Lots of opinions. Here's mine. People have to invest time in giving a record a chance. That being said, I also go with the call back. It happened to me pretty quick. I found myself being called back to listen easily. Now after a week of listening, I love this album and can't wait to play it. When I do I can't help but think, " Ringo sounds great!!!!" Love him, proud of him and thankful this album came out.
Yeah, T-Bone Burnett's empathetic production really helps to make this the best Ringo album since the mid 1970s. T-Boone understood Ringo's Country & rootsy-Rock soul. Great insightful presentation.
They certainly disguise the old man vocals better on Ringo's recordings than they do with Paul's releases the past 20 years. But all of the world's greatest musicians are not going to create a product worthy of buying when it may produce two songs that are worthy of listening to beyond the present day. No artist is worth searching for a reason to enjoy when there is 50 years of outstanding material by all artists just waiting to be discovered out there. I am having a field day discovering old music that is new to me on TH-cam alone.
Thank god they don't butcher Pauls vocals, when you have good ears you immediately hear the bad production over most of Ringos vocals with Autotune that sound tasteless and cheap. On this album aswell as the last EP thankfully less which I appreciate! Pauls production team is much better, but the listeners of Pauls music are also different. Paul knows his albums will get rated long after his death, thats why they take more time.
With all the anticipation of country album by Ringo it doesn't go all in on the country some of it is the usual Ringo pop stuff, was thinking it would sound like Elvis Costello's Almost Blue album or of course his BoBlues album , but like you said so glad he is still making good music his gift to his fans
Being honest, this was a album was not expecting much from, yet pleasantly surprised. Main thing the media are actually taking a interest, with probably Vertical Man the last time the media were interested in any Ringo album, also to see it actually charting is a plus and a real shot in the arm for Ringo. Musically, since Vertical Man, Ringo albums are usually once really good song swamped with bad bland songs…. This album actually has 3/4 really good songs, and would say it’s on a par with anything Paul has put out since Memory Almost Full (his last few albums have been pretty forgettable). Also good to hear Ringo letting his voice shine, as he has went far to over the top with the autotune in his albums of late that gave his voice a far to electronic feel it it (February Sky probably his best song of recent years because of this)
You give a hard core critique. I love the new album. Beaucoups of Blues is Ringo's best Country song, but Look Up is a close second. I like Ringo's vocals on Look Up more than Beaucoups of Blues. I would reverse what you have. You have listened to the old album a lot of years, but this Look Up is brand new. Time takes time for the new album to review better, but you are a good evaluator. It seems Ringo gets a bad rap by most record collectors. You are consistent, John. You did admit the musicianship is outstanding and you did admit Ringo's voice is sound. I still feel the songs are strong. Lyrics can make or break an album. Ringo did his best work of lyric and production on Time Takes Time album in my opinion. Rosetta is a strong cut. What an amazing production by T Bone Burnett. It's easy listening. Enjoy while we have Ringo !
Thanks for the honest review John. I haven't and won't buy this album, but I've listened to it on TH-cam. The musicianship is good, Ringo's voice sounds good but the songs are very poor and that's the important thing. I don't understand why other Beatles fans/reviewers speak so highly of it, are they still under The Beatles spell?
Agree and disagree, but overall I feel positively about this album. You Want Some is classic 70s Ringo, it has a playfulness in the vocal and the little ad libs. Thankful is a track I’m actually quite find of. It has the only “peace and love” on the whole album (what a relief!) and found myself listening to it purely for pleasure and not out of obligation for Ringo. Even if he’s done it before, the feeling sounds truly meaningful here and not corny at all. Playing overall is strong and Ringo sounds really good. Auto tune was likely dialed down a lot. Can’t say that for anything he’s done in the last 25 years, which alone made the album actually enjoyable to listen to, but I agree that some songs in the beginning were predictable and cheesy. Overall, glad he made something more than decent to listen to
There must be two versions of this album… the version that so many people are praising and the version that I heard. The version I heard is dull with predictable lyrics and no memorable hooks. I am surprised that T Bone Burnett actually wrote such a sorry lot of songs. Given the rich history of country music, Ringo could have recorded an album of great songs that were written by legends, but maybe slipped under the radar at the time. That would have been interesting to hear some deeper tracks by Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Tom T Hall, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, etc. As much as I love Ringo as a member of the Beatles, I can’t pretend this album is even remotely good.
I think there’s been a bit of an over reaction to this. For me it’s his best since What’s My Name and that’s about it. I am enjoying it and it’s decent but I’d place it slightly below the middle his catalog.
I wasn't aware, Mr. Heaton, that you were a Tintin fan, but based on the background of this video, it looks like you might be... So am I, and here in the States there aren't too many people who have even heard of Herge's character, except through the Spielberg film. In my channel, I have several videos about Tintin, mostly in Spanish (I am a college professor of Spanish), though there are a couple in English as well. Great video, as always, and a very good review of Ringo's new country outing. Greetings from Tennessee!
I don't believe the hype. In 6 months Ringo will have forgotten this album, like with all his recent records, and be back to singing nothing newer than 1974.
I know BoB very well. There are 3 or 4 good songs and 3 or 4 tolerable songs, but no songs that are really strong. They rushed this project and it shows. Replace the two worst songs with two strong singles and this would have been an album to be proud of.
I wish Ringo the best. He contributed so much to music. But he should have retired 30 years ago. Ringo does not need the money so I will skip another one of his output.
@@graniterhythm53 I know what you mean but it depends how you use it. With Ringo it mostly sounds cheap and I assume they record fast (faster than Paul). But on this album its thankfully done with more taste.
I don’t think King Of Broken Hearts is either a country song or a disaster 💁♂️ Also although I agree the eps are not good value for money , I think there’s many great tracks on them . I think the new album is terrific .
I agree with you on the cost of the EPs , but i quite enjoy listening to them actually . There's good songs on everyone , and the new Country album is wonderful.
@@hairmanjeffyes that’s my point entirely . I think the music on the eps are great . I just think he should have waited till he had an albums worth before releasing them .Crooked Boy is especially good . Need someone is a better track than any one on Hackney Diamonds by the Stones .
Thanks John, your review has persuaded me to get it. I'm actually a sucker for Beaucoup of Blues and Sentimental Journey. When Ringo falls into the hands of a great producer (e.g., Richard Perry) the results are superb. He could do (and has done) a lot worse than T-Bone.
@@shyman99 Well, for me, there were several things. First, he listened to it *8 times*. This is a useful data point. In the past there have been Ringo LPs that, after hearing it once, I would think, I never need to hear this again for the rest of my life (Ringo the 4th, anyone?). But John found this album not only deserved several re-listenings, but was rewarded for his efforts. Second, he finds the record about 60% as good as Beaucoups of Blues, one of my favorites from Ringo. That would put it into the top 5 or 6 Ringo Starr LPs. Third, on top of the fact that (at least) half the tracks are worth a re-listen, there is the rather luxurious packaging, making this a better proposition fun-and-entertainment wise. Finally, John's final conclusion: there's a lot to recommend it, he wouldn't be without it, he's glad Ringo's around and still putting out new material at 84. I look forward to hearing the record myself.
@@dutchcanuck7550 - Here is what I heard: 1. At 2:45 , after reading off a history of the various country songs Ringo has done throughout the years, he said nothing on this album approaches the quality of those. 2. At 12:15 he says he likes 3 or 4 tracks a lot, & maybe a couple more will grow on him. That's not a solid album. 3. At 12:50, he gives Beaucoups Of Blues a 9 rating and this album a 6. In other words, no comparison. 4. At 13:10, he says that after he listened to it 7 or 8 times, he proceeds to say this album is not as good as virtually anything he did in the 70s. Not sure where you heard him say he was rewarded for his efforts of relistening. 5. His parting comment is "I wouldn't be quite as complimentary as to where this album stands in his entire catalog". In summary, if you are desperate for a reason to buy this album just for a few good tracks, then it may be worthwhile. But I need to have a more solid overall listening experience and there is so much out there deserving of my money than trying to find a reason to buy an album just because he is a former Beatle.
I have to disagree with you. Beacoups of Blues sounds awful to me - it just sounds dreary and catchy. I much prefer the new album. It sounds much better to me. The songs are better and the musicianship is far more polished.
I don’t think King Of Broken Hearts is either a country song or a disaster 💁♂️ Also although I agree the eps are not good value for money , I think there’s many great tracks on them . I think the new album is terrific . Not sure why dropping in vocal parts is disappointing either 💁♂️
In my opinion, dropped in vocals subtract from authenticity and make a record sound somewhat manufactured (when it's obvious to the listener of course).
@@johnheaton5667have to say listening to the album it’s no more apparent to me than on other albums ( Ringos or many more 💁♂️) Dropping in vocals and instrumental parts in studio recordings are very much part of the process . I’d imagine single take vocals are pretty rare . Certainly is in all the time I’ve been doing it 💁♂️
While on Now And Then they did wonders and with taste and time. Johns vocals are still in his prime, Paul did a great bassline and solo and Ringo nice drums. No song here comes close to Now And Then which is complex with rhythm chances and all.
Musicians/ production is good and the songs in general also. Lyrics are really the weak part and very predictable. Give me one line - then I know the next. The good stories all seem to have been told years as go.
Because anyone or anything related to the Beatles is worshipped. Their fans have put the band on a pedestal. McCartney and Starr know this and capitalise on it.
Thanks for your review! Listened to it once on Spotify,and it is a skip for me too. They actually did some Promo, so it will do fine chartwise, I guess
Lots of opinions. Here's mine. People have to invest time in giving a record a chance. That being said, I also go with the call back. It happened to me pretty quick. I found myself being called back to listen easily. Now after a week of listening, I love this album and can't wait to play it. When I do I can't help but think, " Ringo sounds great!!!!" Love him, proud of him and thankful this album came out.
Molly Tuttle is touring with Ringo! She is amazing!
Yeah, T-Bone Burnett's empathetic production really helps to make this the best Ringo album since the mid 1970s. T-Boone understood Ringo's Country & rootsy-Rock soul. Great insightful presentation.
The Stetson is a real touch John .👌 country music suits Ringos voice and I love this album . 👏
They certainly disguise the old man vocals better on Ringo's recordings than they do with Paul's releases the past 20 years. But all of the world's greatest musicians are not going to create a product worthy of buying when it may produce two songs that are worthy of listening to beyond the present day. No artist is worth searching for a reason to enjoy when there is 50 years of outstanding material by all artists just waiting to be discovered out there. I am having a field day discovering old music that is new to me on TH-cam alone.
Thank god they don't butcher Pauls vocals, when you have good ears you immediately hear the bad production over most of Ringos vocals with Autotune that sound tasteless and cheap. On this album aswell as the last EP thankfully less which I appreciate! Pauls production team is much better, but the listeners of Pauls music are also different. Paul knows his albums will get rated long after his death, thats why they take more time.
I will to give it a listen on Apple Music. I have always enjoyed Ringo’s country songs. Thanks for your review.
Hello john,
Nice presentation and well described.
Best regards from the netherlands
Artistic merit has long since left the station, I won’t be buying but I’m with you, I’m so glad we have him around
With all the anticipation of country album by Ringo it doesn't go all in on the country some of it is the usual Ringo pop stuff, was thinking it would sound like Elvis Costello's Almost Blue album or of course his BoBlues album , but like you said so glad he is still making good music his gift to his fans
Being honest, this was a album was not expecting much from, yet pleasantly surprised.
Main thing the media are actually taking a interest, with probably Vertical Man the last time the media were interested in any Ringo album, also to see it actually charting is a plus and a real shot in the arm for Ringo.
Musically, since Vertical Man, Ringo albums are usually once really good song swamped with bad bland songs…. This album actually has 3/4 really good songs, and would say it’s on a par with anything Paul has put out since Memory Almost Full (his last few albums have been pretty forgettable).
Also good to hear Ringo letting his voice shine, as he has went far to over the top with the autotune in his albums of late that gave his voice a far to electronic feel it it (February Sky probably his best song of recent years because of this)
Great video John! I love the new album and I got to say, I’ve had breathless stuck in my head all week! Love it!
Yeeee Haaawww!!! 🐎 🤠 Give it a few more listen John its a fine album ✌️
You give a hard core critique. I love the new album. Beaucoups of Blues is Ringo's best Country song, but Look Up is a close second. I like Ringo's vocals on Look Up more than Beaucoups of Blues. I would reverse what you have. You have listened to the old album a lot of years, but this Look Up is brand new. Time takes time for the new album to review better, but you are a good evaluator. It seems Ringo gets a bad rap by most record collectors. You are consistent, John. You did admit the musicianship is outstanding and you did admit Ringo's voice is sound. I still feel the songs are strong. Lyrics can make or break an album. Ringo did his best work of lyric and production on Time Takes Time album in my opinion. Rosetta is a strong cut. What an amazing production by T Bone Burnett. It's easy listening. Enjoy while we have Ringo !
OK, now I've got a lot of listening to do. I will say, I like the new album.
I like the Tin Tin art
A relic from the past adorned with various contemporary musicians.
Phhht
Thanks for the honest review John. I haven't and won't buy this album, but I've listened to it on TH-cam. The musicianship is good, Ringo's voice sounds good but the songs are very poor and that's the important thing.
I don't understand why other Beatles fans/reviewers speak so highly of it, are they still under The Beatles spell?
Beaucoups of Blues is a great album
Snookeroo you mention pure Ringo!
Agree and disagree, but overall I feel positively about this album. You Want Some is classic 70s Ringo, it has a playfulness in the vocal and the little ad libs. Thankful is a track I’m actually quite find of. It has the only “peace and love” on the whole album (what a relief!) and found myself listening to it purely for pleasure and not out of obligation for Ringo. Even if he’s done it before, the feeling sounds truly meaningful here and not corny at all. Playing overall is strong and Ringo sounds really good. Auto tune was likely dialed down a lot. Can’t say that for anything he’s done in the last 25 years, which alone made the album actually enjoyable to listen to, but I agree that some songs in the beginning were predictable and cheesy. Overall, glad he made something more than decent to listen to
Hey John, have you had a chance to check out A Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan film)?
You should have kept outfit on for entire video John..great thumbnail..
Is is not pronounced “ bo - coo “ ?
There must be two versions of this album… the version that so many people are praising and the version that I heard. The version I heard is dull with predictable lyrics and no memorable hooks. I am surprised that T Bone Burnett actually wrote such a sorry lot of songs. Given the rich history of country music, Ringo could have recorded an album of great songs that were written by legends, but maybe slipped under the radar at the time. That would have been interesting to hear some deeper tracks by Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Tom T Hall, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, etc.
As much as I love Ringo as a member of the Beatles, I can’t pretend this album is even remotely good.
People will love anything a beatle does. You have to get someone neutral to review a new CD. This is not the same as the 70s.
I think there’s been a bit of an over reaction to this. For me it’s his best since What’s My Name and that’s about it. I am enjoying it and it’s decent but I’d place it slightly below the middle his catalog.
Greetings from a grey Manchester
I'm surprised John didn't fly to Nashville to do the review 😁
I agree John thankful I think is rather juvenile and somewhat predictable
I wasn't aware, Mr. Heaton, that you were a Tintin fan, but based on the background of this video, it looks like you might be... So am I, and here in the States there aren't too many people who have even heard of Herge's character, except through the Spielberg film. In my channel, I have several videos about Tintin, mostly in Spanish (I am a college professor of Spanish), though there are a couple in English as well. Great video, as always, and a very good review of Ringo's new country outing. Greetings from Tennessee!
I, for one, am hoping Heaton will review the Tintin "albums". I'd love to hear which ones he likes and dislikes.
@ Same here. In my channel I have reviewed them all, but in Spanish, and I definitely would love to hear Mr. Heaton's take on Herge's oeuvre.
I don't believe the hype. In 6 months Ringo will have forgotten this album, like with all his recent records, and be back to singing nothing newer than 1974.
I think it’s a fantastic album, as good as anything he did in the 1970s.
From the bits i've heard, Ringo's voice seems auto-tuned to death.
Thank you for your assessment John - well done!
I know BoB very well. There are 3 or 4 good songs and 3 or 4 tolerable songs, but no songs that are really strong. They rushed this project and it shows. Replace the two worst songs with two strong singles and this would have been an album to be proud of.
I wish Ringo the best. He contributed so much to music. But he should have retired 30 years ago. Ringo does not need the money so I will skip another one of his output.
Wau wau! You look so cool, more of this please 🤠😎
I just can't support the use of auto-tune
That's interesting - do you support the use of tape speed correction & manipulation the fabs used in the '60's? Many did not back then!
@@graniterhythm53 I know what you mean but it depends how you use it. With Ringo it mostly sounds cheap and I assume they record fast (faster than Paul). But on this album its thankfully done with more taste.
I don’t think King Of Broken Hearts is either a country song or a disaster 💁♂️
Also although I agree the eps are not good value for money , I think there’s many great tracks on them .
I think the new album is terrific .
I agree with you on the cost of the EPs , but i quite enjoy listening to them actually . There's good songs on everyone , and the new Country album is wonderful.
@@hairmanjeffyes that’s my point entirely . I think the music on the eps are great . I just think he should have waited till he had an albums worth before releasing them .Crooked Boy is especially good . Need someone is a better track than any one on Hackney Diamonds by the Stones .
Thanks John, your review has persuaded me to get it. I'm actually a sucker for Beaucoup of Blues and Sentimental Journey. When Ringo falls into the hands of a great producer (e.g., Richard Perry) the results are superb. He could do (and has done) a lot worse than T-Bone.
What did you hear in this review that would persuade you to get it because what I heard did the opposite for me.
@@shyman99 Well, for me, there were several things. First, he listened to it *8 times*. This is a useful data point. In the past there have been Ringo LPs that, after hearing it once, I would think, I never need to hear this again for the rest of my life (Ringo the 4th, anyone?). But John found this album not only deserved several re-listenings, but was rewarded for his efforts.
Second, he finds the record about 60% as good as Beaucoups of Blues, one of my favorites from Ringo. That would put it into the top 5 or 6 Ringo Starr LPs.
Third, on top of the fact that (at least) half the tracks are worth a re-listen, there is the rather luxurious packaging, making this a better proposition fun-and-entertainment wise.
Finally, John's final conclusion: there's a lot to recommend it, he wouldn't be without it, he's glad Ringo's around and still putting out new material at 84.
I look forward to hearing the record myself.
@@dutchcanuck7550 - Here is what I heard:
1. At 2:45 , after reading off a history of the various country songs Ringo has done throughout the years, he said nothing on this album approaches the quality of those.
2. At 12:15 he says he likes 3 or 4 tracks a lot, & maybe a couple more will grow on him. That's not a solid album.
3. At 12:50, he gives Beaucoups Of Blues a 9 rating and this album a 6. In other words, no comparison.
4. At 13:10, he says that after he listened to it 7 or 8 times, he proceeds to say this album is not as good as virtually anything he did in the 70s. Not sure where you heard him say he was rewarded for his efforts of relistening.
5. His parting comment is "I wouldn't be quite as complimentary as to where this album stands in his entire catalog".
In summary, if you are desperate for a reason to buy this album just for a few good tracks, then it may be worthwhile. But I need to have a more solid overall listening experience and there is so much out there deserving of my money than trying to find a reason to buy an album just because he is a former Beatle.
I have to disagree with you. Beacoups of Blues sounds awful to me - it just sounds dreary and catchy. I much prefer the new album. It sounds much better to me. The songs are better and the musicianship is far more polished.
beaucoups is much better produced, more timeless. You still have that analoge feel that fits country.
I don’t think King Of Broken Hearts is either a country song or a disaster 💁♂️
Also although I agree the eps are not good value for money , I think there’s many great tracks on them .
I think the new album is terrific .
Not sure why dropping in vocal parts is disappointing either 💁♂️
King Of Broken Hearts is a great song, as well as La De Da and Las Brisas is NOT a country song.
In my opinion, dropped in vocals subtract from authenticity and make a record sound somewhat manufactured (when it's obvious to the listener of course).
@@johnheaton5667have to say listening to the album it’s no more apparent to me than on other albums ( Ringos or many more 💁♂️)
Dropping in vocals and instrumental parts in studio recordings are very much part of the process . I’d imagine single take vocals are pretty rare . Certainly is in all the time I’ve been doing it 💁♂️
This album, though surely not bad, is being hyped to a “Now And Then” degree that borderlines on nauseating…
While on Now And Then they did wonders and with taste and time. Johns vocals are still in his prime, Paul did a great bassline and solo and Ringo nice drums. No song here comes close to Now And Then which is complex with rhythm chances and all.
Musicians/ production is good and the songs in general also. Lyrics are really the weak part and very predictable. Give me one line - then I know the next. The good stories all seem to have been told years as go.
I feel you just have an anti Ringo agenda. Love the new album but you are entitled to your opinion. Keep up the good work. Love the channel.
I don’t understand why Beatles fans feel they should buy Ringo albums.
Your understanding is poor
Because anyone or anything related to the Beatles is worshipped. Their fans have put the band on a pedestal. McCartney and Starr know this and capitalise on it.
Thanks for your review! Listened to it once on Spotify,and it is a skip for me too. They actually did some Promo, so it will do fine chartwise, I guess
boo-coos of blues
in french you actually don't say the s
Best Ringo album for sometime John
Ringo probably should have done a covers album of old country standards like John Fogerty did in 1973.