Beaucoups Of Blues (1970)
C’mon… it’s Ringo!
When’s the last time you listened to Ringo Starr’s second solo album? If you’re like most, it was in 1970/1971, around the time of its release. You remember yourself back then, don’t you? When you were still a Beatles fanatic? So much so that you were buying their drummer’s country album… in some misguided, last-ditch attempt to savor one final sliver of “mania,” all because the band you worshipped as a kid up-and abandoned you (just like dad did…. but we won’t go there). Yeah, you remember. Back when you had zero appreciation for country music and little tolerance for things you couldn’t possibly imagine enjoying. You probably listened to Beaucoups Of Blues a couple of years later, too – after you got sidetracked by Wings, Lennon’s shenanigans and Harrison’s rising star – only to find out Ringo’s vocals hadn’t changed a bit. Well… maybe four decades will help the process. Now that you’re hipper to the stoic professionalism of the Nashville session scene, and the timelessness of some of the genre’s material, you’ll be able to better digest and appreciate BOB. Maybe. Because the problem certainly couldn’t have been lovable Ringo. You knew he couldn’t sing before you bought the damned thing in the first place (and besides… you had already heard Sentimental Journey, so the onus is squarely on you). So, have you grown enough as a connoisseur of the arts to dare taking another crack at a warbling skinman’s search for identity? Do you feel lucky, punk? Well… do ya? If you see the light – or if that collecting monkey on your back is itchin’ for those bonus tracks – here it is. [Why the session's best tune was relegated to a lowly b-side, and the cool unreleased jam was unreleased, is beyond me.] C’mon… it’s Ringo, for cryin’ out loud. And it now only costs about twice what it did in 1970 at Amazon.
Beaucoups Of Blues (2:37)
Love Don’t Last Long (2:47)
Fastest Growing Heartache In The West (2:37)
Without Her (2:38)
Woman Of The Night (2:25)
I’d Be Talking All The Time (2:13)
15 Draw (3:31)
Wine, Women And Loud Happy Songs (2:21)
I Wouldn’t Have You Any Other Way (3:00)
Loser’s Lounge (2:25)
Waiting (2:58)
Silent Homecoming (3:58)
Coochy Coochy (4:48) – B-Side Bonus Track
Nashville Jam (6:40) – Previously Unreleased Bonus Track
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Excellent appraisal of ‘why’ we bought it at the time. And yes, our appraisal of country, now viewed through a lens of The Byrds, Burrito Bros, Gram, Emmylou and so on means we can hear it with fresh ears. I have listened to this occasionally since 1970 and grow fonder of it with each listen.
For those interested in ‘the roots of The Beatles’, incidentally, some of it is here, and we can look back and see that George Harrison’s Chet Atkins-isms are there for all to hear away back in ’63, ’64, Ringo cheerfully wailing through ‘Act Naturally’ in ’65, etc.
Liverpool, like Glasgow and Belfast (Van Morrison who was another who revisited his country-ish influence with his Gail Lewis duet album) was a big country and western town, influencing their musicians as much as R&B, a fact often overlooked.
It might be interesting for people to hear Ringo’s first album, ‘Sentimental Journey’, featuring songs he recalled from his youth and ‘did for his Mum’. Pretty much pre-dating McCartney’s similar exercise, ‘Kisses on the Bottom’, by a good 40 years, done with as much youthful charm as McCartney’s effort sounds (to my ears) laboured.
“Laboured” is the right word for Kisses (even if we Yanks might quibble about the spelling). It should also be noted that Ringo was the first “rocker” to take on the standards. Nilsson was celebrated for his take in 1973, but it was Ringo that was ahead of his time, especially considering all those that have resorted to the practice since then. Frankly, I think it took some balls for Ringo to record and release music he liked, regardless of the commercial potential. Of course, his first rock album, with producer Richard Perry (& a little help from his friends) was a resounding success. What’s not to love about Ringo?
Ringo is the best karaoke singer ever. He doesn’t always hit his note, but somehow manages to nail the song despite his limitations. Thanks for the bonus tracks.
It’s Ringo, for cryin’ out loud!
Well, I’d take issue with the best karaoke singer comment when we hear some of today’s pop stars, auto-tuned to the fringes of the audio spectrum. By contrast, ol’ Richie is at least there, or thereabouts, without much in the way of electronics to save him. And he has a personality. And he’s a quite remarkable, unparalleled in many ways, and swinging drummer. Odd to think that some of the doubts about him were as a result of being able to inject some swing, and therefore push/pull the songs around a bit, rather than be a consistent beat, as compared to metronomic session drummers such as Clem Cattini and, er, Andy White.
Lennon’s rhythm guitar, when ‘rhythm guitar’ was a trade, is also greatly overlooked as a source of swing and pushing/pulling the sound around (particularly when allied to Lennon’s famously inconsistent time keeping). The rise of the ‘power trio’ saw the decline in the ‘rhythm guitarist’, suddenly everyone wanted to be the axe-hero, and I still hanker for the classic four-piece including a rhythm guitarist who knows he’s every bit as important as the fella playing the solos. Stand up and take a bow, Bruce Welch of The Shadows.
I hadn’t thought much about the death of the rhythm guitar, but you’re right. As for Lennon, he was the first time I really noticed the power and importance of a rhythm guitar. I’ve especially loved when he did rhythm “leads” instead of a solo (like in “The End”). As for Ringo, I’ve argued many times that it was his drumming that made the band so resilient to over indulgence during the psychedelic years. When everyone (including The Beatles) were trying to get as far out as they could during those years of rank experimentation, Ringo always stayed with the beat. One of the reasons “I Am The Walrus” is so fascinating. All that noise and madness going on, and Ringo is keeping it grounded and real. It’s funny how today, a tune like that almost has a modern beats/remix feel to it. A steady beat with the kitchen sink on top of it. Despite his accolades as a drummer, he’s never really gotten his due because his brilliance is in his simplicity… and his personality… and the subtle nuance he brings to the table.
I meant “best karaoke singer” to be interpreted with a wink and a smile. Ringo is a great musician and one of my favorite drummers. In the context of this album, recording country standards (mostly) with the Nashville cats, it was similar to karaoke (although about a decade before karaoke was known in the western world).
I agree with you about the cadre of autotuned performers that seem to be increasing in number daily. I’d rather hear Ringo, a real artist, instead of someone who has had all the humanity electronically scrubbed away from their performance. Ringo with autotune is unimaginable.
“Ringo with autotune is unimaginable.”
But, it would be funny to hear.
Your comment gave me the idea to look for the previously unimaginable. Here is Ringo with autotune. http://youtu.be/sJiiU4tnA6o If you dare…
Willard,
I bought this way back when on vinyl and can count the times I’ve listened to it on one hand, I have come close to buying the CD several times but always pulled back at the last minute. But here and now I vow to download and listen to it from start to finish. And thanks for the bonus tracks as I’m sure they will help.
Love
Newman
Willy, you have intruiged me concerning the 2 bouns trax.
I finally went to see ol’ Ring last year… ‘Twas glad I did. Heard some songs performed live that I never had before & never will again.
Thanx…………………….
I kinda wouldn’t mind seeing him, though I have no interest another big McCartney extravaganza. I used to use Ringo as a counter argument when it came to others who might dis certain “singers.” If you’re watching TV (or at a concert) and Ringo happens to amble out and sing a tune, you’re not going to judge him as a performer or vocalist like you would someone else. You’re just glad to see him. Happy to hear him warble a familiar tune. Kinda like seeing some ancient actor who’s 90, and can still do a soft shoe shuffle for the crowd. You don’t judge the dance, you judge the warmth of the person doing it (and the fond memories they conjure up). That’s a pretty unique place to be as an entertainer, and Ringo’s had that going for him for decades (long before he cracked 70). He probably had it going for him when this album was first released.
I saw Ringo on a talk show not long ago (Letterman?) and the host pointed out that people just love him, to which Ringo responded, if I recall aright, “Well, I’m lovable.”
Well, he is, isn’t he?
“Silent Homecoming” came up on shuffle a couple of weeks ago, and blew my mind.
Isn’t he? Talk about a guy with nothing but goodwill under his belt.
Siempre es alentador escuchar a Ringo.Gracias por el Post.Saludos desde Oaxaca,Mex.
Muchas gracias.
Pete, wasnt that the nite he was on Craig Ferguson, and Craig also said ‘You’ve gotta play us another song!’ Ringo’s reply was ‘No Craig, I dont HAVE to do anything!’…but he did!
Still have the vinyl…believe it or not, I’ve prob’ly listened to this album more than a lot of others who bought it…My brother and I bought a copy for our dad who was a huge country fan and actually liked the Beatles (well up until Revolver anyway). Also my old roommate had a penchant for listening to this and Sentimental Journey after coming home drunk and having not scored any lady who would want to accompany his drunken sorry ass home (or mine for that matter). And he owned the house so I didnt get much say in the matter…although the vinyl was mine!
Thanx W!!
Funny.
Yup, I think that was the one. Thanks, KD. And, of course, he doesn’t have to do anything, ever.
He sings as good as anyone in The Grateful Dead. You’re right, I hear this a lot different now. It’s better than “Burrito Deluxe”.
And who didn’t love “Act naturally”?
Muddy… that auto-tuned Ringo seems to have a reversed effect on his vocals. We’re so used to his pitch variation, he sounds OUT of tune. Ringo’s auto-un-tunable.
Lovely! And his drumming wouldn’t be helped by a metronome either.
I think you meant to write “onus” (meaning “burden”) instead of “owness” (which I don’t believe is a real word). Otherwise, great blurb!
Thanks for the catch. Ownness IS actually a word, but not the one I wanted to use anyway. Of course, I often use my memory, too, but we see where that gets us.
Yeah, I was guilty of having Sentimental Journey already and got this AND the 45 with Coochy Coochy Coo which WAS the best song of the session. I think if Ringo had done an LP of Classic Country covers in the same way he treated Sentimental Journey as a labor of love, it might have faired better.
However, doing an LP comprised of tunes by unknown singer-songwriter Sorrells Pickard (who later got signed to Decca and did one LP purely on the strength of penning the tunes to this LP then disappeared as many did signed to Decca/MCA at the time…it was a joke to many of us in the retail end how many poor selling and promoted LPs came out on Decca…it was a wonder The WHO survived on Decca, but at least they sold) may have been a nice gesture to a new friend but didn’t win Ringo many new fans for the effort. If I ever knew why he chose Pickard’s material and hoiw it came to pass, I’ve long since forgotten.
I evenb picked this up on CD when it came out expanded purely for having Coochy Coochy Co on it and the extra jam is HARDLY worth it….BUT it was Ringo and I LOVED his solo pop 45s previously and the NEXT Ringo LP to death! So there was always the chance, you hoped it would be good.
I finally picked up “Sentimental Journey” when a Cambridge, MA used music shop was closing and selling most of its stock for $1. If I had heard it back when it first came out, I am sure I would have thought ti crap. But since then, having primarily been trained on that music by the great “The Singing Detective” British TV show, I actually found Ringo’s takes charming and enjoyable.
As for Beaucoup, I really don’t like the production “style”.
Ace K.
Remember a few years ago when “lovable” Ringo made the announcement that he would no longer be signing autographs for fans? That raised quite a rorystorm online, as I recall!
I suppose the real question is why he felt the need to make a formal announcement on the matter in the first place!
— mnw
(I d/led Boocooze O’Blooze awhile back when I was on a “weird themed Beatle comps” jag — it’s only so-so, but it sure comes in handy when trying to assemble a “Western Gear” disc, since by the time you include Sally G., Country Dreamer, Two Of Us, Act Naturally, Send Me The Heart, Sure To Fall, Behind That Locked Door, Don’t Pass Me By, Rocky Raccoon, Sail Away Raymond, Long Lost John, Hey Diddle, One After 909, Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp, Crippled Inside… well, clearly you’re already pushing the envelope pretty far!
It’s been too long since I heard this to have an opinion, but the decision to go to Nashville to record it with real country musicians speaks well for the thinking behind the project.
Thanks, Willard.
nice blog wormhole!
Everyone who could encourage Ringo to sing some standards or country tunes is a genius. Funny thing is the album is worth to give it a try.
File under: Golden Throats (hey Rhino Records where’s another volume of that incredible stuff?)
PS. Your blog is great! I would like to thank you for your work!
Thanks.
Thanks very much for this. I’ve been listening to the Beatles for 33 of my 43 years, since December 1980 to be precise, and I have never heard Ringo’s first 3 albums. It’s amazing to me that this can still be the case.
It sounds good so far. Ringo actually has a lovely mellow F0 (F-zero or ground tone).
Rob
Cool. I know what you mean. I’m a film buff, and Ive never seen Gone With The Wind. Inexcusable, really.
Thanks for this post. I have the 7 Ringo vinyl albums from RINGO through OLD WAVE. GOODNIGHT VIENNA holds a special place in my heart. But this and SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY were just lost on my for the longest time. And this past week I listened to the new Clapton album of (mostly) standards and thought, well, Ringo did this a really long time ago…