The Very Best of Ray Stevens is a collection of 12 previously released singles that were hits for novelty/country artist,
Ray Stevens;[2] it was released in December 1975 by
Barnaby Records. While this collection has more emphasis on Stevens' hits for Barnaby, it also contains three from the label of
Monument Records ("Unwind," "Mr. Businessman," and "Gitarzan") and two from
Mercury Records (Stevens' first label). The version of "Mr. Businessman" is the single release. "
Gitarzan" is the album version that begins with an audience cheering and applauding. "
Ahab the Arab" is the original recording that was released by Mercury (Stevens had re-recorded the song for his album Gitarzan in 1969).