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Post by acebackwords on May 2, 2013 13:10:38 GMT -5
It seems unfair to leave Ringo out of this. Even though, considering how many clunker albums he's made, this could degenerate into an exercise in cruelty. I admit the only Ringo album I'm really familiar with is the universally beloved RINGO album (which, of course, I beloved). I guess what I'm really wondering is if any of you guys feel Ringo's made any other albums that come close to the quality of RINGO.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 2, 2013 14:26:02 GMT -5
1. Ringo The 4th 2. Rotagraveure(Sp?) 3. Choose Love 4. Stop And Smell The Roses 5. Bad Boy
Honorable Mentions: Ringo's last two.
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Post by acebackwords on May 2, 2013 14:39:59 GMT -5
According to youtube:
"Ringo the 4th was a dismal failure upon its release, both critically and commercially. Never touching the UK charts the album limped up to #162 in the US before expiring. Shortly thereafter Atlantic Records dropped Starr from their roster."
Ocuh.
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Post by ursamajor on May 2, 2013 18:18:24 GMT -5
I was waiting for someone to start this, good job .. ok this one is easy for me , I actually love Ringo's 70s and 80s albums, they are not up to par on some levels but I have no problem listening to them, things started going down hill for my enjoyment of Ringo after the Time Takes Time album, as I am typing I am struggling to remember some of these albums .. ok it just came to me so in no particular order these are the Ringo Worst 5 ..
1. Choose Love - love the album cover and three songs .. 2. Y Not - How about Y did you release this Ringo ? 3. Liverpool 8 - Nice title song and that's it .. 4. Vertical Man - the production is grating but love the Love Me Do remake .. 5. Ringo 2012 - this one is number 5 only because Ringo was smart enough to cover a Ringo IV song ..
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Post by debjorgo on May 2, 2013 18:53:35 GMT -5
I love the new Ringo albums, Time Takes Time on.
1. Ringo the 4th - Best song - Wings (I din't think much of it until the remake, now I like both versions a lot) 2. Sentimental Journey - Best song Stardust 3. Ringo's Rotogravure - This be called a song? No wait, that's the best song, This Be Called a Song. 4. Beaucoups of Blues - $15 Draw, and didn't the Beatles do Fastest Growing Heartache? (Bonus track - Coochy Coochy) 5. Stop and Smell the Roses -I like Private Property and Dead Giveaway is serious earworm.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 3, 2013 15:14:46 GMT -5
5. Ringo The 4th 4. Beaucoups Of Blues 3. Choose Love 2. Ringo Rama 1. Old Wave
I think OLD WAVE is Ringo's crappiest album, though I think "She's About A Mover" is a great cover version from it.
I really have to wonder if fans (myself included) are really giving Ringo's records enough of a fair shake. I seriously doubt that people have seriously listened to all his albums completely or often enough to form a fair opinion. As I said, I include myself -- I have never played all of BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES. I love the title song and "Coochy Coochy" (which is officially a B Side, isn't it?).
I really cannot stomach the albums that came after the excellent TIME TAKES TIME and before the back-to-good-form Y NOT. I've tried playing albums like CHOOSE LOVE and RINGO RAMA a few times, but I dislike most songs from them.
In my view, BAD BOY is underrated. STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES is a fine "Ringo Record". Y NOT and RINGO 2012 are a return to form, and are overall good Ringo Records.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 3, 2013 15:16:57 GMT -5
It seems unfair to leave Ringo out of this. Even though, considering how many clunker albums he's made, this could degenerate into an exercise in cruelty. I admit the only Ringo album I'm really familiar with is the universally beloved RINGO album (which, of course, I beloved). I guess what I'm really wondering is if any of you guys feel Ringo's made any other albums that come close to the quality of RINGO. Yes, one album which I believe some of us have repeated 100 times --- TIME TAKES TIME (1992). Actually, RINGO is in a class by itself. It was catching lightning in a bottle, and even TIME TAKES TIME is not 'really' in the same league -- but it's second best, IMO.
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Joseph McCabe
Very Clean
A rebel to his last breath ...
Posts: 912
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Post by Joseph McCabe on May 3, 2013 15:18:51 GMT -5
Ringo has put out so many clunkers, that a "five least" is pretty tough. How do you choose between Liverpool 8 and Y Not?
But there are some Ringo albums that, in Fab-world, are regarded as pretty poor. Let me say something in support of them.
Old Wave: Pretty well universally condemned, but here's a tip - don't look for individual good songs on it (there aren't any), rather just play the whole album from start to finish. It has a good vibe, and there's some tasty playing to enjoy as well.
Stop & Smell The Roses: Sometimes criticized as the worst album of 1981, but it's not, of course. Excellent stuff abounds (Dead Giveaway, Wrack My Brain for a start). Yes, it sags in a couple of places. But Macca's two tunes are streets ahead of Six O'Clock from "Ringo", so there must be something good happening there.
Beaucoups of Blues: I find this to be a quite entertaining album. Yes it's got its goofy moments, but then it's country music, so you expect that. One of his stronger albums, imo, even if you don't like the genre.
Christmas album: Many folk sneer at this, and there's a few moments that do indeed deserve the sneer. However, for me it succeeds at Christmas Time. This album is like those silly carols, which are fun for two weeks of the year.
McCabe
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 3, 2013 15:39:56 GMT -5
Ringo has put out so many clunkers, that a "five least" is pretty tough. How do you choose between Liverpool 8 and Y Not? Bad example, IMO. Now, if you had said "between Liverpool 8 and Choose Love or Ringo Rama", I would agree. But Y NOT got better notices (now, I mean for Ringo!) than his earlier albums, and well deserved. It's got a good amount of good tunes, and a heavier feel in spots. that's exactly what i did! I bought a beautiful Vinyl copy of OLD WAVE at the BeateFest last year, and when I got home and played both sides in full, I thought it sucked! I don't like the "vibe" to it at all. Here is an LP that deserved only to be released in Germany and Canada (and not the US), We agree about the general goodness on this LP, but I can't agree that Paul's songs here are better... I like SIX O'CLOCK and I think it's vastly superior to both ATTENTION and PRIVATE PROPERTY... I like the novelty of it -- here is an actual Christmas album in full, by one of The Beatles! However, for me, the album is third-rate and leaves much to be desired -- a missed opportunity overall.
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Post by coachbk on May 8, 2013 12:07:29 GMT -5
In answer to the original question, there is nothing close to RINGO. It made my top 10 list of Beatles albums and Ringo didn't have any others in my top 20. Now I must admit I have not heard every song on every album. The only other ones I own are GOODNIGHT VIENNA, ROTOGRAVURE and RING-O-RAMA (plus a BEST OF). But based on the songs I've heard described as "bests" from his other albums, I feel confident that none of the others are as good as RINGO. "Weight Of The World" from TIME TAKES TIME is very good . "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go" is fairly mediocre. That could be Ringo's 2nd best album. I need to listen to more tracks.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 9, 2013 6:23:42 GMT -5
In answer to the original question, there is nothing close to RINGO. It made my top 10 list of Beatles albums and Ringo didn't have any others in my top 20. Now I must admit I have not heard every song on every album. The only other ones I own are GOODNIGHT VIENNA, ROTOGRAVURE and RING-O-RAMA (plus a BEST OF). But based on the songs I've heard described as "bests" from his other albums, I feel confident that none of the others are as good as RINGO. "Weight Of The World" from TIME TAKES TIME is very good . "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go" is fairly mediocre. That could be Ringo's 2nd best album. I need to listen to more tracks. IMO, yes - I do think you need to listen to more tracks and complete albums before rendering a verdict. I still think RINGO stands tall at #1, but after this I would place TIME TAKES TIME and GOODNIGHT VIENNA. I might even place Y NOT and RINGO 2012 in the Top Five.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 9, 2013 11:27:20 GMT -5
I am the opposite Joe. Every morning as I head out the door I grab my Y Not and Ringo 2012 compact discs and place them in front of my car's front tires and I drive over them in utter contempt. Every day!
I do agree with you about the great Time Takes Time although I rank it higher than RINGO simply because it gave me more enjoyment upon release. My top four Ringo is TTT, R, GV and BoBlues.
I am meaner to the "Roses" c.d. as I use that as a clay pigeon when I go out back and shoot my shotgun. "Pull!"
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Post by Panther on May 26, 2013 3:53:18 GMT -5
I hate the 'Ringo' album! Reminds of bad Wings' B-sides from the mid-70s.
The only Ringo Starr album I've heard that is quite nice is 'Beaucoups of Blues', but I would't mind giving a listen to a couple of his recent ones if the urge ever strikes me.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 27, 2013 2:42:18 GMT -5
I hate the 'Ringo' album! Reminds of bad Wings' B-sides from the mid-70s. The only Ringo Starr album I've heard that is quite nice is 'Beaucoups of Blues', but I would't mind giving a listen to a couple of his recent ones if the urge ever strikes me. I applaud a dissent to "Ringo." It always gets a free pass from us, me included. I don't think it has aged well at all. There is a Postulate for Ringo too. Conventional Wisdom for Ringo was SJ and BB sucked and Ringo got up to speed with Ringo. Same jazz for Paul but it took him his 5th album to get it right per the CW. I defend "Sentimental Journey" by pointing out that Ringo was ahead of his time and now everyone who is anyone does a standard's album, even McCartney. "Beaucoups of Blues" is very nice, old school C & W. Ringo should have gone for Alternative C & W and he'd be one of those "Outlaw" C & W singers like Merle Haggard and a few others. That would be a cool place for Ringo to have gone. Not the sappy Pop music he ended up with.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 27, 2013 8:13:10 GMT -5
I applaud a dissent to "Ringo." It always gets a free pass from us, me included. I don't think it has aged well at all. The album is a product of 1973, and that is how it should be considered. And I think it's great that many people do like the RINGO album. Why? Because Ringo gets very little love, if any, from the fans. Just about everyone ignores Ringo's solo career. Any time someone at least recognizes the RINGO album as an exceptional record, and also one of the Very Best Solo Beatles Albums Of All Time, it is a good and well-deserved thing. And certainly cannot be overstated enough. My postulate is that nobody thinks Ringo had anymore decent albums after 1974, and I don't agree with that. I agree - but, JSD, are you sure all those moldy old "standards" are not "passe"? Those old songs haven't aged well, have they? sigh... that's right -- now start dissing Ringo's greatest and most successful songs, just to push buttons and be outrageous...
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Post by John S. Damm on May 27, 2013 12:14:54 GMT -5
sigh... that's right -- now start dissing Ringo's greatest and most successful songs, just to push buttons and be outrageous... Wait a minute, I mentioned that I was a "RINGO" album admirer but I was happy to see a dissenting voice. I like when posters challenge SPLHCB too! Joe, I was not trying to push any buttons by suggesting that Ringo should have been disciplined and stuck with Country & Western and Rockabilly. That is where his talents best lie as a singer. He could have been huge in C & W had he gone there. He'd be like Waylon Jennings or Haggard or even Johnny Cash had he stuck with it. And he would be musically respected had he done it. Ringo's solo career is one only Beatles' fanatics can love as I heard somewhere recently! I am not pushing buttons or being radical saying that. Other than some mid-1970's singles that were big hits, no one other than us fanatics followed or follows Ringo's solo career.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 27, 2013 16:43:44 GMT -5
Ringo should have been disciplined and stuck with Country & Western and Rockabilly. That is where his talents best lie as a singer. He could have been huge in C & W had he gone there. He'd be like Waylon Jennings or Haggard or even Johnny Cash had he stuck with it.[ And he would be musically respected had he done it. Ringo's solo career is one only Beatles' fanatics can love as I heard somewhere recently! I am not pushing buttons or being radical saying that. Other than some mid-1970's singles that were big hits, no one other than us fanatics followed or follows Ringo's solo career. Ringo did better than John Lennon in that period as a solo artist, and had more hits and success. And how can you 'know' that Ringo would have been huge in C&W, when BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES didn't exactly set the world - or Ringo's career - on fire? If anything, it was RINGO and its hit songs which did this for a brief time.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 28, 2013 0:00:07 GMT -5
Ringo should have been disciplined and stuck with Country & Western and Rockabilly. That is where his talents best lie as a singer. He could have been huge in C & W had he gone there. He'd be like Waylon Jennings or Haggard or even Johnny Cash had he stuck with it.[ And he would be musically respected had he done it. Ringo's solo career is one only Beatles' fanatics can love as I heard somewhere recently! I am not pushing buttons or being radical saying that. Other than some mid-1970's singles that were big hits, no one other than us fanatics followed or follows Ringo's solo career. Ringo did better than John Lennon in that period as a solo artist, and had more hits and success. And how can you 'know' that Ringo would have been huge in C&W, when BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES didn't exactly set the world - or Ringo's career - on fire? If anything, it was RINGO and its hit songs which did this for a brief time. Well we know Ringo's career as an artist that mattered was done with "Goodnight Vienna." Country & Western was in a lull in 1970 when BOB was released. If Ringo could have stuck it out C & W continued to grow in popularity
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 28, 2013 6:22:56 GMT -5
Country & Western was in a lull in 1970 when BOB was released. If Ringo could have stuck it out C & W continued to grow in popularity Okay. Can you now accurately predict 6 winning lottery numbers for me, please?
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Post by John S. Damm on May 28, 2013 9:51:53 GMT -5
Country & Western was in a lull in 1970 when BOB was released. If Ringo could have stuck it out C & W continued to grow in popularity Okay. Can you now accurately predict 6 winning lottery numbers for me, please? No but I can predict that each new Ringo album will only sell to people who pass the "obsessed" status in that video sayne posted.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 28, 2013 10:13:46 GMT -5
No but I can predict that each new Ringo album will only sell to people who pass the "obsessed" status in that video sayne posted. And that's fine. Ringo is someone I have come to admire greatly over the past 25 years. The man had a severe lifelong drinking problem, got himself completely sober, and now he looks better and healthier than most people his age, or sometimes even half his age. Ringo realizes that "music and drumming is what I do", and he is happy just to play drums in bands with other people, and to keep on keepin' on by releasing new albums -- whether they sell more than 100 copies or not. I say 'good for him'. I think it would be a good idea for Ringo to make a new country album, but only if it's something he feels he needs or wants to do for himself. There is no telling how his career would have been after 1974 if he had gone the country route. All we know is that he had good success in the early '70s with the pop music he made, and that his BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES effort didn't really knock anyone's socks off at the time he released it.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 28, 2013 10:51:00 GMT -5
In the past I've opined that I'd like to see Ringo work with Rick Rubin, the producer. That guy has kicked life into several careers like Johnny Cash by pushing them, making the artist get out of his comfort zone.
I think Ringo, from the Dingle, was born to lead this alternative folk/bluegrass/country/skiffle sound that is sweeping the Western world as best shown by Mumford & Sons(who were also inspired by my The Avett Brothers).
It wouldn't be a fad or trend for Ringo, like his forays into glam rock, disco, etc., as that is the music he was born into and the music he should have been doing all of these years. Ringo's vocals on "Matchbox" is the most profoundly sincere, heartfelt and yeah haunted vocal by any Beatle ever. That is the sound Ringo needs to strive for every time. Ringo grew up with that loneliness and heartbreak. Call it Alternative Country, Indie Folk-Rock or Punkabilly, that is where Ringo needs to be.
It is too late alas. He is fun in concert.
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Post by theman on May 28, 2013 13:45:51 GMT -5
I think Ringo, from the Dingle, was born to lead this alternative folk/bluegrass/country/skiffle sound that is sweeping the Western world as best shown by Mumford & Sons(who were also inspired by my The Avett Brothers). Not to completely hijack this thread, but a buddy of mine sent me mp3s of the last two Avett Brothers albums. I listened to "The Carpenter" this weekend and really, really liked it. I always wondered about this band that you've gone on about, JSD. I'm now indoctrinated, I think. Can't wait to listen to the other one that I have..."I And Love And You"!! Finally, a contemporary artist I can get excited about (last one for me was Barenaked Ladies ).
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Post by John S. Damm on May 28, 2013 14:31:46 GMT -5
I think Ringo, from the Dingle, was born to lead this alternative folk/bluegrass/country/skiffle sound that is sweeping the Western world as best shown by Mumford & Sons(who were also inspired by my The Avett Brothers). Not to completely hijack this thread, but a buddy of mine sent me mp3s of the last two Avett Brothers albums. I listened to "The Carpenter" this weekend and really, really liked it. I always wondered about this band that you've gone on about, JSD. I'm now indoctrinated, I think. Can't wait to listen to the other one that I have..."I And Love And You"!! Finally, a contemporary artist I can get excited about (last one for me was Barenaked Ladies ). Exactly! I have loved The Beatles since I was 12. Briefly I was an Elton John fan right before The Beatles but I don't know what it is like to like a band at the height of its glory! Paul was closest as I recall the Wings' glory days. George had the Cloud Nine/Wilbury mania and most tragic, John had the glorious Fall of 1980 that was cut short as we know. PM me if you want me to burn you the old Avett albums, they are outstanding. You will love "I And Love And You," that was my first album. The one before, "Emotionalism" is the Avetts' Revolver as I like to say. As I say, Ringo was born to do country/folk,/skiffle,/rockabilly style music. He could have been the Godfather of this style had he stuck to it. He went for slick Pop Music sadly and the rest is history.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 28, 2013 15:18:53 GMT -5
As I say, Ringo was born to do country/folk,/skiffle,/rockabilly style music. He could have been the Godfather of this style had he stuck to it. He went for slick Pop Music sadly and the rest is history. Yes, poor Ringo went for slick pop music in a band called The Beatles and made a historical misfire --- "sadly"... I'm still waiting for your winning lottery numbers, John... you seem to know exactly how the future will pan out! Ringo did excellent as a pop artist... where he went wrong was drinking and releasing some half-ass albums before he got it together. By the time he got it together for TIME TAKES TIME, nobody was interested anymore. But as you always say, TTT is a great Ringo album. And without being country or folk.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 28, 2013 15:23:42 GMT -5
Ringo's vocals on "Matchbox" is the most profoundly sincere, heartfelt and yeah haunted vocal by any Beatle ever. I like MATCHBOX and also Ringo's vocal on it. But I don't think anyone (including yourself, honestly) believes it is "the most profoundly sincere, heartfelt and yeah haunted vocal by any Beatle ever". Why? Other than you and I, and possibly a handful of others, MATCHBOX is not considered a classic or "great Ringo". On the other hand, I think Ringo did just fine striving for the sounds in songs like IT DON'T COME EASY, PHOTOGRAPH, ONLY YOU, YOU'RE SIXTEEN, NO NO SONG, and 'etc'. You like the striving on MATCHBOX? Then I'm surprised you don't enjoy Y NOT.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 28, 2013 16:43:49 GMT -5
As I say, Ringo was born to do country/folk,/skiffle,/rockabilly style music. He could have been the Godfather of this style had he stuck to it. He went for slick Pop Music sadly and the rest is history. Yes, poor Ringo went for slick pop music in a band called The Beatles and made a historical misfire --- "sadly"... I'm still waiting for your winning lottery numbers, John... you seem to know exactly how the future will pan out! Ringo did excellent as a pop artist... where he went wrong was drinking and releasing some half-ass albums before he got it together. By the time he got it together for TIME TAKES TIME, nobody was interested anymore. But as you always say, TTT is a great Ringo album. And without being country or folk. I am just stating my opinion on what I perceive as Ringo's strengths and the musical path I wish he would have pursued. I am not predicting the future as Ringo has no future now because he is too old, other than fronting the All-Starrs and releasing treadmill albums that sell in very low quantities. When I say slick Pop music I am talking about his solo career with Richard Perry, Vini Poncia, Arif Mardin and then Mark Hudson. I do like Richard Perry's clean, crisp production but those other guys blow! Jeff Lynne is slick Pop Music but it is good Pop music and Lynne's produced "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go" is among Ringo's finest solo moments in my book. I wish Jeff Lynne would produce Ringo more or better yet Rick Rubin but Ringo would have to work. The Richard Perry formula served Ringo very well for two albums and that was it, with GV less impressive than Ringo. I for sure am speculating that Ringo would have had a much more fruitful solo career by sticking to his roots and his strengths: C & W with Rockabilly. Obviously he should have done something different than the path he actually took but it is what it is.
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Post by theman on May 29, 2013 7:53:21 GMT -5
The Richard Perry formula served Ringo very well for two albums and that was it, with GV less impressive than Ringo. I for sure am speculating that Ringo would have had a much more fruitful solo career by sticking to his roots and his strengths: C & W with Rockabilly. Obviously he should have done something different than the path he actually took but it is what it is. The rockabilly-ished, Buddy Holly cover, "Think it Over" being Exhibit A!
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