Ringo has always been a truly gifted artist since being the drummer and singer with The Beatles, on his own, and with His All-Star Band. This album will NOT disappoint you. Way to Go, Ringo.

Richard,

Let me see if I understand your new arrangement... you're waaayyy too busy to accept fan mail (such that it is) but you increasingly rely on user-generated promotion via free reviews and other channels to keep your elderly, elevator-friendly jukebox somewhat in the public eye. You know Laddie, if some woman in South Yorkshire wants a signed photograph because Back Off Boogaloo made her hip replacement that much easier to take - make it happen you ingratious SOB.

One final favor, the next time you flash one of your countless and cliched peace signs in concert, please make it a more honest gesture and just use one finger.

Cheers,

Pete Best

Indeed, it is very rare these days for me to purchase an album of brand new material. I was always a Top 40 kind of guy and as such generally limit my purchases to the best available anthology of solo artists and groups from the 1940's through the 1980's. Thus, I really did surprise myself when I picked up a copy of Ringo Starr's latest release "Liverpool 8". At first I was not all that impressed. But after having played this disc four or five times I am really starting to enjoy it.
The album kicks off with the title track which is an autobiographical piece about Ringo's relationship with his hometown of Liverpool. "Liverpool 8" is one of only two tunes on the album that utilizes strings and I thought that the arrangement was superb. If you are a big fan of country music I suspect you might recognize the riffs in "Think About You" as being very similiar to the ones you would have heard in the Forrester Sisters 1991 smash "Men". Now way back in the day I seemed to have a knack for predicting what might become a hit record. My ears tell me that "Give It A Try" would have been a big pop hit back in Ringo's heyday in the 1970's. Perhaps my very favorite tune on "Liverpool 8" is a pleasant little ditty called "Harry's Song". I love the way Ringo chose to conclude this song by simply whistling for the final 45 seconds or so. Very nice! Furthermore, I can't seem to get this tune out of my head! Without a doubt, the most intriguing piece on this album is a song called "Pasodobles". Now "Pasodobles" is a Spanish term referring to the type of music played at bullfights when the bullfighters are introduced. The term also refers to a traditional Spanish ballroom dance much like the tango I suspect. Although I still have not quite figured out just what this haunting tune is all about I thought that the guitar work by Gary Burr on acoustic and most notably Steve Dudas on classical guitar was quite exceptional. See if you agree. Meanwhile, I also thoroughly enjoyed a pair of tunes towards the end of the album "If It's Love That You Want" and "Love Is". Finally, if you are a fan the mandolin you will likely love the albums final tune "R U Ready". As another reviewer aptly noted this raucus closing number might just remind you of a hoedown.
I must confess that I was quite surprised to discover that Ringo wrote all 12 of the tunes on "Liverpool 8". I had no idea that at this stage of his career he was still such a capable songwriter. As I indicated earlier "Liverpool 8" has really grown on me during the past week. It is considerably better than I expected. Ringo does a workmanlike job on the vocals and drums while the backup band led by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame is simply outstanding throughout. So as the song says "Give It A Try". Recommended.

Usual rubbish from the fan-hating miserable old nasty geeza. Horrible from start to finish, go away and keep doing whatever it is to make you too busy for fan mail. Remember who put you there, you talentless twerp.

Ringo is wonderful as usual. This recording brings him back to where it all started, which is great for those of us on the other side of the pond.