LIVE FROM MONTREUX VOLUME 2

LIVE FROM MONTREUX. VOLUME 2 : This is the legitimate live recording from the "Live In Copenhagen" concert albeit a single Cd with the same band members and with almost similar songs except for two track. Akin to having the same album. Of course the sound here is understandably more superior.

The Really "Serious: Introduction - Quincy Jones & Ringo : Quincy Jones introduced Ringo Starr and he in turn made the introduction to the show.

I'm The Greatest ( Lennon ) : - Ringo : Never get tired of this great John Lennon composition. The notable change to the lyric was when Ringo sings '52' instead of '32.' Hard to believe how the years have flies.

Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go ( Starkey / Warman / Grainger ) - Ringo : A great performance of his most recent recording. Maybe it's the better recording but I find this a wilder and more rousing performance than on the previous live recording.

Yellow Submarine ( Lennon / McCartney ) - Ringo : Another version of this old Beatles classic as only Ringo can delivered. Nice to hear Ringo urging the audiences to join in and they willing complied.

Desperado ( Henley / Frey ) - Joe Walsh : One of the two songs that was not on the other Cd. Joe didn't sing this on the original Eagles' version. His voice is more edgier and hoarse as compared to Don Henley  but he did a commendable version here and well received as evidenced by the crowd's applause.

I Can't Tell You Why ( Schmit / Henley / Frey ) - Timothy B. Schmit : This is definitely better than on the unofficial Cd. The recording is crystal clear.

Girls Talk ( Costello ) - Dave Edmunds : The rocking continued with this Elvis Costello original. Funny, I could never appreciate any Elvis Costello's songs but I find this quite enjoyable or could it be a case of the singer and not the song.

Weight Of The World ( O' Doherty / Velz ) - Ringo : His latest single. A shame really but this is a great track that didn't really do anything for Ringo.

Bang On The Drum ( Rundgren ) - Todd Rundgren: As this is the official release, I gather that on the bootleg Cd, the compiler got the song title confused. On that Cd, this song was called ''Bang The Drum All Day' which got me slightly confused too. Still a good song is a good song by any other name.

Walking Nerve ( Lofgren ) - Nils Lofgren : The second song not on the bootleg Cd. Lots of extreme drumming that's made for Ringo.

Black Maria ( Rundgren ) - Todd Rundgren : A haunting moment for this rocker. Yet again the different between a bad and a good recording is much in evidence here.

In The City ( Walsh / DeVorzon ) - Joe Walsh : The ex Eagles let out with this track from The Eagles' "The Long Run" album. As with the above, good production and recording does made you hear things you haven't heard before.


American Woman ( Bachman / Cummings / Peterson / Cale ) - Burton Cummings : Identical to the bootleg version albeit better production.

Boys ( Dixon / Farrel ) - Ringo : Same as the version on the bootleg. Here you can actually feel the vibes from the performance. It's electrifying.

With A Little Help From My Friends ( Lennon / McCartney ) - Ringo : The final number that actually demands for audiences participation and the audience does not disappoint and neither did Ringo who asked them to sing louder than the band.

DOP : 26th July 1997.

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL - STARR BAND : LIVE IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, EUROPEAN TOUR '92, 18th JULY '92

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL - STARR BAND : LIVE IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK. EUROPEAN TOUR '92, 18th JULY '92.  Normally I don't make it a habit to buy bootleg albums but this is a bootleg album. You can't find any information on it from the Internet at all. I was conned into accepting this album because I was supposed to make an exchange with another Beatles fans but his selfishness made him trade this rather than the one I really wanted and one that we've agreed on, which he have two too. Anyway, aAll Starr Band which was a great success and gives him and the has-beens a new lease of life musically. Personally I think he should approached his studio recordings this way.
s expected, the recording wasn't that great but as a live album, I think Ringo did much better than his studio albums, mainly 'cos he don't have to carry the whole show by himself. There are lots of varieties of oldies acts to be found in his

DISC 1 :

Pre Show Noise : A bit of guitar twirling and drumming and the shows underway to a rousing start.....

I'm The Greatest ( Lennon ) - Ringo Starr : Always loved this John Lennon penned classic. Performed to almost the same as the album note by note except for the notable missing of the other two Beatles. Only let down is the uneven sounds.

No No Song ( Axton / Jackson ) - Ringo Starr : Ringo couldn't go wrong with this classic and this is also one song that he can't NOT perform. The crowds wouldn't let him be.

No Time ( Cummings / Bachman ) - Burton Cummings : Former Guess Who's front man Burton Cummings on this rocker. Never heard this before but it is a good track and nicely performed.

Girls Talk ( Costello ) - Dave Edmunds : Another fine track that I have never heard before. If this trench is continued, Ringo could be in danger of being over shadowed.

Rocky Mountain Way ( Walsh / Grace / Passarelli / Vitale ) - Joe Walsh : Joe's turn to shine and shine he did with his hoarse vocal and  at the mid instrumental part where he let his guitar did the singing via his talk box. Awesome.

I Can't Tell You Why ( Schmit / Henley / Frey ) - Timothy B. Schmit : This was done almost to a T to the original Eagles version except for a slightly longer fade out. Not really my favourite Eagles song but here, it's makes a nice varieties.

Shine Silently ( Lofgren / Wagner ) - Nils Lofgren : As the title implied, this is a softer moment. A change of pace but a nice change nevertheless.


Bang The Drum All Day ( Rundgren ) - Todd Rundgren : A fun track as Todd Rundgren incited the audience to clap and join along. Ringo should have done this as drumming was his business.

Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go ( Starkey / Warman / Grainger ) - Ringo Starr : Good as the song may be but people included yours, truly really preferred hearing Ringo singing his Beatles' or his early solo hits. Well, you can't really please all I supposed. Still, the pace matched the earlier rockers.

Yellow Submarine ( Lennon / McCartney ) - Ringo Starr : This Beatles classic is performed with the willing anticipation of the audience making it like a carnival affairs. It is moment like this that makes going to a live show worth every cents..

Lady Madonna ( Lennon / McCartney ) - Dave Edmunds : This could have been a good instrumental version of this classic but the bad and uneven recording prevents it. A pity 'cos there were great anticipation for this judging from the audience's reaction to the intro. During the performance, the audiences were so attentive and quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Incredible.

One World ( Rundgren / Powell / Kasim / Wilcox ) - Todd Rundgren : A softer moment from this powerhouse performer. Not exactly a nice tune but his performance is noteworthy.

Keep On Trying - Timothy B. Schmit :  I have to admit that I was actually about to write off this track by this ex Eagles man but his enthusiasm and the audiences participating and clapping won me over.

DISC 2 :

Wiggle ( Capello ) - Tim Capello :  This fine almost instrumental track is better than the slight vocal on this track. The guitars and trumpets here are awesome.

Black Maria ( Rundgren ) - Todd Rundgren : Clearly Todd Rundgren is one of the highlight performers here other than Ringo. His songs and his delivery of them somehow have that special something that lift them out of the average or at least to me. The guitar solo is great.

In The City ( Walsh / DeVorzon ) - Joe Walsh : Another ex Eagles doing an Eagles song. Again not my favorite Eagles song but he stayed faithful to the original. Wish he would do 'Those Shoes.'

Introducing Band Members - Ringo Starr : Ringo introducing the band members.

You're Sixteen ( Sherman / Sherman ) - Ringo Starr : One of Ringo most popular hit which he doesn't sing nowadays now that he is in his 70's, which is a shame but which also cannot be help for a man in his 70s singing about his longing for a teenage girl would be hard to take anyhow.

Weight Of The World ( O' Doherty / Velez ) - Ringo Starr : Another track from his last album, "Time Takes Time," which was also his single at this time. Done in the same as on the album. Actually quite a good track but sadly, it would takes a miracle to return Ringo to the chart.

Wanted Man - Nils Lofgren : An track with extreme drumming backing. Wonders if it's done with Ringo in mind. A track to rival Todd Rundgren's 'Bang The Drum All Day,' earlier in the set.

I Hear You Knocking ( Bartholomew / King ) - Dave Edmunds : First heard this when I was  an impressible young boy, still wet between the ears and the first time I've heard the name Dave Edmunds. Sounds pretty much the same as the first time I heard it. Wasn't much impressed by it then but I am impressed now. More than 40 years late but still, better late than never.

American Woman ( Bachman / Cummings / Peterson / Cale ) - Burton Cummings : Yet another song that I've heard when I was young by The Guess Who but I remember it as a fast pace noisy rocker that I don't really like. I don't really remember the slow intro but I guess it works in a live setting. Don't like it then but I like it now and I find it awesome. Guess time changes people and their taste too.

Boys ( Dixon / Farrell ) - Ringo Starr : Not one of my favorite non Beatles composed song but Ringo usually drives the audiences wild with this track and  he is still doing it even after all these year. I actually like this more than The Beatles version with a prolong instrumental bridge.

Photograph ( Starkey / Harrison ) - Ringo Starr : You got to hand it to Ringo. He sure knows how to drive the audiences up to a frenzy before he starts on this, his finest solo single, done almost to perfection.

Act Naturally ( Russell / Morrison ) - Ringo Starr : I have always love this track from the "Help!" album and Ringo didn't disappoint either.Fun filled and infectious, Ringo dedicates this song to all the cowboys and cowgirls in the audiences. This one will have you on your feet.

With A Little Help From My Friends ( Lennon / McCartney ) - Ringo Starr : The quintessential Ringo Starr song that Ringo couldn't get away without singing. This one as expected have all the audiences singing and clapping along.

DOP : Unknown.

TIME TAKES TIME

TIME TAKES TIME : There was a considerable lapse of time between this album and his last which was "Bad Boy." which actually was quite a good album on repeated listening. A lapse of 9 years to be exact. Ringo came back with this critically acclaimed album but by then Ringo Starr have disappointed me too many times for me to care and I really haven't a clue what the fuss was all about. It's hard for me to take Ringo seriously as a singer. But with this album, Ringo seems determined to be taken seriously in his music. Ringo doesn't really possess the best of voice. During the time of The Beatles, he was only given just a song to sing per album and that was okay for a novelty moment but to listen to a whole album of him singing is quite stretching it. In The Beatles, we like him because he was seen as the clown, the goofy one but here he seems so deadly serious. I buy his albums base on his Beatles past more for displace on my shelf than for listening purpose. I got this again at a slight cheaper price at a discount. Maybe Ringo is trying to tell us something or is it just me. I find most of the titles here are reminiscing of Beatles songs.

Weight Of The World ( O' Doherty / Velez ) : This is quite an interesting track and a good start for the album. Good guitar intro.

Don't Know A Thing About Love ( Feldman / Lynch ) : More or less the same as the previous song. Good actually with an infectious chorus.

Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go ( Starkey / Warman / Grainger ) : This was a regular staple of his live act. A straight forward no frill rock 'n' roll track. Incidentally, Gary Grainger was the guy who co wrote quite a few big hits with Rod Stewart during the 70's.

Golden Blunders ( Auer / Stringfellow ) : Another strong track. Ringo outdid himself here with this ballad. I never could stomach his slower songs in the 70's but here he sounded confidence with a good chorus to boot.

All In The Name Of Love ( Williams ) : Actually a great track. It could have been greater but sometimes the placing of the tracks does count in an album. If you have played this song with other artists, it would certainly sound great but here it sounds just like another songs from the album.

After All These Years ( Starkey / Warman ) : Same as above. Nice but not substantial which really is a bloody shame. Ringo seems to be really trying to come up with a nice album.

I Don't Believe You ( Sturmer / Manning ) : This is a slightly different track than the others with the kind of answering vocals that was done so well by The Beatles. Remember 'With A Little Help From My Friends.' A fun and playful track.

Runaways ( Starkey / Warman ) : Honestly, there isn't really an all bad track here but if I have to choose one, this would be it. Not entirely bad only that it loses out to the charms of the tracks here. Not memorable.

In A Heartbeat ( Warren ) : If there is one track that is memorable here, it's got to be this one. Written by Diana Warren, it had just the right note for Ringo to unleash his charm if he have any left. This lady sure knows how to write a song, I have this tune in my head for days.When was the last time, a Ringo Starr's song managed to do that..

What Goes Around ( Suchow ) : A nice close to a rather nice album courtesy of Mr. Ringo Starr.

DOP : 9th August 1997.

OLD WAVE

OLD WAVE :  Before this album, there was "Stop And Smell The Roses" which I have on vinyl but not on Cd. It was beginning to be a drag to listen to any Ringo Starr 's albums after his "Ringo" through "Ringo's Rotogravure." At least I've lasted through "Ringo's Rotogravure." which I happened to thikn is a fine album. Most people have already written him off by then. I got this on discount as usual. There are not that many Ringo's albums that I would buy at the original full price. Ringo's collaboration with Joe Walsh made this almost a country rock set reminiscent of The Eagles and this was really a good thing. Almost a Joe Walsh album with Ringo as guest artist. Ringo should hang around more with Joe Walsh who could have been his very own George Martin.

In My Car ( Walsh / Starkey / Foster / Goody ) : Mingling with Joe Walsh of The Eagles was not a bad idea at all as it brought a much needed rock sound to Ringo's laid back vocal. A solid track.

Hopeless ( Walsh / Starkey ) : As was usually the case, the second song of any album just have to keep up the momentum or the listener will lose interest and this winning track is no exception.

Alibi ( Walsh / Starkey ) : Clearly Joe Walsh is good for Ringo. The third original and still no sign of slowing down.

Be My Baby ( Walsh ) : A straight rock 'n' roll number proving that Ringo can cut it if given the proper material. Joe Walsh is almost talking through his guitar. Something he created to perfection on 'Those Shoes' on the The Eagles' "The Long Run" album.

She's Always A Mover ( Sahm ) : Ringo's vocal here is just about spot on on this uptempo crowd pleaser.

I Keep Forgettin' ( Leiber / Stoller ) : A good cover. One of the highlight I would say. Ringo's voice is almost unrecognisable but a good interpretation anyhow.

Picture Show Life ( Reid / Slate ) : I can't believe that till now I have still to find a bad track. A new favourite of mine. This is seriously good.

As Far As We Can Go ( Ballard ) : Ballads is one kind of music that Ringo should do well to stay away from. His stab at them on "Goodnight Vienna" stills leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But here he puts in just the right amount of feel in the song., making it almost
nice.

Everybody's In A Hurry But Me ( Starkey / Walsh / Entwistle / Clapton / Stainton ) : This is almost an instrumental with Ringo only mentioning the title. Not terribly exciting but tolerable due to the fine songs that he have given us.

Going Down ( Walsh / Starkey ) :  This is the same as the above with Ringo singing out the song title. Some fine drumming here I may add.

BONUS TRACK

As Far As We Can Go [ Original Version ] ( Ballard ) : The original version of this song which was slightly longer than the one originally issued on the record. Fine vocal.

DOP : 9th May 2010.

BAD BOY

BAD BOY : Before this album, there was "Ringo The 4th" which I have on vinyl but not on Cd. On "Ringo The 4th," which was generally considered his worst album. I still managed to find some solace on some of the song but by the time this album came out, my interest in Ringo Starr have waned considerable. The novelty of being in the greatest band on earth has worn off and the fact that Ringo's albums is getting from bad to worst doesn't help either. Ringo is beginning to be both an embarrassment and a joke. I find it a real torture to listen to his album. I buy his albums more as a decorative piece than to listen to it. I found this Cd in a flea market. I would never in my right frame of mind buy it in its original form. After listening to this album again, I find it's not really as bad as I've always thought it would be. If I have got this album when it first came out, I would approach it like visiting an old friends but as it is, this was like a new Cd to me. Ringo's bad reputation over the years seems to have over shadow the music that he is making. Some of them could be good but his reputation tends to make people stay away. Sad but true.

Who Needs A Heart ( Poncia / Starkey ) : As a starter, this is not bad track at all. I even find it enjoyable.

Bad Boy ( Armstrong / Long ) : A strange track this with Ringo's singing echoing over the title. Quite good too. Being the title track, it shouldn't be bad and it doesn't..

Lipstick Traces [ On A Cigarette ] ( Neville ) : Hey, this is a great rocking track. Dynamic horn and a refreshing piano solo with great backing. Maybe I have been too hard on Ringo.

Heart On My Sleeve ( Gallagher / Lyle ) : A sentimental song with nick backing again. Not as bad as I've initially thought.

Where Did Our Love Go ( Holland / Dozier / Holland ) : This classic have being covered by many artists of note. Ringo's version is one of the better one I would say. I say he have great advice on the choice of materials for this album.

Hard Times ( Skellern ) : The intro to this track had me converted already. A great solid track with great vocal by Ringo.

Tonight ( McLagan / Pidgeon ) : Who could have thought Ringo have it in him to pull off such a beautiful vocal.

Monkey See - Monkey Do ( Franks ) : An average track but not necessarily bad. Just not memorable.

Old Time Relovin' ( Poncia / Starkey ) : A slow number and yet another fine vocal from this drummer. At least he doesn't make me want to cringe but the overly long fade out could have been shorter.

A Man Like Me ( O' Lachainn ) : Somehow I am more tolerable of Ringo here and this track is no exception. It's started out quite promising but grew monotorous towards the end. Overall the album is not too bad
but for some reasons I won't be playing this Cd anytime soon either.

DOP : 21th March 2008.

RINGO'S ROTOGRAVURE

RINGO'S ROTOGRAVURE :  The first Cd's along with "Ringo" that I've ever bought from the Internet. So you can imagine how much I love this album. Curiously, this one did even worst than "Goodnight Vienna" and I was real surprised. While "Goodnight Vienna," was good, it did have a few fillers but this album had no fillers at all. By this time, Ringo's novelty as a Beatle was beginning to wear off and the fact that his albums are not really very good doesn't help matter much either. From this point on, Ringo's albums sales just went downhill until the 80's.  Still, I loved this album and like "Ringo," his three brothers from The Beatles each gave him a song. John Lennon and Paul McCartney was at hand to assist him along with a host of other superstar guests. So, how could this go wrong ? Taste changed I supposed. The original album came with a plastic magnifying glass, the same as the one Ringo is holding on the cover.

A Dose Of Rock 'n Roll ( Grossman ) : A great opener for the album. This original written for Ringo would have done wonders have it been released a few years back. Sadly, it didn't do much as a single.

Hey Baby ( Cobb / Channel ) : The mood continued with this upbeat remake of this Bruce Channel classic. A great track and undoubtedly one of the highlights.

Pure Gold ( McCartney ) : Though not as great as 'Six O'clock' on "Ringo," this was not couch either. Paul McCartney couldn't write a bad tune during this time even if he tried.

Cryin' ( Poncia / Starkey ) : If Ringo have included this on his "Beaucoup Of Blues" album a few years back, it would surely have blown everything away on that album. Yeah this was that good.

You Don't Know Me At All ( Jordan ) : Not exactly a bad track but somewhat rendered insufficient due to the avalanche of good tracks all at once.

Cookin' [ In The Kitchen Of Love ] ( Lennon ) : I don't understand why some people after hearing this accused John Lennon of giving sub standard tune to Ringo. Listen to this and see if you agree. Uptempo and upbeat, I find this to be one of the highlights of the album. My sister loves this too.

I'll Still Love You ( Harrison ) : This tender ballad says just that. George Harrison still love Ringo Starr enough to give him this heartfelt ballad. One of my favourite track here.

This Be Called A Song ( Clapton ) : A song written by no less than Eric Clapton. Still, this one sounds like a throwaway and unbelievably boring.  I usually skipped this.

Las Brisas ( Andrews / Starkey ) : Who would have thought Ringo had it in him to come up with this delightful little ditty backed by a mariachi band. Sweet.

Lady Gaye ( Poncia / Starkey / Ward ) : Not really a bad track but not terribly memorable either. Still doesn't warrant a press on the skip button.

Spooky Weirdness : Looks like some of the weirdness from John Lennon have rubbed off on Ringo. Just a short collage of weird sound.

DOP : 19th January 2006.

GOODNIGHT VIENNA

GOODNIGHT VIENNA : While this album followed the same format as "Ringo", its appeal is not so immediate. I first heard this album from a cartridge from my brother's car. I was captivated by a few of the tracks. John Lennon was the only Beatle present with a few superstar guests. While some of them were first rated, some of them were not so good. Understandably, this did not do as well as "Ringo," but still worth buying if you are a Ringo fan.

[ It's All Da Da Down To ] Goodnight Vienna ( Lennon ) : This John Lennon's track has in Ringo's words gusto and lots of it. It just struck you in the eyes and hook on to you.

Occapella ( Toussaint ) : This has got to be one of the greatest song ever recorded by Ringo Starr. Simply loved this song and the horns are awesome.

Oo - Wee ( Starkey / Poncia ) : Just an average song that also double up as the B side to his smash hit 'No No Song' also to be found here. Tolerable.

Husband And Wives ( Miller ) : Ringo shouldn't ever tried this kind of song that showcased the artist's vocal prowess 'cos he just doesn't have the pipes for it. This one is rather hard on the ear. Neil Diamond did a far better version.

Snookeroo ( John / Taupin ) : Things picks up with this Elton John's original. Ringo sang this just fine as it was tailor written for him. One of the album's highlights.

All By Myself ( Poncia / Starkey ) : Another winner. This is a fun filled danceable track. John Lennon played guitar here while producer Richard Perry lends his bass vocal on the chorus. This could have been the next single.

Call Me ( Starkey ) : Things went down slightly with this Ringo's original. Not exactly a bad track but sandwitched between two highlights of the album, it can't be helped.

No No Song ( Axton / Jackson ) : Got to be one of the best single ever puts out by any  ex Beatles and undoubtedly Ringo's best vocal. Infectious and fun, you just can't help smiling at the lyric and Ringo's delivery of it.

Only You [ And You Alone ] ( Ram / Rand ) : Believe it or not, this was the first time I have ever heard this classic. Though it was a hit for Ringo, I find his low key vocal rather flat. John Lennon did a similar arrangement with 'Stand By Me' on his "Rock 'n' Roll' which kicked ass..

Easy For Me ( Nilsson ) : Probably the weakest track on the album. Ringo should be more selective of the materials given to him. I usually skipped this track.

Goodnight Vienna [ Reprise ] ( Lennon } : A short reprise of this winning track to close the album.

EXTRA TRACKS :

Back Off Boogaloo ( Starkey ) : This was the follow up to Ringo's first solo smash 'It Don't Come Easy.'.I don't quite like this. Too noisy for me.

Blind Man ( Starkey ) : This theme song from the movie of the same which also starred Ringo Starr was only previously available as the B side of 'Bank Off Boogaloo,' until now. Not a terribly interesting track.

Six O'clock ( McCartney / McCartney ) : One of my favourite track from "Ringo." This extended version was not really essential with a prolong fade out. They already did it right on the "Ringo" album so this was not really necessary.

DOP : 14th November 2004.

RINGO

RINGO : 1973 was a great year for Beatles fans. Each of The ex Beatles came out with an album. Paul McCartney was and always have been the most profilic have two. "Red Rose Speedway" and the multi award winning "Band On The Run." George Harrison have "Living In The Material World' while John Lennon came out with ":Mind Game.". As Ringo was never much of a composer, so understandably he didn't do as well as his other three more celebrated colleagues. With this in mind, his three brothers came to his aid with each contributing a song of two for this album. With John's "I'm The Greatest," it was the closest The Beatles ever came together since their break up three years ago. Paul was not in the same track but he would have if not for immigration problems. With a little help from his friends, Ringo have finally came up with an album truly worthy of a Beatle. As a final stamp of approval for this album, my father who knows nary a work of English, loved this album together with Paul's "Band On The Run" so much that he got his friend to tape it for him to listen to in the car. This was also, together with "Ringo's Rotogravure", the first Cds that I've bought through the net via Amazon.

I'm The Greatest ( Lennon ) : Absolutely loved this awesome track by the one and only John Lennon. George Harrison was in the background providing the guitar while Ringo sang. You can even hear John singing in the background.

Have You Seen My Baby ( Newman ) : The goods continued with this rocking track. Honestly I couldn't keep still. It was a happy song. The band was enjoying themselves and it shows.

Photograph ( Harrison / Starkey ) : Widely considered to be one of Ringo's best tune and undoubtedly it was, George Harrison could be heard singing in the background.

Sunshine Life For Me [ Sail Away Raymond ] ( Harrison ) : Funny that George always sounded so sad on his own album and yet he could composed something so joyful for his pal. Great.

You're Sixteen [ You're Beautiful And You're Mine ] ( Sherman / Sherman ) : The next smash from this album was an old Johnny Burnette number which Ringo made his. Paul McCartney plays kazoo here.

Oh My My ( Poncia / Starkey ) : Ringo shows us that he sure knows how to boogie in this great dancable track.

Step Lightly ( Starkey ) : The mood slowed down slightly on t
his fine but not great Ringo original.

Six O'Clock ( McCartney / McCartney ) : I absolutely loved this Paul McCartney's song. The first time I heard it, the tune just stuck to me. This was one of those songs that I use to sing to myself while cycling to town on my trusty old bike.

Devil Woman ( Starkey / Poncia ) : The pace speeds up again on this bountiful track. Though the lyric are nothing to shout about, the tune is infectious and keeps you grooving.

You And Me [ Babe ] ( Harrison / Evans ) : Another slow number to effectively close the original album but wait the fun's not over yet.

BONUS TRACKS :

It Don't Come Easy ( Starkey ) : Ringo's first true hit. Generally considered one of the best post Beatles hit and I agreed. There's a George Harrison's demo of this song floating around that somehow had me suspicious that George may have a hand in the penning of this classic.

Early 1970 ( Starkey ) : Although, each of The Beatles had written songs about each other, Ringo's take here reminds one of the best on the subject matter. It's optimistic with a fine tune at the very least.

Down And Out ( Starkey ) : This B side to 'Photograph' is a repetitive song that may just grow on you if you gives it a few more listen.

23rd January 2006.

BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES

BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES : The second album from Ringo Starr. Around this time, Ringo was still searching for his identity in music. This was a country album, a style far removed from its predecessor, "Sentimental Journey' which was a collection of oldies that his mother liked. Ringo have always like country music. Critics have preferred this to his first album but not me. While I find some moment of solace in his first album, I find this a rather tiring listen. This was actually an album of new songs composed specially for Ringo. If it have been an album of covers, it could have been mildly enjoyable like his previous album. Every time I put on this Cd and that was between years, mind you, nothing remains in my mind. The songs here are just not memorable at all. Maybe one or two for a few moments but overall, not an album I enjoyed listening to. I like the cover though.

Beaucoups Of Blues ( Rabin ) : The single that was released but it didn't do too well. Always the odd one out among his greates
t collection, which was usually rock in nature. Listen as a stand along track, it's pleasant enough but 10 more of this kind of music......

Love Don't Last Long ( Howard ) : Not an entirely bad track. Could even grow to like it if I've listened to it a few more time.

Fastest Growing Heartache In The West ( Kingston / Dycus ) : This uptempo track lifts the mood up slightly. One of the better track here.

Without Her ( Pickard ) :  This could have been better if sung by a better equipped artist. Ringo just doesn't have the chop to pull this kind of lonesome song off. Not a bad track. Only problem was with the delivery.

Woman Of The Night ( Pickard ) : Could have been the same song as the previous to me if I have not look at the credits. Probably because it was written by the same guy and delivered in the same passionless style as the singer.


I'd Be Talking All The Time ( Howard / Pickard ) : This flared slightly better 'cos of the slightly uptempo  instrumental and the fiddling.

$15 Draw ( Pickard ) : A lukewarm track. Interesting story though. Four tracks by the same writer in a row. Ringo should have known that Beatles Land.
he is now not in

Wine, Women And Loud Happy Songs ( Kingston ) : Now only I see the wisdom of why The Beatles let Ringo sings only one song per album. His laid back singing could put normal folks to sleep. Dean Martin he ain't.

I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way ( Howard ) : Another track that have me aching to press the skip button. The slight saving grace was the girly chorus backing him.

Loser's  Lounge ( Pierce ) : Now this is one track that actually works. Ringo's vocal blends in well with this joyful track. This one actually have me shaking my head with the tune.

Waiting ( Howard ) : Seems the previous fun track was not infectious. We are back to sleep inducing track here. I'm thankful that we are almost coming to an end. While Ringo's waiting for his love one, I am waiting for the album to end.

Silent Homecoming ( Pickard ) : The last track and probably if it's a record, I'll be standing and waiting by the side of the record player.

Coochy Coochy ( Starkey ) :  Ironically, it was this original from Ringo Starr, who was not really a composer of note that woke me up from the slumber that Ringo puts me to the first place. A kind of rock meets country track.

Nashville Jam [ Instrumental ] ( Daniels / Kirby / Howard / Pickard / Reed / Shook / Kennedy / Drake / Keith / Huskey Jnr. Harman / McCoy / Richey / Lavender / Buchanan / Fontana / Starkey ) : Just an album filler, not unlike George Harrison's mindless jam on his "All Things Must Pass" album or an indication that Ringo can make just
as much noise as his more celebrated one time colleague can.

DOP : 11th January 1997.

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY :  The first album by Ringo Starr as a solo artist after the break up of The Beatles. In Ringo's words ' songs that my mother like.' I didn't buy this album when it first came out. Only years later I got it at a slight lesser price. I only pay full price for selected Ringo's Cds. Still, the songs selections here are not really as bad as some people said it to be and I found myself enjoying it. Ringo Starr is not really the best singer in the world and the producers here have wisely kept the key in accordance to his  ability. I don't listen to Ringo a lot although I've bought most of his Cds that are available but this is one of his few Cds that I find myself listening to.

Sentimental Journey ( Green / Brown / Homer ) : This old Doris Day standard was given a fine rendition by Ringo that even she would be hard pressed to find fault with. A lazy type of singing that would not be entirely out of place in a Dean Martin album. 

Night And Day ( Porter ) : Big band orchestration take center stage here. You can almost imagine Ringo in a tuxedo tap dancing along to the music.

Whispering Grass [ Don't Tell The Trees ] ( Fisher / Fisher ) : This is one diamond in the rough. Probably due to the it's being one of the lease known tune here helps Ringo made this tune his own. A pleasant surprise to see Ringo holding on his own here.

Bye Bye Blackbird ( Dixon / Henderson ) : Ringo did this version with a banjo filled instrumental arranged by Bee Gees' Maurice Gibb.

I'm A Fool To Care ( Daffan ) : The composer, Ted Daffan was quite a big star in the 1940's with this  being one of his better composition and Ringo sure did it justice too.

Stardust ( Carmichael / Parish ) : Admittedly, Ringo could never outdo this standard by Nat 'King' Cole, frankly who could, but Ringo's version here is certainly not bad too. His enthusiasm in the rendition of this song is a winning factor too. And oh, this song was arranged by Paul McCartney.

Blue, Turning Grey Over You ( Razaf / Waller ) : Maybe he still have the Beatles factor in him but Ringo surely is giving good vocals here as in most of the songs here much to the surprise of us all nonbelievers.

Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing ( Fain / Webster ) : Another gem here. Ri

ngo's vocal here is flawless and the lively arrangement of this song is a joy to listen to.

Dream ( Mercer ) : As the title suggested, this was a dreamy song for you to waltzed to with a love one.

You Always Hurt The One You Love ( Roberts / Fisher ) : A slightly uptempo number that is quite pleasing to the ear.

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You ? ( Wiseman ) : Another lively rendition of this standard that have being recorded by so many artists that I can't really be sure who was the first. Anyway, Ringo's version will surely be a welcome addition to this song.

Let The Rest Of The World Go By ( Brennan / Ball ) :  A fine closer to an enjoyable album from the most unlikely Beatle.

DOP : 4th January 2010.

RINGO STARR

RINGO STARR : Aka Richard Starkey. It can't have been easy being Ringo Starr being in the shadows of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arguably the greatest composers of the 21st century and then there was George Harrison who was no push over either. All three were to become multi millionaire due to their composing talents leaving Ringo, who only have two self composed songs in the entire Beatles canon and another sharing credits with Lennon and McCartney. So was he, indeed, the luckiest man in the world or does he have his own talent. Initially, he was as popular as the other three. In press seasons he could easily hold his own against the others. In America, there was once a petition voting him to be their president albeit in jest."A Hard Day's Night," he was the Beatle who received the most accolades. Of the three. He was the most easy going and most approachable of all, and the only Beatle who have an on going relation with the other Beatles and also the only one who played on all of their records. Indeed, when the Beatles broke up, it was Ringo that they other three were most worried about. They each composed a song for him on his "Ringo" album and that resulted in the closest thing to a Beatles reunion during the early 70's. Initially, believe it or not, Ringo was the most popular of them all, prompting John to remarked to Ringo to write him a hit song. Over the years, although sales of his albums have stalked considerable, he became a popular live acts mingling with ageing rockers that have seen better days. Like his once colleague, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr is still touring today.

Yeah, like him or hate, he is the unexpendable part of the jigsaw puzzle that made up The Beatles.