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Ringo asked one of his acquaintances to write a song for his next EP. That friend later returned with nine tunes, all with a country flavour. Instead of choosing just one, Mr Starkey decided he liked all of them, which led to him recording each one and turning it into his first album for six years. With assistance from Molly Tuttle, guitarist Billy Strings, Alison Krauss, four piece Indie band Lucius and sister duo Larkin Poe, Ringo realises his love of country music by issuing his first LP of such in over five decades.
BREATHLESS: A toe-tapping bluesy country song, punctuated by quirky drum fills and a chugging rhythm, it’s one about how the love of his life leaves him breathless. A brilliant start.
LOOK UP: Excellent guitar plays throughout whilst he sings about not looking down and feeling miserable about yourself. There could be a nod to a higher being in this. Live to fight another day.
TIME ON MY HANDS: He’s lost his girl, realises his error and implores you not to do the same, or, you too, will end up with time on your hands. Yes, growing up is hard. Catchy lyrics and a good country vibe makes this one to look out for.
NEVER LET ME GO: Beatles sounding (which can never be a bad thing). The harmonica is perfect for the backing and whatever others say about the love of his life, he’ll always be there. It's rather uplifting.
I LIVE FOR YOUR LOVE: Like many country songs, and certainly all those here, this is one about the woman in his life. Effective pedal steel on this ballad where only one thing matters.
COME BACK: Bookended by whistling, there are no drums on this. Lucius compliment his vocals as he implores the one who left him to return. The shortest track but the horse and wagon feel works.
CAN YOU HEAR ME CALL: The female vocals on the other tracks are in the background but this is a proper duet with Molly Tuttle. Beginning with something akin to a Johnny Cash song, and a guitar that reminds me of ‘Act Naturally’, it’s another one about a couple showing their love for each other.
ROSETTA: The rockiest track here and a background rhythm that carries on throughout makes everything different to how you expect a country song to sound. His girl left and came back. Great stuff all round.
YOU WANT SOME: More country blues with some Jerry Lee style piano thrown in. Imagine the house band improvising whilst the guest vocalist steps in front of the microphone. This does sound like a standard from the 1940s. One screaming out to be performed live. Another stand-out track..
STRING THEORY: Like the string theory that holds the Universe together, everything here turns into love and can’t be explained why. Molly Tuttle duplicates his vocal on a pleasant love song.
THANKFUL: The only song he’s had a hand in as writer, this features Alison Krauss on backing vocals. After throwing everything away, he thanks the woman he’s found for pulling him from the mire and our favourite drummer goes on to give praise for everything else around him. Some very 60s rhythm guitar plays throughout. It’s good.
VERDICT: I’m going to say that this is in my top three Ringo LPs and might surprise a lot of people. It’s very, very good. With an introduction from Elvis Costello in the booklet, though he’ll be first to admit he doesn’t have the greatest voice, at 84 years old, Sir Richard Starkey MBE returns to the style that best suits him. He knows his limitations and comes across as a much loved favourite uncle who doesn’t try to ‘reinvent’ himself. And there’s something rather comforting in that.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2025
Top reviews from other countries
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- Paul CachiaReviewed in Canada on 2 April 2025
Some very innovative songs on Look Up!!
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Thierry G.Reviewed in France on 4 April 2025
Un album country à avoir dans sa collection.
