Ringo is not known for being the biggest musical prodigy in The Beatles (beyond being a very musical and tasteful drummer, which I will debate with anyone), but he has nonetheless produced some good songs – and even albums – over the years.
The Ringo album from 1973 (where all former Beatles members contributed) is widely considered one of his very best efforts, and single hits like It Don’t Come Easy (written by George Harrison and released in 1970) was always a cracking good tune.
One of the most loved Ringo-sung Beatle songs is With A Little Help From My Friends, and that seems to have become a bit of a personal mantra for him. Ringo have a lot of talented musician friends who will contribute material and/or performances for him. They are even happy to take a break from their own careers to join him on the road for his “All-Starr Band” tours.
Ringo must be a great band leader and friend, to have so many respected musicians be happy to put aside their own projects and come working for Ringo for long periods at a time. Camp Ringo looks like a very fun and comfortable place to be.
Plus – and kudos for this – he keeps packing the houses. Ringo remains a public favourite. He puts time and effort into his shows, and people love coming out to see him.
Having been on a Liverpool pilgrimage earlier in the year spurred me to check out more Beatle solo recordings, including a slew of Ringo ones. As it happened, he had a brand now album out called What’s My Name. Verdict? I find it to be a lot of fun. It is a very enjoyable album. Is it “good”? Heck if I know – it is just plain enjoyable.
And that’s where we have Ringo, more or less. The album sounds really good, is well produced (by Ringo!), has excellent performances, and good writing overall. It’s just a really fun, good album. No classics, perhaps, but honestly no duds on it either.
Ringo has been involved in the writing of most of the songs, and with songwriting and performing partners like Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Steve Lukather, and Edgar Winter – not to mention a good and emotional cover version of Grow Old With Me by John Lennon – you can have faith that the material is overall of solid quality. The performances are really excellent as well, as is to be expected with that team of hardened veterans.
Ringo has always been a huge personality. He is no starr (pardon the pun) vocalist, but he has that Ringo charm that just totally sells the songs. The songs are obviously made with this in mind. Ringo is the product, as it would have to be, and as long as the material is written to suit his vocal delivery the performances will shine.
I’m not sure I have a favourite song, per se, but have to admit that Gotta Get Up To Get Down, where Ringo gets his groovy pants on, has been a huge earworm several times this year.
Technically speaking his vocals are at best adequate, but add the Ringo charm, humour, and even some personal and touching subject matter, and the material comes alive in a manner that transcends his potential.
The fact that this is a very personal album with many memories and anecdotes makes the album more relevant. You feel you know Ringo a little better after having listened.
Ringo’s albums may not be destined to be regarded as classics when all is said and done, but at least in this one he has produced something that may manage to make people feel a little better on sad days. This album can pick you up if you feel a little down. That, my friends, is a gift. Bless you, Ringo.
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