Ringo Starr's 'Long Long Road,' a new country album from an ex-Beatle
LOS ANGELES - Ringo Starr surprised his fans last year when he released a new country album more than 50 years after "Beaucoups of Blues."
Working on "Look Up" with T Bone Burnett was so much fun for the former Beatle that he is now following it up. The restless 85-year-old has been back in the studio with the country icon and has emerged with his 22nd studio album, "Long Long Road."
The album title has something autobiographical about it and, at 85, Ringo is looking back. "Yeah, well, we're talking about that now because of 'Long, Long Road.' It's like the road I've taken," he says, pointing to the various stops in his life.
"We got out of Liverpool and we went to London and then we went to New York and, you know, all of those are stop marks on your, you know, on your walk of life. It's so far out."
But despite its retrospective theme, "Long Long Road" is still a modern country album, thanks also to prominent guest musicians Burnett brought into the studio in Nashville, Tennessee, for the recordings - Sheryl Crow, Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Molly Tuttle and Sarah Jarosz.
"They're for-real artists, and Ringo's a for-real artist, so I wanted to put other people with him." The studio band is the same as on its predecessor, "Look Up."
The 10 songs, a mix of cover versions and originals, combine relaxed country vibes with elements of classic rock and tell stories of being on the road and growing older. Ringo knows both very well. A simple, driving number like "It's Been Too Long" - with wonderful harmonies by Tuttle and Jarosz in the chorus - is tailor-made for Ringo.
Other songs, including oldies such as the sad, schmaltzy ballad "I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore," are effortlessly made his own by the former Beatle. The song was performed by Carl Perkins among others.
Richard Starkey discovered his love of country music in his youth in Liverpool.
"Growing up in Liverpool, we were blessed because it was a port. The ships would go to America and then come back and they'd have all the records, country and blues," he said.
"Liverpool was like the capital of what's happening now in America. The boys would bring in all these records. And after three days, they'd spent all their money, so they sold the records. That's how it was."
Because he was a big fan of the U.S. country and blues singer Lightnin' Hopkins, he almost emigrated to America at 18, before he met his future bandmates. But because the paperwork at the embassy frustrated him, he dropped the idea.
"I always feel I didn't go because God's on my side," he said at the album presentation in Los Angeles in front of prominent guests and fans such as Jeff Bridges, Sean Penn and John Mellencamp.
What would have happened? It's quite possible that hardly anyone would know him today. But Ringo Starr ultimately still fulfilled his country dream.
Some of the most beautiful songs on "Long Long Road" include "You And I (Wave of Love)" with magnificent string arrangements and "She's Gone." Ringo, who has been married to actress Barbara Bach for 45 years, sings these wonderful ballads with great feeling.
"I walk myself away now, from the gamble that is love," he sings in "Returning Without Tears." What could quickly come across as kitschy and affected sounds authentic coming from this full-of-life 85-year-old. Perhaps because it comes from the heart. Perhaps it is also the laid-back manner and the self-assurance with which Ringo sings this music in his own unmistakable way.
The album cover of "Long Long Road" features a photo of Ringo Starr wearing a striking purple ruffled shirt. Die-hard Beatles fans may find it familiar. If you open the album, you will find a photo from Beatles days showing the drummer wearing the shirt in the studio.
"It's the very same shirt," Ringo said in an interview with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, where he looked incredibly youthful for his age.
Next month, there will be new music from - or rather, with - Ringo Starr again. On the upcoming album by his former bandmate Paul McCartney, "The Boys of Dungeon Lane," there is a joint song by the two surviving Beatles members.
"It's still great for me to play with Paul," he said. These are good times for Beatles fans.
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Ringo Starr's "Long Long Road" was released Friday, April 24.
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