Customer Reviews

Serious Side of

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this 1995 CD is part of a three CD set that also includes "DO YOU WANNA DANCE?" and "CORNBALL". on this CD, Warner Brothers tracks are compiled at random off albums dating 1976, 1977, and 1978. "Be Your Own Best Friend", a hit from 1978, is the only actual hit song on the CD. the rest are album tracks. "One and Only You" is a motivational number, not to be confused with the pop hit of the same name. "Alone With You" has the misleading title. actually, the song deals with hatred as the man tells the woman: "...love is all gone and i'm all alone with you...""Set The Children Free" is a gospel song dealing with the children locked inside all adults. "L'amour" is breath taking. Ray was in his middle-of-the road period during this era and much of his singles sounded like songs you might here on a Barry Manilow album. Ray even used the self vocal harmony technique that became Manilow's trademark. "The Feeling's Not Right Again" is the epitome of Ray's easy listening era (ironically, this 1978 song would serve as the title of his 1979 album. the album's cover is a spoof of Manilow's 1975 album cover for "TRYIN' TO GET THE FEELIN") Ray's Warner Brothers songs are not readily available and this CD, along with it's two companion CDs from 1995, are essential for fans who don't have the original vinyl albums.

I really liked this CD because it gave me something besides the regular slapstick humor that Ray Stevens usually is known for. I particulary bought it because of a song called "Set the Children Free" because the lyrics make you think of what could happen if people let their lighter side show more often. This album is mostly for those who like Ray's actual singing and want to hear the lesser known hits from his albums.