Richard Starkey has always had a flair for country music. Even when he was with The Beatles, he’d probably have swapped his mop top for a Stetson. There were hints along the way when he sang lead vocal on the Fab Four's version of Buck Owens' 'Act Naturally'. Once they had split up, he was off to Nashville to record his country-roots album 'Beaucoup of Blues'. Even since that record was released in 1970, he's dipped his toe into the genre by working with Carl Perkins and Rodney Crowell.
In the last few years, Ringo has stuck to releasing EP's - at the age of 84 who can blame him for keeping his workload down? When he asked celebrated producer T-Bone Burnett to write him a song. Not only did T-Bone turn up with a country song, he turned up with nine. It was then Ringo realised he had to make another full-length country album.
The album overflows with sentimental songs, buoyed by bright tones and his shuffling drums There are dobro's and fingerpicking guitar riffs aplenty. For the most part, Starr stays in the traditional, classical 1950s country of Frankie Lane, Kitty Lester et al. Although his scouse twang isn't the Texas drawl you'd imagine hearing on these tunes, Starr's passion for the music overrides this making the album authentic. It's a genre where he clearly feels comfortable.
'Time on My Hands' is a simple, ballad with a vocal that matches the rueful peddle steel. 'I Live For Your Love' is an uncomplicated and charming track, with a warbling vocal from Starr that's echoed by Molly Tuttle's harmonies. It's certainly these crooning tracks that seem to suit his vocal style the best.
'Never Let Me Go' featuring young Bluegrass supremo, Billy Strings, is 'Love Me Do' meets 'Folsom Prison'. A collaboration with Billy Paul shifts things into a more honky-tonk direction while the skuzzy guitar and The Beatles harmony from Larkin Poe on 'Rosetta' gives the album a modern flair.
It would’ve been fun to shake things up with some bluegrass hoedowns, or some fast and furious Albert Lee-style guitar runs, but that's not Ringo's style. Neither is the choice of featured musicians. It would have been easy to sweep in a load of different stars, but this album is too grounded to be overwhelmed with too many egos.
'Thankful' with Alison Krauss is another reverie where Ringo is "hoping for more peace and love". It's his only writing credit, but it's an honest and sincere way to sign off the album.
Who knows if Ringo will release another full-length record or go back to releasing EP's but with a little help from his country music friends, he just might.
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