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    Review: Ex-Beatle longs for Liverpool on new album

    "Ringo 2012," Ringo Starr. (Hip-O/Ume)

    One look in the mirror was all it took for ex-Beatle Ringo Starr to find the best producer for his 17th solo record, "Ringo 2012," Starr claims. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving and Starr might have done better shopping around someone to make this release more interesting.

    As it stands, "Ringo 2012" is equal parts reflection and rehash. The subject matter, mostly composed by others, is mostly fond memories of days gone by for Starr, with a bit a make-love-not-war ethos sprinkled in for good measure. When presented with Starr's dry vocal approach, most tracks lack the required luster to make this album stand out.

    "Ringo 2012" is blues, rock and a touch of honky-tonk. The melodies aren't bad. They're just too well-traveled. From the first track "Anthem" to the final salute in "Slow Down," there's not much here to show us that Starr has challenged himself beyond a formulaic delivery. "Wings" is a nice song, but he's already recorded it years ago on his sixth album.

    There are some moments when the fit is fine, as on "Rock Island Line." This bluesy standard made its way to Starr by way of Lead Belly and so-called skiffle bands in Liverpool, England, where Starr paid his early dues in the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group. The song gets a nice boost from blues guitar standout Kenny Wayne Shepard, who sizzles throughout.

    CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: On "In Liverpool," Starr gives us a glimpse of his life in the town of his youth, walking to the Iron Door club to play with Rory Storm. You can feel his voice warm as he reminisces about his pre-Beatles days. Truth be told, there's very little on this album to reference his breathless, chart-topping Fab Four time. Seems like Starr appreciates an earlier time in his career a little more, and it seems earnest here.

    ___

    Ron Harris can be reached at http://twitter.com/Journorati

     

    60 comments

    • Eric  •  4 mths ago
      Yeah (yeah, yeah) - I'll buy it just because it's Ringo.
      Even if he recorded his flatulence, it would be superior to most of the cr@p made by today's artists.
      • Muse 4 mths ago
        lol--right on!
      • an I 4 an I 4 mths ago
        You got that right. Music now days, thumbs DOWN!
    • Martin  •  4 mths ago
      Beatles4ever!
    • M.Short  •  Seattle, Washington  •  4 mths ago
      The least successful Beatle is still a Beatle. For as long as you love doing it, do it.

      Give us back George and John and we'll give you Bieber and Gaga.
      • Jeff 4 mths ago
        Looks as if Bieber and Gaga gave you thumbs down, sir.
    • Chris  •  Irvine, California  •  4 mths ago
      Ringo and Paul (along with John and George, may they rest in peace) get all time life long props. You could roll Ringo into the room at 120 in a wheel chair and he should still get mad props.

      You put out the work they did you're good for life. Try and create something that tops "Revolver" -it'll never be done.
      • lawrence 4 mths ago
        that's my point you can't after the beatles he has done nothing in the last 25 years at a minimum,do you have any other of his cd's?? will you actually go out and buy this one??
      • Chris 4 mths ago
        Well, I can agree to some extent. I actually don't have any of their CD's. But they all did their best work together...yeah they had a few great hits afterward, but their combination created something greater than their (already incredible) sum. I mean, who's going to buy McCartney's latest stuff either? Although he (Ringo) was arguably the least 'contributory' of them all in material and other quantifiable inputs, he was an integral part of a specific group. The Stones have had like a dozen lineups -the Beatles were one. I'm convinced The Beatles would not have had the same success had Pete Best been their drummer. Ringo was the drummer who could also be a Beatle.
      • get this 4 mths ago
        the Beatles were greater than the sum total of their parts.
    • T C  •  4 mths ago
      "mostly composed by others" - What a dig. Elvis and other artists did not write many of their hit songs. Wanna slap down Dianna Ross for singing songs mostly composed by others?
      • David 4 mths ago
        I agree and the writer is not very bright. Liverpool is a city, not a town.
    • Lance  •  4 mths ago
      There is no such thing as an EX-BEATLE...get a clue!!!
      • lawrence 4 mths ago
        your kidding right?? name one of his other cd's and do you own any of them either??
      • Steve 4 mths ago
        pete best x beatle
    • Topsy  •  4 mths ago
      I loved the early Beatles.
    • Kenmandu  •  4 mths ago
      The chemistry of four distinct personalities and talents made the Beatles unique. Ringo made his own mark with them and will always be a Beatle.
    • dave  •  Abingdon, Virginia  •  4 mths ago
      ringo was & still is fab.. all the losers on yahoo are not & never will be.. rock on ringo
    • LVNative57  •  4 mths ago
      Watched their first performance live on the Ed Sullivan Show and still a huge fan to this day however, I think you can better measure their success based on all the adoring fans that have come afterwards... heck, even my 17 year old Step Daughter is a huge fan! Beatles4ever!
    • Manny  •  4 mths ago
      Ringo will always be a Beatle... no Ex here. I agree with some of the comments... let's trade the Rap and Hip Hop crap so called "artists" and we'll take back John and George... with all four there is no comparison of greatness... they are the standard!! Always FAB.
    • an I 4 an I  •  Clarksburg, West Virginia  •  4 mths ago
      Good old Ringo. The Beatles are "THE GREATEST" band of all time!!!!!!!!!!
    • Max K.  •  4 mths ago
      Ringo's worst are still better than todays so-called stars in pop,rock and (c)rap.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  Elmhurst, Illinois  •  4 mths ago
      Ringo has always been the swingingest drummer of the most important years rock and roll has ever seen,or will ever see.He was a Beatle.His recitation of the morning traffic would be paid for by somebody.And who gives a crap.Ringo has always been a superb human being.I will listen to his records.And I will always love and respect Ringo.God Bless The Beatles.They made people happy'
    • pete  •  4 mths ago
      Who says you can't go back?
    • Unbiased American  •  4 mths ago
      Ringo was always my favorite drummer and seems like a great all-around person. Good luck with your new record, Ringo!
    • Snarkbark  •  4 mths ago
      Good for him....at least he has the vitality left to make an album.
    • Elio L  •  Tampa, Florida  •  4 mths ago
      Rings always said he wasn't a writer. And yes there are many, many great interpretive artists in the history of rock. As to the writer's last sentence. Ringo is on record saying that the 50's and 60's were his favorite time and with the exception of a few 70's works he doesn't bother with anything after that time. Lastly, you can't compare or expect him to match the work in the fabs. That was four guys contributing. Even the others as solo artists failed to match that one magic time. Best of luck Rings!
    • Rand March  •  Jersey City, New Jersey  •  4 mths ago
      One of the best things about Ringo is that he's never forgotten that deep down - he's still Ritchie Starkey from Liverpool
    • buick6  •  Fairfield, California  •  4 mths ago
      hey ringo is still doing it! not to many can say they have done what he has on a musical level, let the boy play!
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