Is Ringo the best ex-Beatles album?

Ringo Starr is having what that master of maloprops might call a hard day's week.

First off, he makes an off-the-cuff remark in a TV interview that offends his hometown (asked what he misses most about Liverpool, Ringo said "nothing") and then he causes a stir when he walks off the "Regis and Kelly" show because the program's producers want to trim three minutes or so from his latest single because they feel it's too long for TV.

As much fun as it looks in all the old film clips, I don't think it's easy being a Beatle, must less an ex one. There's so much scrutiny. So many expectations.

But let's cut Mr. Starkey some slack: I mean, he's Ringo friggin' Starr.

He played those great drum fills on "Rain" and "Tomorrow Never Knows." He even gave the latter song it's name. And his whimsical way with language also gave the Beatles' first film it's title and inspired John Lennon to write "Eight Days a Week."

And Ringo made the Beatles lovable--those sad eyes, that big nose, the genial sense of humor. If the Beatles were the Fantastic, not Fab, Four, he'd be Ben Grimm to John's brainy Reed Richards, Paul's flashy Human Torch and George's retiring but resourceful Invisible Girl (sorry George).

The Beatles wouldn't have been the Beatles without him.

Plus, he made one of the best solo albums out of any of the group. As a song-for-song collection, I'd place his 1974 Ringo album right after John's Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, and right in front of George's All Things Must Pass and Paul's McCartney and Ram.

Ringo is packed with great songs and performances. It's also the closest thing to an all-Beatles reunion as the band's former members ever recorded. John, George and Ringo all appear on "I'm the Greatest," which Lennon wrote. George appears on the album's big hit "Photograph," which he co-wrote with Ringo and on "Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)." Paul (and Linda) appear singing backups and playing kazoos on "You're Sixteen" and "Six O'Clock," the latter of which McCartney wrote.

And, aside from former Beatles, the album is swimming with other greats. Let's take a look-see at the liner notes and see who we have here. Oh just Harry Nilsson, Billy Preston, Marc Bolan, Martha Reeves, Merry Clayton, Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voorman and just about every member of The Band. Everyone gets name-dropped in the totally cool outro tune "You and Me (Babe)," which George Harrison co-penned with longtime Beatles roadie Mal Evans.

It's a must-have album and just a joy to hear. Plus, on CD it comes with probably the best-ever former Beatle single "It Don't Come Easy" and "Early 1970," Ringo's touching assessment of the Fabs' breakup.

I'm listening to the album right now, and it's very, very good.

2 comments:

  1. George Harrison co-wrote YOU AND ME (BABE) with Mal Evans not Ringo.
    It is still a wonderful album. I was 13 when it came out and have always loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Indeed you're right! I'll correct the post to reflect the proper songwriting credits.

    ReplyDelete