Of The Blues)

14. Turn Your Radio On

15. The Streak

16. Moonlight Special

17. Misty

18. I Need Your Help Barry Manilow

19. Shriner's Convention

20. In The Mood

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: STEVENS,RAY
Title: BEST OF RAY STEVENS
Street Release Date: 09/16/1997
Domestic
Genre: COUNTRY

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice career overview of this multi-talented performer, June 14, 2004

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

He is the #1 novelty recording artist of the past 40 years. He placed nearly 40 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop charts and for over two decades was a fixture on Billboard's Top Country Singles chart. And the man could croon with the best of them! Ray Stevens certainly made his mark on the American music scene. Much like the late Charlie Rich, another incredibly gifted and versatile performer, Ray Stevens might have achieved even greater commercial success had he concentrated on just one or two genres. But there were simply too many sides to Ray Stevens to allow that to happen. And he was a very gifted songwriter to boot.
This 1997 disc from Rhino is the most comprehensive Ray Stevens collection I have found. It includes many of the best known novelty recordings you would remember like "Ahab The Arab", "Gitarzan", "The Streak" and the hilarious "Bridget the Midget". One of my favorite Ray Stevens tunes is here as well, 1968's "Unwind". And if you are not convinced that there is a serious side to Ray Stevens listen to his moving performance of Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Mornin" Comin' Down". That one just might bring a tear to your eye. You will also find his Grammy award winning #1 hit from 1970 "Everything Is Beautiful" and my all-time favorite Ray Stevens tune "Misty". And just for good measure there is the little known 1979 recording "I Need Your Help Barry Manilow". If you have never heard that one be prepared to smile....you are in for a real treat! Rhino has done it's usual fine job with the included 16 page booklet. Because Rhino has managed to include material from 5 different record labels, it is unlikely you will ever find a more comprehensive collection of Ray Stevens work. I suggest you pick this one up while it is still available and enjoy the work of a truly talented artist. Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A versatile entertainer, December 25, 2001

By 

Scott N. Burton (Bridgeport,CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

After Spike Jones,Ray Stevens was the crown prince in the novelty song world. This single CD contains all his kooky classics such as "Ahab The Arab", "Gitarzan", & "The Streak." By the way, that was Ray's biggest all-time seller. It topped the Billboard "Hot 100" for three weeks in the spring of 1974. What's also exceptional about this collection,is that you hear Ray's serious side, as well. Check out "Mr.Businessman", "Sunday Morning Coming own", which by the way, was penned by an unknown singer-songwriter named Kris Kristofferson, & "America, Communicate With Me." The liner notes by Dr.Demento contain some interesting tidbits of information-For example,Ray was initially asked to sing "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" before BJ Thomas. I also liked Ray's version of "Misty"-He gives a real country feel to it-Anyway, if you're a Ray Stevens aficionado,purchase this CD.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection, August 14, 2001

By 

Ray (AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

As I state in other reviews, I'm interested in finding the original versions of songs from the 50's and 60's. This collection comes on up to about 1980 or so with "Shriner's Convention". As far as I can tell (with these aging ear drums), all of the earlier songs are the original versions I used to listen to on the AM radio in one of my old Ford coupes or my buddy's MG. However, I must admit that I never heard of some of the less popular ones. Your grandkids will love "Santa Claus is Watching You". You may have to explain about Clyde. In any case, whether you like Ray Stevens or not, this is a top notch collection of a unique genre which you can pass on to your descendants as the real thing.