Search - Ringo Starr :: Goodnight Vienna

More like the B-sides to "Ringo"

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 09/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The early seventies were pretty good for the former Beatles drummer. 1973 saw the release of "Ringo," a star-studded album featuring several hit singles and other tracks that turned out to be one of the biggest albums of the year.



1974's "Goodnight Vienna" pretty much takes up where the first album left off, albeit not quite as satisfying. Like the earlier release, it is a mix of pop and rock, delivered as only Ringo, of the limited vocal prowess, could produce. Ringo has fun with the songs and Richard Perry has assembled much of the same talent as the "Ringo"; however, many of the tracks come across as "leftovers."



The best track is the MOR cut "Easy for Me," featuring Starr singing with a beautifully arranged string and piano accompaniment. The title cut is represented by two versions, a full version and a shortened "reprise."



The highlight of the album, of course, is the cover, a take-off on the classic film "The Day the Earth Stood Still" with Starr standing in the background as "Klaatu" and Gort the Robot prominent in the foreground.



That's enough to make this album a must-buy."

RINGO: "Ringo! Give us a beat, Jimmy!"

Clay McBride | Los Angeles | 02/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

""I grew up with THE BEATLES." Those of you who did not, simply cannot--nor will you ever--understand all the magic, wonder and amazement that simple sentence implies. It was like hearing, watching, and feeling your heart come alive each time these four, magical musicians, took instruments in hand, and decided, "Okay, lads, let's make some music."



It was an oft' told tale that, during concert moments, when the audience frenzy had long since reached beyond "fever pitch," overwhelming their hopelessly inadequate amplifiers, John or Paul would howl quickly over their shoulders, "Ringo! Give us a beat, Jimmy" ("Jimmy" being a common Brit slang--sort of the equivalent of "Joe," "buddy," or "pal.") And somehow, miraculously--perhaps through sheer force of will--Mr. Richard S. would dig deep and hammer that beat home! Technology be damned! Crowds be damned! Endurance be damned! PHYSICS be damned! John's foot would begin to confidently tap, Paul's torso would bounce. And George? George would slyly smile for his old friend, Ringo the Rock, had once again brought the boys safely back into port.



Ringo: the glue, the anchor, the rock, the lighthouse beam.



Yet Ringo has often taken a back seat to his mates. And with a bemused smile, he has frequently let this impression or assessment of his talents and/or contributions stand unchallenged. Why not? If you were one of the four Titans who straddled the Earth, would you bother yourself with the mumbled stupidity of the occasional ant that crossed your path? Life is far too short, my friends.



It's a little known fact that, after The Beatles parted, Ringo went along quietly and consistently out-selling his brothers with his solo albums for any number number of years. That's right: Ringo.



GOODNIGHT VIENNA is but one outstanding example of what made Ringo so, so much more than just "the 4th Beatle." The entire album (oops! CD--or whatever the latest version of musical toy is in vogue these days) absolutely brims with the SPIRIT of Ringo himself. The humor, the warmth, and whimsical joy of simply making music with your friends. (And notice how frequently and enthusiastically, the other three Beatles--not to mention countless other extremely talented musicians--have been willing to join Ringo in the studio to lay down a track or two.



This is no accident. This is simple genius to genius respect.



In his heart, I don't believe that Ringo EVER loses sight of the pure, undeniable delight of simply being "one of the boys in the 'bar band' here to entertain you tonight, folks." The tracks of GOODNIGHT VIENNA run the spectrum from "whimsical wink," "nostalgic delight," and "wonders of the soul." I simply cannot tell you the number of happy summer days, or dark, lonely nights when Ringo and his music became the soundtrack of my life.



Among the supposed "music industry illuminati," Ringo Starr's life's-blood drumming, was often moronically dismissed for its "technical simplicity" (Ever try a "fill" on a teetering stand, with a 100 amp. Vox, in the face of 50,000 pairs of shrieking lungs? Talk about spitting into the wind.) And above all, technical limitations aside, in his heart of hearts, Ringo Starr is a BAND drummer! He's not a trick artist; not a spotlight junkie; not a glory hound. He knows his craft. He knows the craft of his band mates. Then he does what ALL truly brilliant BAND MATES do: he plays not for his glory, but for the GLORY OF THE BAND.



Does anyone out there truly have the "yarbles" to argue with the results? If so: go soak your head.



Or better yet, do yourselves a favor: buy this album/CD/download/psychic implant/whatever, and meet a master firsthand. While your at it, buy this one and RINGO, BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES, RINGO'S ROTOGRAVURE, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, TIME TAKES TIME, RINGORAMA, CHOOSE LOVE, LIVERPOOL 8, Y NOT, and any number of his live concert recordings, done with the ever-revolving cast of equally enthusiastic co-conspirators to be found in the "Round Heads" or "Ringo's All Starrs".



Even the cover of GOODNIGHT VIENNA has always brought an extra smile to my face. Who better for Ringo to cast himself as than the alien, Klaatu, (from THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL--the original amazing classic, not that god-awful remake foisted recently upon us); Klaatu, who came to Earth with his simple, soft-spoken--but profoundly urgent--message for all Mankind: "Start learning to love one another, or risk ultimately 'reducing your planet to a burned-out cinder.'" Ringo Starr has ALWAYS been about the Peace and the Love.



GOODNIGHT VIENNA: a far finer collection of music than this shabby review conveys. Buy it and--from time to time--let Ringo Starr make your life just a tad better.



If you ever chance to stumble across this bit of nonsense, Mr. Ringo Starr--for all the times in my life when I so desperately looked back over my shoulder and shouted, "Ringo! Give us a beat, Jimmy?!". . .



Thank you. Thank you. And thank you.





Clay McBride

Hollywood, CA, 2010"