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Liverpool 8


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Ring o Roses
Review date: 2008-04-11 Rating: 8 out of 10

Some artists are so difficult to review and Ringo is certainly one of those. I had a great deal of trouble with Liverpool 8 because of my pre-conceptions that poor old Ringo just cannot sing. On first play I hated this.

Then I began to consider the obvious love that had gone into producing the album and on second and third play began to enjoy it. Strangely it probably reflects on the back life of a Beatle more accurately than anything released as a solo album by the other three members of the Fab Four. Of course that doesn't mean that it's a good album but Ringo has
had a damn good try. There's a mix of up tempo numbers and ballads and passing references to Harry Nilsson and the other Beatles and much more. And of course at the heart of it all is Liverpool - which somehow has been named the 2008 European City of Culture. It is undeniably true that Liverpool has a greater heart than any other English City.

So where does Ringo fall into all of this? The title track looks back at his past and its opening from a lyrical point of view is excessively corny. Poor old Ringo seems to insist on rhyming everything so we have his mate Rory rhyming with Factory.

Interestingly the lyrics did make me google Madryn Street in Toxteth where Ringo was born. There are plans afoot to pull the street with its typical Coronation Street style houses down. Quite rightly there is a strong lobby of heritage supporters attempting to at least save Ringo's former home at number nine. I hope they succeed. It is all too easy to rip up the past without giving a thought to the affect it can have. Apart from the poetry Liverpool 8 is a strangely decent song even if at one point we do get the words "We were number one and it was fun (yuck).

The best song on the album is "Love Is" which is actually a beautiful piece. Elsewhere there's a touch of bluegrass, even some hickory gospel. It really is a huge mixed bag, but still decent enough to warrant consideration despite the usual embarrassing moments. And as Ringo says in the title track "Liverpool I left you, but I never let you down."

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Reviews


Good, catchy relaxing album.
Review date: 2008-01-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

I am not a huge fan of Ringo as such, I am a Beatles fan- well who isn't lol. Anyway I do have his album 'Ringo' which is very good and I decided to give this new album a go and wasn't found wanting. It is a very good album; the title track is a nice song, very catchy. His album has been instrumented very well, the songs are all good. Its an album to listen to when you want to relax and that, its very easy listening. 'Pasadobles' is an interesting song as it features spanish guitar, I would say it is the best track on the album in my opinion. So if you are thinking about buying this go for it, you won't be sorry if you like catchy beats, relaxing instrumentals some kind of rocky but it only adds to the album.

Rock on Ringo, Peace and Love.

Ringo is a STARR
Review date: 2008-01-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

Im glad to see the previous reviews on here saying good things about Ringo and this Album, Its a Shame he dont really get the credit he deserves, I beleive hes a very underated artist.
His songs are always catchy and Simple, and he sings from the Heart
I Have all Ringos Cds and Pleased to have this Latest one in my collection, On the first Listen, its really good, Ringo Starr is a Living Legend and Still selling music after 40 years, How many of todays artists will be saying that 40 years from now? Not many if any i bet.
Thank you Ringo V

Ringo's new album in five years is a lovable tribute to the Beatles. "And you know that can't be bad!"
Review date: 2008-01-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

Ringo Starr was always loved as the most good-natured of the [former] Beatles. On his own, The Fab Four drummer - and occasional singer - had to lead a long fight before establishing some credibility for his musical endeavours. Even then, his body of work has somewhat been lessened by the prominent role afforded to his famous musical friends, including the other three Beatles. For these reasons, many people regard him solely as a singles artist.

This opinion is, indeed, largely reflected in the contents of the expanded and remastered version of excellent his "Photograph: the Best of Ringo Starr" compilation. On the other hand, his numerous, star-studded "live" albums also present him as a touring veteran.

I am under the impression that, in order to vindicate this image, he has enrolled the considerable talents of Dave Stewart - of Eurythmics fame - to act as his producer and provide the album with some smooth finishing. Stewart's help proves very useful, particularly as "Liverpool 8", his homecoming to EMI, is also Ringo's first major-label album in five years.

The ensuing "Liverpool 8" album celebrates everything Ringo and can be described as his most consistent solo album to date. It is a nostalgic trip down Ringo's past life and performances. Hints to his native Liverpool and to his past hits are on frequent display. Shades of "Strawberry Fields" indeed!

The album features well-written melodies, witty lyrics that emphasize his commitments to the Sixties ideal of love and peace. Also harking back to the same past are the "psychedelic" effects interspersed into the mix. The whole, effectively and unsurprisingly, echoes the Beatles's music.
Add to this Ringo's casual, honest and to the point delivery and you end up with a very relaxed set of ear-grabbing melodies that, in itself, is a tribute to the Fab Four. As they say: "And you know that can't be bad!"

Those who already love Ringo, as I do, will be delighted. However, it remains to be seen if the marketing push will bring back the commercial success of the past at a time when the baby-boomers have long stopped to dominate the market.


Thank God for Ringo
Review date: 2008-01-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

For his new album Ringo takes on board ex Eurhythmic and solo star Dave Stewart but I was pleased to note Mark Hudson is still there as he was responsible for some of his finest work.
Its going to be so damned easy for a rock critic to trash this album because its so NORMAL.Songs which are in the same tradition as the Beatles-songs which don't sound anything like the current darlings of the Rock Press (Radiohead etc) and once more the critics will parade out a list of Ringo failures.
This time round there's no special guests and no covers but Ringo writes with up to 4 others.It won't sell of course because we live in strange times when bands can become overnight stars via downloading.
Liverpool 8 follows the same tradition as the other 3 Beatles did-the nostalgia trail- while the last song is like a Gospel one of the "life's railway to Heaven" kind.
Ringo may be well in his 60s but doesn't sound any different to when he ssng With a little help from my friends

Product Details/Specifications


Artist(s):
Ringo Starr

Recording label: EMI
Manufacturer: EMI
EAN: 5099951738822
Binding: Audio CD
Release date: 2008-01-14
Number of discs: 1

Disc 1 Tracks:
1. Liverpool 8
2. Think About You
3. For Love
4. Now That She's Gone Away
5. Gone Are The Days
6. Give It A Try
7. Tuff Love
8. Harry's Song
9. Pasodobles
10. If It's Love That You Want
11. Love Is
12. R U Ready?

Publishers: EMI

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