November 27, 2012

Ray Stevens: Golden LP Series Extra...1992...

In this Golden LP Series extra we take a look at collection that became available in 1992. Collector's Series had quite a history through the years. It was originally a project released in 1985 by RCA showcasing eight recordings that Ray Stevens did for the label in the early '80s. That collection was re-issued in 1987 with a different album design and a slight change in song selection. The 1987 Collector's Series joined the CD market in 1992. The differences between the 1985 original and the 1987 re-issue was simply a matter of 1 song being replaced by another. In the 1985 collection it features, among it's 8 songs, his 1981 hit single during the Urban Cowboy era, "One More Last Chance". In the 1987 re-issue that song is left off while a novelty from 1980, "Put It In Your Ear", joins the collection. So, what we have in this 1992 CD are eight fabulous recordings from Ray Stevens during the early '80s. This Collector's Series is the only project to exclusively spotlight songs that he recorded for RCA. Unfortunately the series only featured 8 songs per artist. RCA artists both past and present were represented with a Collector's Series release. The songs featured on this obscure collection are: "Shriner's Convention", "You're Never Goin' To Tampa With Me", "Country Boy, Country Club Girl", "Where the Sun Don't Shine", "The Dooright Family", "Let's Do It Right This Time", "Why Don't We Go Somewhere and Make Love", and "Put It In Your Ear". Again, this project is the only release to feature RCA originated material and nothing more. Unless you have the vinyl albums that he recorded for RCA then this project is a must-have if you can track it down. It's been out of print for years and it's a great showcase of tragically overlooked material. The songs were recorded between the years of 1980 and 1982 and so we're talking about some very early '80s vintage Ray Stevens on this CD. It's a wonderful collection.

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