Ringo's second album was a country album. Unlike every other country album recorded by a rock star, this album doesn't feature any cover versions of classic country songs. Instead, a batch of original songs were written for Ringo by some top country songwriters. Ringo traveled to Nashville and recorded the album with top Nashville session musicians. The album ended up sounding pretty much like a typical country album from 1970. Except sung by Ringo Starr. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's a decent enough album, if you are into this sort of thing. The CD features two bonus tracks. "Coochy Coochy" was the b-side of "Beaucoups of Blues". I guess it was left off the album because it's not really a country song. "Nashville Jam" is a jam session, obviously. This album isn't for everybody, but if you are a Beatles fan that also enjoys country music, you will probably like it.
ingo always loved country music. Liberated to try a variety of musical styles with the break up of The Beatles, Ringo was, surprisingly, the most eclectic of the Fabs tackling an album of standards (way before it became fashionable) with Sentimental Journeyand an authentic country album recorded in the heart of Nashville. Ringo's best album is still Ringo along with Goodnight Vienna, Time Takes Timebut this is a strong contender.
"Beacoups of Blues" took awhile for me to get used to because I expected, well, Beatlesque music. It's a strong album covering a variety of songs solicited for the album ("Without Her" isn't the Nilsson song by the way--I mention that because Nilsson did write material for Ringo later)and the titles could easily confuse one. The CD reissue features Ringo's b-side to the single "Beacoups of Blues" entitled "Coohy Coohy" and "Nashville Jam" which is exactly that running a little over six minutes.
Ringo receives stellar support from pedal steel player Pete Drake, D. J. Fontana on drums, Jerry Reed on guitar and The Jordanaires among others. The 1995 CD reissue sounds pretty good and, although it wasn't all that successful when released (it only reached # 65 on the Billboard charts), the stature of the album has grown with time due to Ringo's natural affinity for country music, the strong originals and stellar playing.
As long as you realize this isn't a Rock 'n' Roll album and are prepared for a journey down a country road, you'll enjoy the album.
ingo always loved country music. Liberated to try a variety of musical styles with the break up of The Beatles, Ringo was, surprisingly, the most eclectic of the Fabs tackling an album of standards (way before it became fashionable) with Sentimental Journeyand an authentic country album recorded in the heart of Nashville. Ringo's best album is still Ringo along with Goodnight Vienna, Time Takes Timebut this is a strong contender.
"Beacoups of Blues" took awhile for me to get used to because I expected, well, Beatlesque music. It's a strong album covering a variety of songs solicited for the album ("Without Her" isn't the Nilsson song by the way--I mention that because Nilsson did write material for Ringo later)and the titles could easily confuse one. The CD reissue features Ringo's b-side to the single "Beacoups of Blues" entitled "Coohy Coohy" and "Nashville Jam" which is exactly that running a little over six minutes.
Ringo receives stellar support from pedal steel player Pete Drake, D. J. Fontana on drums, Jerry Reed on guitar and The Jordanaires among others. The 1995 CD reissue sounds pretty good and, although it wasn't all that successful when released (it only reached # 65 on the Billboard charts), the stature of the album has grown with time due to Ringo's natural affinity for country music, the strong originals and stellar playing.
As long as you realize this isn't a Rock 'n' Roll album and are prepared for a journey down a country road, you'll enjoy the album.
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