Y - Not

[gettingbetter]

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Ringo Starr is joined by his former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney for a duet on "Y Not," the drummer's forthcoming solo album due out Jan 12, 2010.

The Universal Music release also includes vocal turns by Joss Stone, Ben Harper and Richard Marx as well as musical and songwriting contributions from the Eagles' Joe Walsh, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard and Van Dyke Parks, among others.

But despite the star-studded guest list, Starr is handling the production duties himself for the first time in his storied career.

"I was the least involved in the production of the Beatle records," Starr said in a statement. "And then with my solo records, I worked with some other great producers like Richard Perry, Arif Mardin, and Don Was. So it just seemed like that's the way that it goes. Then suddenly, it's another point in your life, and you say, 'I'm going do this now.' So I'll be producing anything I make from now on."

McCartney's contributions to the album include playing bass on the song "Peace Dream," as well as lead vocal duties on "Walk With You," a song composed by Starr and Van Dyke Parks. Other tracks on "Y Not" include the album's opening track, "Fill In The Blanks," a rocker written, played and sung only by Starr and Walsh; and "The Other Side Of Liverpool," an autobiographical song exploring Starr's pre-Beatle days encountering poverty and violence in his hometown.

[gettingbetter]

Maybe producing his own work was much more time-consuming than he realized hence the reason he can't sign autographs any more. 

I am looking forward to "Walk With You" and "Peace Dream" for obvious reasons.  I'm also excited about Joss Stone guesting because I love her voice.  (Even though she over does it sometimes)

I am glad Ringo continues to work and record.  It will be interesting to see how long he keeps this pace up.  He seems much more busy now than he did in the late '70s and all throughout the '80s.

[Paperback Writer]

Yeah he's busier than in the 70's, 80's, something has to replace the booze!  lol, Seriously, I'm sure his sobriety is a reason for that. (Looking at his wife must be inspiring, also.)

[mervap]

Ya know, "Liverpool 8" was quite a good record...very listenable, with some good tunes. My one complaint was that, although his voice is pleasant enough, I don't really want to listen to him sing MANY songs in a row. Maybe having some guest vocalists will be a nice change of pace...

[2 of 3]

Yeah, it's almost a Ringo-rama format, with other singers. Good idea really

[gettingbetter]

Merv - I agree with your assessment.  All of the albums Ringo has released since Time Takes Time have been pleasant enough affairs, but nothing earth shattering.  Time Takes Time was special because it was essentially a comeback - and a strong one at that.  Ever since then it's been fairly consistent but I have to ask myself how many Ringo albums do I really need?  I bought Liverpool 8 but I skipped Choose Love.  Because of the Macca contributions I will probably break down and get this one but I will probably only listen to it once or twice. 

[Kylenz]

This one is shaping up to be a goodie. Looking forward to the Paul contributions, good to see them still working together.

[Kylenz]

I was naughty and, well, I 'found' the album, totally innocently at the zinhof blog that I check out from time to time. Usually he's a blues blog but he had the new Ringo album in 320k mp3 format.. it's actually a really decent album on first listen. The song with Paul on vocals, 'Walk With You', features Paul and Ringo doing some great harmonies on the choruses, I've never heard them sing together like that before, it's super impressive. 'Time' has some really cool drumming and an interesting beat. 'The Other Side Of Liverpool' is great. He references John in 'Peace Dream' - another impressive song. The guest spots never detract from the focus that it is still Ringo's album.. he is still at the forefront.

Can't wait to give this another spin tomorrow. I think this will be another case of buying an album after downloading it first. The record companies don't realise that many of us buyers are happy to support an artist that puts out quality music, they just want to simply control it all.. which is why it has kind-of bitten them on the backside as people have had enough. However, that is another debate!

The new Ringo album is.. pretty decent! I would say it is... ummmmmm 100x better than 'Ringo The 4th'!

[2 of 3]

Yeah, Kyle...I was bad too.

I must say......What a surprise this Y-Not is. I mean....it's actually very very good. I was never much of a Ringo solo album fan....they were just sort of there to me. But this album seems to have some real strengths. Ringo PRODUCED this album by himself? He may have a new careers ahead of him. It's clean, he sounds fantastic...and his drumming sounds soooooo fresh. The song he sings with Paul is just.....can I say perfect? Paul does his thing and it is not in the least bit overpowering. Ringo stands out...I really like that tune. It's so great to hear them sing together. The songs are pretty basic rock and roll...and lyrically....ok.... nostalgic is the best word. I don't know...maybe the old guy in me likes this more than somebody younger would...but I don't care. Good Job Ringo! 

[2 of 3]

In case you want to hear it. 


http://www.youtube.com/user/JoeatRadio

[mervap]

Ringo stands out...I really like that tune. It's so great to hear them sing together.

I can't believe how much I dig this tune...most of the time, Ringo's CDs are a kind of "party-time" affair and this one may be no different. However, I think this is the best tune Ringo's done since the early seventies when he and George were turning out hits.

I was listening to "Walk With You" and my eyes began to sweat a bit for the simple reason that we may not have many more moments like this to relish: hearing two Beatles singing together on a new song. Thanks, guys!

[Kylenz]

Yeah, it's like Paul isn't 'taking over' the song, it's still Ringo's song.. the way they sing together really is quite emotional for us Beatle junkies. And I agree about the production, it is FANTASTIC! Ringo is an excellent producer.

[mervap]

Ok, I'll admit I got a little over-anxious after hearing Ringos and Paul on "Walk With You" and 'found' this one....I am quite pleased to say that I WILL be buying this one when it is officially released....it is THAT good.

If I were to recommend one Ringo album, this one is head and shoulders the winner

Many moons ago, I reviewed Ringo's self-titled album "Ringo"...the above quote was included therein. After having listed to "Y-not" several times, I must amend that statement to say that there are TWO Ringo albums I would recommend if pressed, and this is the other one. It reminds me of "Time Takes Time" in that it appears that Ringo wishes folks to judge the CD on its musical and writing merits rather than have a party while listening....that's a great thing! As always, there are a number of musical luminaries present, but none of them takes the spotlight from Ringo...

Another thing that merits mentioning is that Ringo produced this album himself- a first for him. I don't know if he had some help or not, but this album sounds GREAT.....clean and tidy, with none of the "loudness" you get from so much newer material. It has power with space to breathe, something producers these days have apparently forgotten how to do.

A big plus is Ringo's drumming, always good, has reached yet another peak. Trust me on that! 

Ok, the standouts:

"Walk With You" is a collaboration between Ringo and Van Dyke Parks and it is a marvelous tribute to the power of friendship. According to Ringo, Paul had just recorded his bass part for "Peace Dream" when Starr played him the basic track for this. Paul asked immediately to sing a backing part and laid down a harmony part that is just stunning...just as stunning might be the violins (by Anne-Marie Calhoun, also stunning!)that remind me of a number of Beatles tracks....never overdone, just right.

"The Other Side of Liverpool" recounts some of Ringo's earliest memories, many of them less than pleasant, all wrapped in a nifty mid-tempo blues and topped some of the finest guitar work on a Ringo album, presumably played by new brother-in-law Joe Walsh. Not everyone can look back and keep one's feet firmly planted in the present, but Ringo does just that.

I was listening to "Time" while chatting with Two and he told me this was a goodie.....and was quite correct. I was telling him how different the drumming was for Ringo, who is not really known as a funky drummer....rock-solid, but not funky. Well, he's added a bit of that here. It's hard to imagine a guy nearing 70, with all he's accomplished, still stretching himself in that way...major props!

"Who's Your Daddy" is a rockin' romp thru some bluesy territory featuring Joss Stone...musically, I loved this one! Ringo seems to be having a ball, too.


There are no really weak tracks here...a no-skipper for now!

[Paperback Writer]

WoW!  Thanks for the reviews AND very glad to hear how great the album has turned out.

Probably it's definite, now, that this will refresh his summer tours, hopefully with some fresh musicians.  (They all don't have to be established stars, some red-hot, really expert -  up-coming musicians would help, too).

[Roger SB]

man, i am SO stoked to see a new cd from Mr. Starkey! gonna buy it!