STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - RAY STEVENS - 1,837 SECONDS OF HUMOR

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Good morning Sunday people and welcome back to Stuck In The Vinyl Again. Today we joyfully celebrate the 82nd Birthday of Harold Ray Ragsdale, known the world over as the country and pop singer-songwriter and comedian, Ray Stevens. Happy Birthday Ray ! The Georgia native has been  inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Christian Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He has released 45 studio albums, 125 singles, 67 compilations, and 3 live albums, but before all that, he released this one, his debut, 1,837 Seconds Of Humor. 1,837 Seconds Of Humor came out in June 1962 on the Mercury label and produced by Shelby Singleton. The LP features Ray along with the the Merry Melody Singers and an orchestra conducted by Jerry Kennedy. "Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills" (#35 Hot 100, #83 Australia) Stevens' first charting single, and "Scratch My Back (I Love It)" (failed to chart) were released as singles. Besides "Ahab The Arab" and another selection, all these tunes were new to me. The artwork, featuring Ahab on camelback is by 
George T. Okamoto.

1. "Ahab the Arab" 3:45

2. "Saturday Night at the Movies" 2:42

3. "Popeye and Olive Oil" 3:05

4. "The Rockin' Boppin' Waltz" 1:35

5. "PFC Rhythm and Blues Jones" 2:08

6. "Scratch My Back (I Love It)" 2:04

Side 2

1. "The Rock and Roll Show" 4:22

2. "Julius Played the Trumpet" 2:35

3. "Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills" 2:22

4. "Further More" 2:19

5. "A Hermit Named Dave" 3:40

Ray Stevens - vocals

Background vocals: the Merry Melody Singers
Orchestra conducted by: Jerry Kennedy

Design – George T. Okamoto
Engineer – Mort Thomasson
Recording Supervisor, producer – Shelby Singleton