Full confession! I was always a little bit in love with Ringo Starr, so much so I named my cat after him and had a Ringo badge on my jacket for about eight years.
His new country-tinged album ‘Look Up’ is a roots music project steeped in country. Ringo’s vocal tones have always veered towards rockabilly and country sonics, while his lifelong love and appreciation of country music has always been celebrated throughout his illustrious career, so it was never going to be a complete departure to see the former Beatle dipping his toes into the country scene.
He performed and wrote numerous country and country-tinged songs throughout his years with The Beatles such as the brilliant ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ from the White Album and who could forget the brilliant country album ‘Beaucoups of Blues’. There’s an innate sadness in Ringo’s voice which is ideally suited to this genre of music and with ‘Look Up’, it sees him at his charming best.
Produced by T Bone Burnett (former Bob Dylan band guitarist), ‘Look Up’ sees Ringo serve up some of his best and most heartfelt vocals on his first country record in more than a half-century.
His first album in six years sees him in fine form and is a charming collection of eleven original tracks including lead single ‘Time on my Hands’ which were recorded last year in Nashville and Los Angeles.
The nine time GRAMMY Award winner’s new album sees him collaborate with some of Nashville’s finest and hottest talent which includes bluegrass musicians Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle with artists like Larkin Poe, Lucius and Alison Krauss all making an appearance.
‘I Live For Your Love’ sees Ringo sing of the importance of living in the moment and for his wife’s love. Molly Tuttle’s vocals help elevate the song, complimenting Ringo’s tender and emotive delivery.
Album closer, the sweet ‘Thankful’ which was co-written by Starr sees Ringo coining his famous phrase with his wistful yearnings that he is ‘hoping for more peace and love’. Perennially a positive force for good, the track is sincere, earnest and reflective with lines like ‘I put my life into your hands/ And you made me a better man’.
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Of course, Ringo plays drums throughout and his delivery on tracks like the rousing ‘Rosetta’ where he sings of ‘stopping the clocks’ is a visceral delight with its twangy guitars is a highlight. Starr has often referenced the American singer-songwriter Rosetta Tharpe as an influence for The Beatles work.
The toe-tapping ‘You Want Some’ (one of just two tracks solely sung by Starr) is set to be a real crowd-pleaser and sounds like it could have been a release by the Beatles back in the day. With its honky tonk piano and genial drumming, it’s enchanting and evocative and is guaranteed to brighten your day.
Another highlight is ‘Never Let Me Go’ which features the aforementioned Billy Strings whose vocals truly complement Ringo’s tone. With the line ‘I will never fade away’ it feels that this is a statement of intent and that despite being 84 years young, he still remains one of the world’s brightest musical luminaries and remains passionate about releasing new music.
From ‘Breathless’, the easy-going tap along opener with its intoxicating percussion to the poignant ‘Time On My Hands’ with its sweeping swing arrangement, ‘Look Up’ is a masterclass in country-rock anthems and it feels that it’s an album that the legendary musician has waited over 50 years to make. Is it worth the wait? Absolutely!
Whilst ‘Look Up’ is not Ringo’s first rodeo in the genre of country, it feels somewhat different from anything he has done before. It’s paying homage to the genre he loves, but still feels contemporary and energised, with thoughtful lyrics that showcase his warm vocals. His wheelhouse has always been in conveying emotion, profound sincerity and of course his stellar storytelling, and ‘Look Up’ is the perfect showcase for him to do that.
8/10
Words: Emma Harrison // @emmahwriter
