VERTICAL MAN

VERTICAL MAN :  It's incredible that Ringo just keeps on coming up with albums after albums that nobody is really interested in. At times it seems to even borders on the embarrassing. It pained me that someone from the once mighty Beatles can scummbled to this level. It seems that Ringo takes it upon himself that as a Beatle, he have to keep making albums but Paul McCartney he is not. I really hope he will go into retirement soon and not tarnish his reputation further with The Beatles. I wouldn't say his albums are straight out bad but they really are not memorable at all. I bought this without expecting much and rightly so 'cos this was really just another Ringo Starr albums. It's getting harder and harder to distinguish one albums from the other. Some of the songs may be good but memorable certainly is not the order of the day. You may like it while you are listening to it before when the song's over, you'll tend to forget about it.

One ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas ) :  Not a bad track but I've initially almost write this off. I was having this Cd on while I was sleeping at night. Listening to it while I am wide awake sounds much better.

What In The...World ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas ) : Another rocker that started out slow but graduated to a reasonably nice song with an affectious chorus. Paul McCartney was on hand with the bass while Joe Walsh was on the guitar.

Minefield ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas )  : This one does reminds me of Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start The Fire' and it's a nice one here with more famous friends..

King Of Broken Hearts ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas ) : A ballad with that Ringo's charm if you can call it charm. Still with George Harrison in the background playing his weeping guitar it can't be a total write off and it didn't.

Love Me Do ( Lennon / McCartney ) : I always get a kick when I hear any ex Beatles doing a new cover of a Beatles songs and this is quite a good version of their first hit. The harmonica is still here but overall a rockier version than The Beatles.

Vertical Man ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas ) : As the title track, there really wasn't anything exceptional to this track at all. Not really bad but as the title track, I've expected more. Hear and forget.

Drift Away ( Williams ) : Now this is a good cover. One of the highlights here. Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette shares vocal duties here. Ringo sounds most confidence here. I would press the repeat button for this.

I Was Walking ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal ) : A good track helped on by many famou8s friends. Among them Paul McCartney and Alanis Morissette.

La De La ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal; / Dudas ) : With this title, I was expecting a playful and bountiful song but this turned out to be quite a ballad. Still not a bad song. Sang in that famous laid back Ringo style, this could turned into a sing-a-longs at any campfire gatherings.

Without Understanding ( Starkey / Hudson / Dudas ) : The problem with most of the songs here are that most of them starts in almost the same way. You can't really tell one songs from the others. Listen as a stand along song, it's fine as was this. Seems Ringo is trying to do a Paul McCartney here playing drums, keyboard, plastic guitar solo whatever that is and percussion..

I'll Be Fine Anywhere ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas ) :  This sounds like a 50's type rock 'n' roll number and it sounds good. This was the track that woke me up slightly. Ringo's in teddy boy mode. He should be doing more of this.

Puppet ( Starkey / Hudson / Grakal / Dudas ) : Run of the mill Ringo's stuffs. Nothing more nothing less. Lot of drummings here.

I'm Yours ( Starkey / Hudson / Nevin ) : A slow touching lullaby to his wife, the lovely ex Bond girl, Barbara Bach that includes a heart felt spoken lyric.If not for its sincerity, this could puts you to sleep. String arrangement by the great George Martin, no less.

DOP : 25th April 2008.