Back on November 25th, I made a post alerting everyone of Ringo’s upcoming new album Ringo 2012 and giving some details about it (check that out here). Since we are coming up on the release date in 10 more days, I thought it a good time to give everyone a sneak preview.

The lead single for the album, “Wings” is actually a remake of an earlier single made in 1977, that was taken from his Atlantic album Ringo the 4th. Since this was released digitally back on January 10th (2012), I’ve decided to share another of the nine tracks on the disc.

“Anthem” is the album opener and a good representation of the upbeat nature of the entire collection. Co-written with Glen Ballard, Ringo delivers a good driving beat behind lots of punchy guitar, effectively giving it an overall “feel good” kind of sound.

One may want to think of Ringo 2012 as a continuation of his highly successful 1973 album Ringo. Although, unlike that offering, there are no “guest Beatles”, the new album does feature a remake performance of one of the 1973 Ringo tracks – a song written by Ringo himself called “Step Lightly.” In keeping with the feel of the new album, the re-make version has been injected with a lot more beat and liveliness. And, like the Ringo album, Ringo 2012 has our famous drummer joined in the studio with an impressive list of fine musicians that you’ve likely heard of before, to include (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke Parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, and Edgar Winter.

For more details about Ringo 2012, check out my earlier post. See below, to pick up your copy.

Ringo 2012, released on January 31, 2012

Here is a list of all available formats of Ringo 2012 with Amazon links to read more on, or purchase:

1) Ringo 2012 – Ringo 2012 9-track standard CD.

2) Ringo 2012 – Ringo 2012 9-track MP3 digital download.

3) Ringo 2012 [Amazon.com Exclusive CD+DVD Version] – Ringo 2012 Deluxe version: 9-track CD + DVD with over 15 minutes of commentary and live performance footage.

4) The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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It’s hard to believe that it has already been nearly two years since Ringo Starr’s last album, Y Not, hit the stores, but it has, and now he has another coming up that is due to be available at your favorite music retailers on January 30, 2012.

The album has the simplistic title Ringo 2012 and is expected to be the product of what Ringo told us in various press coverage since last April about preferring to make his music autobiographical in nature as opposed to publishing an autobiographical book, as he has been approached about doing several times. The album will be available on CD, vinyl and via direct download. Like, Y Not it will be distributed through Hip-O Records. I’ve included a link below if you would like to pre-order your copy through Amazon.

The album was produced by Ringo, and recorded in Los Angeles. It was mixed in England by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. Of the 9 tracks, two are covers, “Think It Over,” and “Rock Island Line”. Two others are new versions of his own songs, “Wings” and “Step Lightly.”

The track listing:
1. Anthem (Richard Starkey/Glen Ballard)
2. Wings (Richard Starkey/Vince Poncia)
3. Think It Over (Buddy Holly/Norman Perry)
4. Samba (Richard Starkey/Van Dyke Parks)
5. Rock Island Line (Arrangement by Richard Starkey)
6. Step Lightly (Richard Starkey)
7. Wonderful (Richard Starkey/Gary Nicholson)
8. In Liverpool (Richard Starkey/Dave Stewart)
9. Slow Down (Richard Starkey/Joe Walsh)

Joining Ringo in the studio for Ringo 2012 were musicians (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke Parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, Edgar Winter.

Ringo Starr

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, music related to this post:

1) Ringo 2012 – Ringo’s new album, pre-order only until Jan. 24, 2012

2) Y Not – Ringo’s last studio CD, released in January 2010, containing the hit “The Other Side Of Liverpool”.

3) The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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1. “Ringo 2012″ – a preview Back on November 25th, I made a post alerting everyone...
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Welcome to the Beatles Rarity of the Week. By the summer of 1998, Ringo Starr was way overdue to get a CD out. He had not had a studio release since 1992′s Time Takes Time and had since struck up a musical partnership with musician/songwriter Mark Hudson. Besides, the recent success of the Beatles Anthology series had effectively added a lot to the younger generation of Beatles fans, making the timing of a fresh new release a good bet. Most of the tracks on Vertical Man were actually recorded the previous year and included an impressive list of supporting musicians other than Ringo and Mark. Among them were Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh, Scott Weiland, Brian Wilson, Steven Tyler, Alanis Morissette, and Timothy B. Schmidt. I should probably mention that Paul McCartney and George Harrison made a few contributions as well. Additionally, Steve Dudas began playing bass and guitar for Ringo on this CD and is still with him today.

While not a huge commercial success, Vertical Man is one of my favorite solo efforts by Ringo and it was his biggest seller since his 1976 album Ringo’s Rotogravure. The CD was released in June of 1998, with a single release out the following month of a track on the CD called La De Da. The La De Da single contained the album track, plus a rearranged edit of the song that differs from the album version. There was also a song called Everyday that was not included on Vertical Man. The first 30, or so, copies of ‘VM’ delivered to each Best Buy store received a free 3-track second CD of bonus music (called a Best Buy Exclusive, or BBE). The BBE’s track listing was Mr. Doubleitup, Sometimes and Good News. Mr. Doubleitup and the La De Da b-side Everyday also appeared as bonus tracks on the Japanese edition of VM, but the other two BBE tracks, to my knowledge, have never surfaced anywhere else. I have decided to include one of these as this week’s BROW. Sometimes is Ringo back in that country vein he’s been known to be partial to over the years, which makes for a unique sort of BROW. Ringo sings, plays drums and a little piano on the track. Mark Hudson plays bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, some piano and shares background vocals with ex-Eagle Timothy B. Schmidt. Steve Dudas also plays electric and acoustic guitar. Pedal steel guitar is played by Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and the main pianist is Jim Cox.

Cover art for Vertical Man BBE Bonus Disc, 1998

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, some music related to this post:

1) Vertical Man
– Original 1998 Vertical Man CD featuring La De Da, 1998

2) Ringo Starr VH1 Storytellers – Live performances by Ringo Starr and the Roundheads including La De Da, 1998

3) More Amazon links for any of your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Ringo Starr has recently announced on his website that not only is he currently working on a new record, he is also gearing up for a summer tour in Europe that will include England, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark and Russia. He has not announced any specific dates other than to say that on his 71st birthday on July 7th, he will be in Hamburg. Ringo will be accompanied by his latest All-Starr Band but the specific line-up of members this time around has not been announced. This will be the first European tour for Ringo and the All-Starrs since their second line-up in 1992 when the band included Burton Cummings, Dave Edmunds, Nils Lofgren, Todd Rundgren, Timothy B. Schmidt, Zak Starkey, Joe Walsh and Timmy Cappello.

Ringo Starr

Amazon links for your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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One of my favorite Ringo Starr album’s is 1998′s Vertical Man. The hit single off the album was called La De Da and along with Ringo’s regular band (Mark Hudson, Steve Dudas and Jim Cox), was his brother-in-law, Joe Walsh (doing that nice guitar work), and backing vocals by about 43 others including Paul McCartney, Barbara Bach, Steven Tyler, Nils Lofgren and Timothy B. Schmidt.

Note: Originally this post featured the La De Da promo video, but since this video has been pulled by You Tube, I have modified the post to feature the actual press kit (EPK) for the Vertical Man album which has some good snippets of La De Da and other songs on the album along with some interesting commentary from Ringo Starr. Enjoy.

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Ringo and his All Starr Band played at Radio City Music Hall last night and the concert was super, the band was hot, background vocals outstanding. It was virtually the same as any other night on his 2010 Tour. BUT IT WASN’T THE SAME AT ALL. This was Ringo’s 70th birthday and the sold out show was filled with luminaries and celebs in the Beatles world. The first hint at something special happening came during Photograph, when our friend Mark Rivera (who is listed in the program as the Musical Director) came out with his Sax and he and Edgar Winter shared the solo in the song. It was the start of unforgettable moments. The finale of With A Little Help From My Friends/ Give Peace a Chance saw dozens of musicians join Ringo in stage as backup singers. We cannot give you a full list of who was up there but Yoko, Peter Asher, Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh, Little Steven, Nils Lofgren, Jim Keltner, Max Weinberg, Greg Lake, Gary Brooker, Richard Marx, Billy Squier, Gary Burr, Colin Hay, Keith Allison were singing the extended finale. Then a huge cake was wheeled out in the shape of Ringo’s drum set and the entire audience sang Happy Birthday along with some of his grandchildren who came on stage with the cake. He said goodnight and left the stage, but I noticed the tech guys moving some gear on stage and then it appeared, under a dim light – it was THAT HOFNER BASS. At that moment the fans knew what was happening. It was a total surprise for Ringo, as the All Starrs came back on stage and then PAUL jogged out to center stage and ripped into Birthday. I can’t remember hearing such a loud ovation, more like a roar when Paul appeared. Ringo ran on stage and headed for his Drums. It was an unforgettable version with Paul turning around a number of times to glance at his former band mate. After the song, Ringo bopped over to Paul and they gave each other a warm and long embrace. They each said I Love You and there wasn’t a dry eye around. We will blog the full list when we can all figure it out. Olivia was also spotted in the audience but did not join in the finale.

To the Greatest – Peace and Love Ringo!

Original article by The Fest.
Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Yes! Happy 70th to my favorite drummer!

And after all these years, Ringo has remained very active in the music business and is on tour even as I write this.

This track titled Fill In The Blanks opens his latest album which came out last January called Y Not. The same two people that wrote the song are also the only two playing on the recording. Ringo plays drums, percussion, piano and sings, while his brother-in-law and long-time collaborator, Joe Walsh, plays guitar, bass and does some backing vocals. I’m not sure why I picked this particular song to post other than I like it, and it shows that his recent material is still fun to listen to. Of course, Ringo has had countless other good recordings on both record and at the box office, over the years. A good write-up of Ringo’s amazing career from a BBC source follows.

Ringo Starr

Richard Starkey was born on July 7, 1940 in Liverpool, England. The oldest Beatle (three months older than John) was born in a two-story house in the Dingle area to Richard and Elsie Starkey. His father was a Liverpool dock worker, and his mother worked in a bakery. Ringo’s parents met in this bakery, and later married. When little Richie was three years old, his parents broke up. Ringo’s mother later married Harry Graves, who Ringo called his “step ladder”.

Richard was a happy child despite the various hospital visits that filled much of his life. He entered the hospital for the first time at six years of age for a bout of appendicitis. Ringo became quite bored and even a bit lonely when he was in the hospital, so his parents brought him two toys to keep him entertained. One was a red bus, the other was a small drum…Ringo’s first drum! Ringo kept himself well occupied with the drum, but upon noticing the lonely boy in the bed next to him, Ringo decided to give up the pretty red bus. As little Richie leaned out of the bed to give his bus to the other boy, he fell…hitting his head and knocking himself into a coma.

Richard remained in the hospital for around another year, putting him behind in his education. When Ringo finally got out of the hospital, he was seriously behind in his schoolwork. He couldn’t read very well, and was put in a class with kids much younger than he was. Ringo became quite unhappy with his schooling situation. At 13, Ringo caught a cold which turned into pleurisy, putting Ringo back into the hospital and further behind in his schoolwork. Ringo also started smoking around this time, probably for something to do. By fifteen he could just barely read and write.

Like the other three Beatles, Ringo became interested with the Liverpool music known as skiffle. Ringo started his own group called the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group in 1957. In 1959, Ringo moved on to The Raving Texans, a quartet led by Rory Storm. Ringo became quite a good drummer with the added performance practice, even taking advantage of solos called “Starr Time”. Ringo got his nickname here because of the numerous rings he wore on his pinky and ring fingers. The name Starr was chosen by dropping the “key” from his last name. This gave him the catchy title we know him by today–Ringo Starr.

Rory Storm changed his band name to “The Hurricanes”, and they became a big success in Liverpool and Germany. It was in Hamburg in October of 1960 when Ringo first met his fellow Beatles. At the time, Rory Storm’s band was much more popular than the “Beetles with an A”. Nevertheless, the interest in Ringo Starr led to his joining the band in 1962. Rory Storm was quite unhappy to lose such a great drummer, and Pete Best, the Beatles original drummer, was less than happy to be replaced. Many Pete Best fans rejected Ringo, holding vigils outside Pete’s hous and rioting at the Cavern Club. The shout of “Pete Best forever! Ringo, never” were prevalent. Still, there was a wonderful connection between Ringo’s drumming style and the music of the Beatles. Ringo’s fun-loving attitude was appealing, giving the rest of the Beatles a head-start on their special humor.

Ringo’s health would continue to cause problems again later. In 1964 Ringo missed three quarters of the tour of Scandanavia, Holland, the Far East, and Australia, to have his tonsils out. Once this was resolved, the Beatles were underway. Ringo contributed many interesting quotes to the Beatles repertoire, some of which became song titles. “Eight Day’s A Week” was written after one of Ringo’s expressions. The Beatles’ first movie, originally called Beatlemania, was instead called A Hard Day’s Night after something Ringo said one evening after a particularly grueling session.

Because he seemed content to sit at the back, Ringo was sometimes considered to be the least important Beatle. He was not one of the main writers, nor was he a strong vocalist. Ringo was only given one song per album, but in my opinion Ringo used this valuable space well. Ringo became an integral part of The Beatles. Not only did his inventive drumming help provide The Beatles distinctive sound, but he fulfilled other very real needs. Ringo was the most down-to-earth member of the Fab Four. Ringo was the friendly Beatle. He received more fan mail than any of the others, and he became the mediator in many of the later arguments of the band.

The Beatles benefited from his sensitivity, his sense of humor, and his “peace and love” way of dealing with the world. His modesty and kind heart was as important to the Beatles as John and Paul’s musical talents. Ringo always seemed a bit overwhelmed by the success of the Beatles — as if he were pleasantly surprised by what was happening to him. Ringo really looked upon John, Paul, and George as his three brothers and continues to love them as such today. He gave of himself to them the best that he could with love and without ego. Ringo had his most important dreams come true with the Beatles. The only dream Ringo never fulfilled was to sit in the audience at a Beatles concert.

Ringo has been married twice. First to his long-time girlfriend Maureen Cox. Ringo met Maureen in the Cavern club when he was still with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Ringo and Maureen were married at Caxton Hall in Westminster on February 11, 1965. They had three children, Zak on September 13, 1965, Jason on August 19, 1967, and Lee on November 17, 1970. Ringo and Maureen were divorced in 1975, and sadly Maureen died December 30, 1994 of Leukemia despite a bone marrow transplant from her son Zak. Ringo married Barbara Bach, whom he met on the set of Caveman in 1983. They are still happily married today.

Ringo not only had a successful musical career with the Beatles, but also on his solo efforts and with his All-Starr Band. Ringo has had many great solo hits such as “Photograph”, “Back Off Boogaloo”, “You’re Sixteen”, and “It Don’t Come Easy”. Ringo has worked with many famous and wonderful artists such as Elton John, Harry Nilsson, Peter Frampton, Steven Tyler, Tom Petty, and even Ozzy Osbourne.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Welcome to this week’s BROW.

Last Tuesday Ringo Starr’s new CD Y Not was released and after a few listens, I have to say it does not disappoint. Many people have a tendency to judge Ringo by his mediocre releases from the late 1970′s or, dare I say, to be a bit age-prejudiced towards the guy. But my take on this is that his recent output has been good and this CD is probably the best thing he’s put out since, at least, Time Takes Time from way back in 1992. Paul McCartney plays bass on one track (Peace Dream) and duets with Ringo on a tune called Walk With You, which I’ve featured here. Aside from Paul, there is a healthy host of other musicians I’m sure you’ve heard of too, including Edgar Winter, Benmont Tench (of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Joe Walsh, Billy Squier, Dave Stewart (the Eurythmics guy), Gary Wright, Richard Marx and a few more. And for the first time ever, Ringo has had a hand in the production of the album. He co-produced it with his keyboardist Bruce Sugar.

One of the tracks on the CD is newly-recorded, but not new. Back in 1992, Ringo released a CD single in Germany that was not released in the UK or the US of the song Don’t Go Where The Road Don’t Go (lifted from his Time Takes Time album). There was a B-side on the single virtually unheard of outside of Germany called Everyone Wins. The song never saw release in the US or UK, and now the German release is also well out of print. A German friend of mine sent me a copy of the CD a few years back and the title is mistakenly listed there as Everybody Wins on the back cover. The new version of this b-side on Y Not features Benmont Tench, Gary Wright and Edgar Winter and is more keyboard-oriented, unlike the original version, which is more guitar-oriented and featured here on this week’s BROW. If you would like to compare with the newer version, pick up a copy of the new CD – Y Not?!

Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go German CD single released in August 1992

An aside: Benmont Tench may have also played on this original version of Everyone Wins too but that is not confirmed. It is known that he played on some of the other songs in the Time Takes Time sessions.

Want to make a suggestion for a future Beatles Rarity of the Week? Then let me hear from you. Read about more Beatles rarities and suggest one for me to post. You can begin by searching for different versions of specific tracks right here.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Ringo is putting out a new album due on the shelves January 12th called Y Not. Paul McCartney will be playing bass on a track called Peace Dream and sharing vocals with Ringo on the album’s first singe called Walk With Me. Paul has not been on a Ringo record since 1998′s Vertical Man. This will also be the first time in Ringo’s career that he will also be involved with producing the album. Other guests on the album include Joe Walsh, Joss Stone, Van Dyke Parks, Ben Harper and Richard Marx.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr

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