Notes & Personnel Info |  | Initial copies include a limited edition bonus DVD featuring interviews and performance footage. | | Personnel includes: Ringo Starr (vocals, acoustic, electric & slide guitars, drums, percussion); Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson (vocals); Gary Burr (acoustic guitar, bass, background vocals); Mark Hudson (electric guitar, Wurlitzer organ, mellotron, keyboards, bass, background vocals); Steve Dudas, Paul Santo (electric guitar, guitar); David Gilmour, Eric Clapton (guitar); Herb Pederson (banjo); Grant Geissmann (dobro); Micky Raphael (bass harmonica); Van Dyke Park (accordion); Dan Higgins (clarinet, saxophone); Gary S. Grant (trumpet); Jim Cox (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Charlie Haden, The Roundheads; Sarah Hudson, Nicole Renee Harris, Christina Rumbley, Mark O'Shea, John O'Shea (background vocals). | | Recorded at Whatinthewhatthe? Studio and Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California; Rocca Bella Studio, England. | | Includes bonus DVD. | | Personnel includes: Ringo Starr (vocals, acoustic, electric & slide guitars, drums, percussion); Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson (vocals); Gary Burr (acoustic guitar, bass, background vocals); Mark Hudson (electric guitar, Wurlitzer organ, mellotron, keyboards, bass, background vocals); Steve Dudas, Paul Santo (electric guitar, guitar); David Gilmour, Eric Clapton (guitar); Herb Pederson (banjo); Grant Geissmann (dobro); Micky Raphael (bass harmonica); Van Dyke Park (accordion); Dan Higgins (clarinet, saxophone); Gary S. Grant (trumpet); Jim Cox (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Charlie Haden, The Roundheads; Sarah Hudson, Nicole Renee Harris, Christina Rumbley, Mark O'Shea, John O'Shea (background vocals). | | Recorded at Whatinthewhatthe? Studio and Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California; Rocca Bella Studio, England. | | This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. | | Personnel: Ringo Starr (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, keyboards, drums, percussion, background vocals); Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson (vocals); David Gilmour, Eric Clapton (guitar); Mark Hudson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, keyboards, background vocals); Gary Burr (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Cliff Downs, Dean Grakal (acoustic guitar); Paul Santo, Steve Dudas (electric guitar); Gary Nicholson (12-string guitar); Grant Geissman (dobro); Herb Pedersen (banjo); Dan Higgins (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Van Dyke Parks (accordion); Gary Grant (trumpet, piccolo trumpet); Mercy Growl, Roy Orbison (trumpet); Jim Cox (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Charlie Haden (upright bass); Mark O'Shea, Christina Rumbley, Ada Ray, Nicole Renee Harris, John O'Shea, Timothy L. Schmidt, Jack Blades, Victoria Shaw, Sarah Hudson (background vocals). | | Audio Mixer: Dave Way. | | Recording information: Rocca Bella Studio, England; Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA; Whatinthewhatthe? Studio, Los Angeles, CA. | | Editors: Brent Carpenter; John Franck. | | Photographers: Dean Grakal; Mark Hudson; Ringo Starr; Barbara Starkey. | | It's hard to judge Ringorama, Ringo Starr's 12th proper studio album, by most standard critical criteria. Even comparing the record to his previous solo work doesn't quite work, since so many of his albums are so driven by his persona -- a combination of his actual personality and what his team of collaborators (always including a bevy of guest stars, of course) perceive his persona to be. Apart from 1973's towering Ringo, and its good follow-up, Goodnight Vienna, Starr was never consistent, partially because of his decadence in the '70s, but also because he never relaxed -- he was always shooting for the charts and shifting his collaborators seemingly haphazardly. It wasn't until the '90s, after he settled into his regular All-Starr summer tours -- and after he had made a well-received comeback with 1992's Time Takes Time -- that he relaxed with a regular band and set of collaborators, led by producer Mark Hudson; all return for 2003's Ringorama. Prior to the record's release, Hudson stated that he wanted the record to have a harder edge than its predecessor, Vertical Man, which it often does, at least in that it has very bright, rock-oriented productions, and is given a hard surface sheen via Pro Tools. Not exactly the intended edge; but it does mean that it's brassier than recent Ringo efforts, which isn't necessarily a plus. What is a plus is that it's likeable, particularly because everybody concerned -- from Ringo's regular band to such guests as Eric Clapton; David Gilmour; Timothy B. Schmit; and Willie Nelson -- seems to be having a good time. In another set of hands, such songs as "I Think Therefore I Rock N Roll" would be too silly, but here it's easy to accept; as are his frequent dips into self-references, since it's just Ringo being Ringo. Which brings us back to the point that his albums are sold as much by who Ringo Starr is, as they are by what his mood is. Though there is more care and consideration on Ringorama than on Ringo the 4th, the linch pin in the whole affair is his persona, and whether he has a comfortable, suitable platform or not; and, even if he does, it's likely not to play outside of those that really, really love Ringo. Fortunately, he's relaxed enough now not to care about the wider audience, so he's now making records that are fun and relaxed, even if the production doesn't quite work or if the songs are a little silly. So, Ringorama winds up as a good, enjoyable Ringo Starr album -- not as warm or rich as Time Takes Time; and a little more uneven than Vertical Man, but still good; which means this is first string of three good records in a row since the early '70s. And that does count for something. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine | | Then there were two. With George Harrison's passing in November 2001, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney were the only surviving members of the Beatles. Thankfully, Starr chose to press on in a creative manner rather than exiling himself in grief. The result is RINGO RAMA, the second album the Fab Four drummer has worked on with uber-producer Mark Hudson following 1998's VERTICAL MAN. From the outset, Starr weaves the past with the future, making allusions to "It Don't Come Easy" on "Eye to Eye" and bringing in longtime pal Eric Clapton to solo on the poignant Harrison tribute "Never Without You." | | Certain Richard Starkey trademarks bubble up throughout, including his famous sense of humor (the double entendre-laden travelogue "Missouri Loves Company") and his love of country music (a twangy "Write One For Me" featuring Willie Nelson). Ringo's rock royalty status ensures plenty of celebrity guests on RINGO RAMA; Pink Floyd's David Gilmour plays guitar on the aforementioned "Missouri" and raucous "I Think Therefore I Rock & Roll," legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden appears on the heartfelt "Imagine Me There," and Shawn Colvin pops up on the catchy "Trippin' On My Own Tears." | | Then there were two. With George Harrison's passing in November 2001, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney were the only surviving members of the Beatles. Thankfully, Starr chose to press on in a creative manner rather than exiling himself in grief. The result is RINGO RAMA, the second album the Fab Four drummer has worked on with uber-producer Mark Hudson following 1998's VERTICAL MAN. From the outset, Starr weaves the past with the future, making allusions to "It Don't Come Easy" on "Eye to Eye" and bringing in longtime pal Eric Clapton to solo on the poignant Harrison tribute "Never Without You." | | Certain Richard Starkey trademarks bubble up throughout, including his famous sense of humor (the double entendre-laden travelogue "Missouri Loves Company") and his love of country music (a twangy "Write One For Me" featuring Willie Nelson). Ringo's rock royalty status ensures plenty of celebrity guests on RINGO RAMA; Pink Floyd's David Gilmour plays guitar on the aforementioned "Missouri" and raucous "I Think Therefore I Rock & Roll," legen |
Producer: Mark Hudson; Ringo Starr |
Engineer: Tim LeBlanc; Paul Santo; Steve Dudas; Bruce Sugar |
Musical Guests | | Eric Clapton | | Willie Nelson | | David Gilmour | | Van Dyke Parks | | Charlie Haden | | Shawn Colvin | | David Gilmore |
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