RINGO STARR/BLAST FROM YOUR PAST SW 3422 (-75) US

Ringo became Americas Beatle darling in the early seventies. While the other former members struggled with personal, politic or religious issues he stayed the uncomplicated happy-go-lucky guy everyone loved. That also reflected in the record sales there with two #1 and further six top ten singles on Billboard. At the time this collection was released two of those A-sides and four further B-sides were still non-LP, so it would have helped many Ringo-lovers and completists if they'd included all of those here. But for some reason apart from the A:s - "Back Off Boogaloo" and "It Don't Come Easy" - they only choosed one B-side - "Early 1970". And as the total playing time finally released was just about thirty minutes there would have been lots of space for the three missing B:s if anyone responsible had been awake. But in spite of that it's still a lovely album. Simple, happy and catchy, well produced and arranged. The songs themselves may be tagged as trifles, but the all over friendly atmosphere nails it anyway. Maybe some of that also has to do with the audio on this US press. So big and warm you just wanna stay there. Even a track like "No No Song" I never really cared about before grabs me when treated like this. After listening through the album now I'm just one big smile and no worries. Issued all over the world on vinyl, 8-track, cassette and CD through the years. First UK on Apple (PCS 7170), South African on Parlophone (PCSJ(D) 7170). Tried to find a CD or vinyl reissue containing the three missing B:s as bonus tracks, but no luck so far. Premiere UK had label as shown here and glossy cover with picture/lyric inner. (ÄPLÄ*) (BÄ*) (YZÄ*) (RYNX*)

RINGO STARR/RINGO PCTC 252 (-73) UK

His third studio LP. At release sometimes recieved and even advertised as a Beatles reunion album. And that is how I wanted to hear it back then, loving the fact that all four participated. Not at the same time or tracks...but still. Most of it recorded in Los Angeles with McCartney's part made at Apple Studios in London - as he wasn't let in to US due to former drug charges. In fact the closest you come to The Beatles here is the track "I'm The Greatest", written by Lennon and perfomed by Ringo, John and George assisted by Billy Preston and Klaus Voorman. There's also George participating on three more cuts and Paul on two, but not the same ones. In total three tracks written or co-written by Harrison, one by Lennon and one by McCartney - only coinciding being "Photograph" (Harrison/Starkey). So "Beatles album" only from a very large perspective, still with enough other renowned names to keep up interest. Apart from the already mentioned - Marc Bolan, Harry Nilsson, Nicky Hopkins, Martha Reeves, Bobby Keyes, Merry Clayton and members from The Band. Produced by Richard Perry with additional arrangements by Tom Scott and Jack Nitzsche. It was a big success, charting high on lists all over the world and spawning three million-selling singles - "Photograph", "You're Sixteen" and "Oh My My". Though not challanging in any way, carrying simple melodies with unoffensive lyrics and sometimes less than beautiful vocals, it's so well performed and put together with such stunning audio it's still enjoyable listening and to me very much a feel-good album - warm and cozy. Premiere US on Apple (SWAL-3413). Frequently issued and reissued on vinyl, cassette, 8- track and CD all over the world through the years, with or without bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here and matt fold/out cover containing a stapled 24 page booklet with lyrics, credits and ten Klaus Voorman drawings. (BÄ*) (ÄPLÄ*) (RYNX*)

RINGO STARR/RINGO'S ROTOGRAVURE 2310473 (-76) SCANDINAVIA

 

  His fifth original solo album and the last with any involvement from the other Beatles before the 1981 "Stop And Smell The Roses"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/12/ringo-starrstop-and-smell-roses-nbi.html  . John Lennon wrote "Cookin" on which he also plays piano, Paul & Linda McCartney gave him "Pure Gold" and contributed backgrund vocals on that. George Harrison donated "I'll Still Love You" - a song he originally wrote for Shirley Bassy - but didn't participate in the recordings. Though there were lots of other famed names taking part - e.g. Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Dr. John, Jim Keltner, Klaus Voorman and Harry Nilsson. Produced by Arif Mardin, who also worked with acts like Queen, Aretha Franklin, Bee Gees and Rascals - to name a few. But despite all that skill involved it didn't sell accordingly, only reaching #28 in US and didn't even chart in UK. So how does it stand today? I refuse to compare him with other artists cause Ringo is like a genre of his own. And in comparison to the other of his albums I've heard this is to my taste top five, only surpassed by his four former releases. "A Dose Of Rock'n'Roll" is a very well produced smooth radio friendly rocker, which as 45 also managed #26 on Billboard, and "Cookin" a cosy reggae-ish number with sweet background quires which also is my favorite here. To my ears non of the other tracks stick out very much, but it's all very well done with top audio, so if you feel positive with his vocals it's nice listening all through. Issued and reissued on vinyl and/or CD all over the world through the years, also cassette and 8-track. Premiere US on Atlantic (SD 18193), UK on Polydor (2302-40). US CD on Atlantic (7 82417-2). First Scandinavian had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover with picture/lyric/credit inner. (BÄ*)  (CCÖ*)  (RYNX*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                             




 

THE LONDON HOWLIN' WOLF SESSIONS COC 49101 (-71) GERMANY

This may not belong to the "lost gem" or "sadly forgotten" compartments, but worth a lot more attention than it's getting nowadays. There are many reasons for love. First and foremost it's a very good blues album, well played with top guitars and a number of catchy moments. But even more important, at least to me, it's performed by a supergroup with an exceptional setting together for this occation only. Recorded in a five day session May 1970 at Olympic Sound in London with futher overdubs made at Chess studios in Chicago. Apart from Wolf himself and his band guitarist Hubert Sumlin you also hear Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood doing it to the then Rolling Stones rhythm section - Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Ian Stewart - and on this version of "I Ain't Superstitious" Klaus Voorman provides bass and Ringo Starr (here credited as "Richie") plays the drums. Either you're into American black blues, Eric Clapton, or anything connected to Rolling Stones or Beatles, it should be worth while. Myself I have an almost childish delight for odd collaborations, so "I Aint Suprestitious" here would be enough for keeps - Wolf backed by Sumlin and Clapton on guitars, supported by Ringo and Voorman on drums and bass plus Bill Wyman on cowbell. And getting lots of Clapton playing with parts of Rolling Stones is just dandy by itself. As a Stones fan I also fancy to have it on their own label . Maybe die-hard collectors would prefer a UK or US 1st, but this German comes with such great audio - wide and natural - I don't need to look further. Initially issued and re-issued pretty much all over the world on vinyl and cassette - either on Chess or Rolling Stones Records. US 2002 2xCD on MCA/Chess (088 112 985-2) came with the entire original album, three newly remixed versions and twelve alternate takes and/or mixes. First German had label as shown here and laminated fold/out cover. (GÖXÄ*) (RÅ*) (RYNX*) (CÄRÄ*)

RINGO STARR/SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY BTL 1012 BRAZIL MONO VS. PCS 7101 UK STEREO

After mono issues were dropped by Apple in UK 1969 some South American countries kept on releasing them up to 1972 - the last one being the Brazil "Wings Wild Life" (BTL 1018). While most of them were folds at least one had totally different mixes - Brazil "Hey Jude" (BTL 1009) https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/01/beatleshey-jude-btl-1009-70-mono-brazil.html . Others used the same cuts as the stereos but differ so much they can be regarded as separate versions. This is one of those. Comparison made between the mono and a UK first press - mimicking a fold down by pushing the mono button. The reason I'm choosing the UK stereo as a reference is Brazil Apple used same stamped matrix no. system as UK - in this case mono matrix "XEX-771/XEX-772". You don't have to listen many seconds to hear that it isn't a straight reduction, but has been tweaked in some way. The UK press is not 100% compatible - it comes through as rather flat and borderline muddy at parts, lacking separation and spunk. This is something else. From the title track bass intro till the last strings of "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" it's a lot more dynamic, with perfect balance, differing from both the stereo or a fold down. You get every single part - vocals, base, strings, drums - with awesome separation, loud and clear. All cuts seems to have the same timing as UK and apart from improved audio, balance and and more prominent base all through I can hear no signs of a separate mix. Still the audio makes it an alternate version and I don't have a clue how or where it was made. Maybe due to lack of compability a slightly altered version was made for the UK reel-to-reel mono (TA-PMC 7101) and then sent along, or the Brazilians had the tools to make it themselves. I don't know. What I do know is it debunks the stereo or any attempt to fold down. The power and clarity provides a much better listening experience. First Brazil press with label as shown here and wrapping as plastic covered sheets with a glossy black inner. Premiere UK had dark Apple label and fully laminated cover with narrow spine and white "Patents no." inner. (BÄ*)(SÖMI*) (CPYC*) (ÄPLÄ*) (RYNX*)(MÅW*)

RINGO STARR/STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES NBI-33246 (-81) US

 His eighth solo album, here with a backing crew second to few - George Harrison, Paul and Linda McCartney, Ron Wood, Harry Nilsson, Stephen Stills, Al Kooper, Jim Keltner and many more pitched in to help him out. John Lennon was also due to participate and had offered him the songs "Nobody Told Me" and "Life Begins At 40", but after he was killed Ringo decided not to use those. So it's almost like a Beatles reunion, reinforced by some of the other great names back then. But it didn't sell, so what went wrong? To my taste it's not that bad. The McCartney contributions "Private Property" and "Attention" maybe not his strongest compositions, but the Harrison "Wrack My Brain" and the Nilsson ones "Drumming Is My Madness" and "Stop And Take Time To Smell The Roses" works well. And my favorite - the Nilsson produced re-recording of "Back Off Boogaloo" - is surprisingly good, even if I prefer the original. As a whole maybe not his finest moment, but still worth having just because of the crew and the history behind. Issued and reissued pretty much all over the world on vinyl and CD, also cassette and 8-track. First UK on RCA (RCALP 6022). US limited ed. 2023 "Record Store Day" CD (Culture Factory (CFU 01236) came with six bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with lyric/credit inner.  (YZÄ*)  (BÄ*)  (RYNX*)

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                                                                                

                                                                              

 

RINGO STARR/GOODNIGHT VIENNA PCS 7168 (-74) UK

His fourth and today by many regarded least appealing Apple album - seen it described as bleak, uneven and less magic than its predecessor "Ringo". May be true from some angle, yet it's sure hitting me with enough good vibrations. Always loved odd or unexpected artist combinations and there's a lot of that here. Apart from more awaited studio support from Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann and Nicky Hopkins I also get a star cast consisting of John Lennon, Elton John, Dr. John, Harry Nilsson, Robbie Robertson (The Band) and Gary Wright (Spooky Tooth). Background vocals provided by The Backberries trio (who among other things sang on Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" and Stones "Exile On Main Street"). Top crew all the way. Performance, production, arrangements and audio are all great. And the music...very much as expected - pop, rock and country presented very kindly almost inoffensive, still with catchy moments. My favorites are the ones released as singles at the time - "Only You" (US #6), "No No Song" (US #3 Canada #1), Snookeroo" (UK only, not charting), "Goodnight Vienna" (US only, top thirty) - plus the Dr. John contribution "Occapella" because of its odd vocals. As a whole more caress than knock-out, but also love if that is what you need. Premiere US on Apple (SW-3417). Frequently issued and reissued on vinyl, 8-track, cassette and CD through the years. First UK had label as shown here, thin matt cover and picture/lyric/credit inner. (BÄ*) (ÄPLÄ*) (RYNX*)

RINGO STARR/BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES PAS 10002 (-70) UK

Ringo had been a country fan since early Beatles years and after meeting Nashville producer Peter Drake during the making of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" they agreed to work together on his next LP. The recordings took place in Nashville where Drake had put together a country & western dream team for the event, many with Elvis connection - apart from PD himself on steel guitar the crew included drummer D.J. Fontana, The Jordanaires, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Reed and Jerry Kennedy with addition of Scotty Moore handling the engineering. Among other prominent names were Charlie Daniels (Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen), Roy Huskey Jr. (Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins) and multi-instrumentalist Ben Keith. All twelve songs written directly for the issue. The recordings were "Nashville style" - hard work around the clock, far from the laid-back Beatles sessions Ringo was used to and the album was completed in less than three days. Never been a big country fan myself but when it's this good I just enjoy. Written and played by some of the best in the business and Ringo's vocals nailing country style, where personality and emotion always go before beauty. The mix, balance and audio are perfect bringing lots of presence. Tophole listening all through. Favorite track - the duet with Jeannie Kendall in "I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way". Appreciated by some critics at the time, but failed big sales - only reaching #65 on Billboard and not charting at all in UK. First US on Apple (SMAS-3368). Issued as mono in Brazil and Argentina. Had them both and can guarantee very well sounding folds. Premiere UK had label as shown here and fully laminated fold/out cover. (BÄ*) (ÄPLÄ*) (RYNX*)