Ray Stevens Box Set CD

 BUYER BEWARE! RE-RECORDINGS!
I have listened to this item and have found it to be a major disappointment. Apparently, Ray Stevens went and re-recorded a lot of stuff for this package. Why couldn't he stick with the original recordings? I have always liked Ray Stevens, but I am highly disappointed in this item. My advice: For a good best-of package with all the originals, buy "The Best of Ray Stevens" on the Rhino label.
Submitted by roypeden (Lakewood, WA)
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 Not quite what you think
There's lots here for the diehard fan, but be aware that many (if not all) of the big hits are presented here in an alternate version, usually not as good as the original hit. Still, there are many clever cuts here that I've never heard before.
Submitted by torbay101 (Cambridge, ON, Canada) 
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 How could anyone complain?
Ray Stevens has always been a major part of my life. His music has been the one constant that I have come to rely on not only to lift my spirits but to remind me that life can be funny despite...or rather in the midst of tragedy. When I read that Ray Stevens had re-recorded many of his classics as well as a few new songs for the Box Set, I jumped for joy. It's always good news to hear that Ray has been working on new material. I do appreciate Rays original recordings however more than I do his double, or triple takes...this however does not deter from the fact that even new interpretations of old songs can be quite entertaining. What's more, his new material is good...really good. Many have come to know Ray by his country/redneck persona and forget the fact that he is a musician who consistently thrives to be contemperary and relevant. In this most recent release we do find a few new songs that fit this well loved persona such as "Kitty Cat's Revenge" (fitting with the style found in "Blue Cyclone" and the recent song "Deer Slayer"), and "Family Funeral Fight" (which brings to mind "The Ballad of Jake McClusky"). This however is only taken in small quantities as the boxset litterally spans forty years of material...and regardless if you fail to appreciate his recent interpration of such loved songs such as "Everything is Beautiful", "Misty", and "Mississippi Squarrel Revival", it's hard to criticize or be dissapointed with his newer material...which in my opinion is above par with anything he's done over the past two decades. Don't get me wrong, Ray has made some incredible records over the past two decades, and perhaps in the long run the box set will still be overshadowed by such heavy records as "Lend Me Your Ears", "Hum It", "I never Made A Record I didn't Like", and "Surely You Joust", but even these great recordings fail to offer anything close to the catchy melodies, and overall enjoyment found in songs such as "Hello Mama" (A well needed song following the heels of "Osama Yo' Mama"), "When The Kids Are Gone", "The Cat Song", and "We're Havin' A Baby". The bottem line is that no true Ray Stevens fan would be caught dead not owning as many of his releases as possible (or am I just a nut?)...and for the price, this three disc box set is one of the best investments you could ever make. There's no point in denying it...you need this album.
Submitted by FreakUnderGlass (Los Angeles, CA)
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