Search - Ringo Starr :: Beaucoups of Blues

When you're hot, you're hot

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 07/08/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ringo's second album was a country album. Unlike every other country album recorded by a rock star, this album doesn't feature any cover versions of classic country songs. Instead, a batch of original songs were written for Ringo by some top country songwriters. Ringo traveled to Nashville and recorded the album with top Nashville session musicians. The album ended up sounding pretty much like a typical country album from 1970. Except sung by Ringo Starr. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's a decent enough album, if you are into this sort of thing. The CD features two bonus tracks. "Coochy Coochy" was the b-side of "Beaucoups of Blues". I guess it was left off the album because it's not really a country song. "Nashville Jam" is a jam session, obviously. This album isn't for everybody, but if you are a Beatles fan that also enjoys country music, you will probably like it."

My favorite Ringo

Moondog | Maryland | 09/29/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Ringo album. I've always liked his country tinged Beatle songs such as Don't Pass Me By, Act Naturally, and What Goes On. His mellow voice and heart on his sleeve demeanor are well suited for sad country songs of heart-breaking women, and this album is well done with good songs and lyrics, and musicianship. In my opinion this album is a nice addition to the Beatle catalog and makes for a nice set with other Beatle efforts from 1970: McCartney, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, and All Things Must Pass."

Ringo's 2nd solo outing.

J. A Lizon | Bristol, CT United States | 03/06/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ringo's second attempt at a solo outing isn't nearly as bad as his first simply because it's a field near and dear to his heart: Country music. And, by nature, country songs needn't require too much demands on its singer.

The problem with this project is that it's a fish out of water no matter which way you look at it. The rock fans who witnessed the breakup of The Beatles expected something of the same from Ringo, so there's no way they would accept a country disc, no matter how good it is, from our hero. The country fans meanwhile, wouldn't accept it as a "true" country record since it was done by a pop star as a one-off project. Therefore, time had to be the true judge for a project such as this. Ultimately the verdict comes down on the postive side for "Beaucoups of Blues." Ringo effortly handles such country songs as "I'd Be Talking All Time" with fun and ease. His voice really cradles "Waiting" and his somber reading of "Silent Homecoming" make it one of the strongest anti-war songs of it's time. Also the production is top notch with much kudos going to Pete Drake who produced this disc (he also handled all steel guitar chores as well). The vocal group, The Four Jordanires, who backed Elvis show up to do the same for Ringo. The legendary drummer, DJ Fontana who also worked with Elvis takes turns on the stool with Ringo. Jerry Reed and Charlie Daniels also appear as session players. There are things that don't work however, and one is Ringo's duet with Jeanne Kendall on a song called "I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way." The voices just don't blend. Also, the paint by numbers approach with the songs hurts the disc. As the songs were specifically written for Ringo by a crop of Nashville writers, they seem to have said, "Okay, now we gotta have a broken heart song. Now we gotta have a hooker with a heart of gold song. Etc, etc, etc"

If you're expecting a good solid country disc, you won't be dissappointed. If you're expecting pop music......

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