Search - Ray Stevens :: Ray Stevens' Box Set

Ray's Anniversary

Jerry McDaniel | 11/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most of this Box Set consists of Ray's Curb recordings plus some of his songs from his own label, Clyde. The version of "It's Me Again Margaret" is from the recording from COMEDY VIDEO CLASSICS...i've watched the music video so many times i can tell i'm listening to the recording on here. For those who want original recordings, seek other collections...BUT, for Ray fans, this set is a must have because Ray throws in some never before available songs that can't be bought anywhere but on this Box Set. The new material on this Box Set that can't be found anywhere else are: "Family Funeral Fight", "Driver's Education"; "Kitty Cat's Revenge"; "We're Havin' a Baby"; "When the Kids are Gone"; "The Cat Song" and the ultra-rare "Hello Mama", the sequel to Ray's hit "Osama Yo Mama" from 2002.



The rest of the songs range from his Curb material during 1990-1993 plus material from his MCA return in 1997...then we hear songs from his THANK YOU album that came out in 2003 on his own label, Clyde. Ray even re-records his first Top-40 pop hit from 1961: "Jeremiah Peabody's Green and Purple Pills"...that is found on Disc #3, the closing track. This Box Set contains 3 CD's worth of Ray Stevens comedy and serious music...BUT none of the actual hit songs contained on here from the '60s, '70s, or '80s are the original recordings...the Box Set cover shows Ray at a table with his arms propped up looking over 4 gift boxes...he's watching the boxes sit...hence the title "Box Set". I give this collection 4 stars because i wish the original recordings of "The Streak" and "Ahab the Arab" and the other well-known hits were on here.



There also isn't any liner notes, either. A career going on 50 years but no liner notes or anything accompanying the collection was a bit strange. I recommend the collection for the casual fans and for those going on long road trips. The hardcore and more dedicated/devoted fans of which I consider myself can simply purchase the exclusive recordings from this collection at the MP3 store for 99 cents."

Sad, Sad Ray Stevens!

DJ Zath | Macomb Illinois | 02/26/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I have always loved Ray Steven's musical banter... however, this one's really a dissappointment.. Now, technically, the audio is clean and decent.. its the CONTENT itself thats the problem...



Ray re-sings these tracks- ALL of them, with the same "I-don't-care" ambiance throughout the set; to say, he sounds "BORED"!



The FLARE that was Ray Stevens is GONE! If you are a true fan of his works, then this box set will DISSAPPOINT you. If you are merely interested in something that sounds "digital karaoke", then this is for you.. cause thats exactly what it is. Ray grabs the lyric sheets and sings- but you can tell that he'd rather be doing something ELSE..

"

A Mixed Bag in terms of quality

J. Bonich | Woodbridge, VA | 06/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Bad:



When one thinks of a CD "box set", The phrase brings to mind a set with lavish packaging and the original recordings with some rare bonus songs. Unfortunately, this collection doesn't really live up to its name with its presentation. But I suppose the name "Box set" is better than "the thousandth Ray Stevens Greatest Hits package to hit the market". I guess most record labels simply find it easier to have artists re-record their previous hits rather than go through the hassle of licensing the originals. As other reviewers have stated, all the classic hits are recent re-recordings that were readily available to Curb, Ray's current label. Unfortunately, they weren't his best versions of the songs. On top of that, the set doesn't really work as a proper career retrospective as it focuses almost solely on his comedy. Ray Stevens' musical genious shined through the most on his serious Barnaby and Monument songs and are for the most part, completely omitted from this set. His 80s MCA era songs (when he recorded his funniest songs) is barely touched upon and we're left with, of course, most of his Curb recordings.



the Good:



- At least all the songs off the Curb albums are the original recordings

- Ear Candy! 8 tracks from the nearly impossible to find album Ray released on his own. (only Hang Up And Drive and No Lawyers In Heaven didn't make it to the unwisely named "Box Set")

- The unreleased and non-album tracks listed by the previous reviewer make this set well worth the price.

- The price. Curb Records seems to have a habit of doing things cheaply, and this 3 CD set is no exception. This is put together like a budget CD and thankfully, aptly priced. Considering the unreleased and hard-to-find gems on this set, Its a must-have for all Ray Stevens fans.

For those who want an introduction to Ray Stevens or are just casual fans, I recommend the Rhino "Best OF" and MCA "Greatest Hits 1 and 2" CDs over this one. But if you just want to spend 15 bucks on some very funny songs, you can't go wrong with this set.

"