Ringo (album)

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Ringo
Studio album by Ringo Starr
Released 2 November 1973 (US)
23 November 1973 (UK)
Recorded 5 March–26 July 1973,
A&M Studios, Burbank Studios, The Sound Lab, Sunset Sound Recorders, Producers' Workshop, Los Angeles;
Apple Studios, Abbey Road Studios, London
Genre Rock
Length 37:07
Label Apple
Producer Richard Perry
Ringo Starr chronology

Beaucoups of Blues
(1970)		 Ringo
(1973)		 Goodnight Vienna
(1974)
Singles from Ringo
  1. "Photograph"
    Released: 24 September 1973 (US); 19 October 1973 (UK)
  2. "You're Sixteen"
    Released: 3 December 1973 (US); 8 February 1974 (UK)
  3. "Oh My My"
    Released: 18 February 1974 (US only)

Ringo is the third album by Ringo Starr, released in 1973 on Apple Records. It peaked at number 7 on the UK Albums Chart and number 2 on the Billboard 200, and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. In Canada, it reached number 1 on the RPM national albums chart. The album is noted for the appearance of all four Beatles, and for its numerous guest stars, something which would become a signature for Starr on many of his future albums and tours.

Background

After releasing the standards tribute Sentimental Journey and the country and western Beaucoups of Blues, both in 1970, Starr would only record and release a couple of singles in the interim, namely "It Don't Come Easy" in 1971 and "Back Off Boogaloo" in 1972.[10] On 15 May 1971, while on a sailing holiday with his wife Maureen, fellow Beatle George Harrison and his wife Pattie Boyd, and Cilla Black, Starr wrote "Photograph" with input from the others.[6] While both were big successes and would have ordinarily inspired albums to support them, Starr declined to follow through, preferring to concentrate on acting during this period.[11] In early 1973, Starr decided the time was right to begin—in his mind—his first proper solo album, despite its two predecessors. Having already used Richard Perry to arrange one of the tracks on Sentimental Journey, Starr asked Perry to produce the sessions.[12]

Recording

Recording started in March 1973[13] on the 5th, as soon as Starr had shown up in Los Angeles,[14] at Sunset Sound Recorders.[6][15] Sessions were produced by Richard Perry.[14] When Starr sent word to all his musician friends to help him in his new venture, they all responded positively. Taking part in the sessions were Marc Bolan, members of The Band,[12] Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Nicky Hopkins, Harry Nilsson and Jim Keltner.[6] Additionally, all three of his former bandmates appeared on and composed material for Ringo.[13] "Photograph" was first recorded in late 1972 between George Harrison (who also produced this session) and Starr during sessions for Harrison's Living in the Material World album.[16] The song was remade five months later, produced this time by Perry for its appearance on Ringo.[16] While they were both sharing a living space in Los Angeles, Harrison and Mal Evans wrote "You and Me (Babe)" after Evans requested for Harrison to add music to a song he was working on.[16]

Just like that; no planning. The three ex-Beatles recorded one of John's songs. Everyone in the room was just gleaming... it's such a universal gleam with The Beatles.[6]

– Richard Perry, recalling the session for "I'm the Greatest"

Harrison dropped by on the sessions on 10 March, to see what kind of material Starr had recorded up to that point.[6][15] Harrison was impressed with the material: "I'm knocked out by what you've done".[6] Announcing that he would return a couple of days later, and on 12 March he laid down backing vocals.[6][15] Starr, John Lennon and Harrison appear together on the Lennon-penned song "I'm the Greatest",[10] which was also recorded on 12 March.[nb 1][6][17] 10 takes of the song were recorded in a session totaling a length of approximately 18 minutes.[6] Both Lennon and Harrison were in Los Angeles for separate business matters with Capitol Records.[14] Lennon returned to New York on 14 March.[6]

Three days later, on 17 March, British music magazine Melody Maker reported the session to be a Beatles reunion: "Rumours flashed through Los Angeles this week that three of the Beatles have teamed up for recording purposes. John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are all in Los Angeles with Klaus Voormann, the bassist rumoured to replace Paul McCartney after his departure from the group."[15] Also recorded during this month was Randy Newman's "Have You Seen My Baby?";[nb 2] it features overdubbed guitar by Bolan which was added at A&M Studios.[1] This group of sessions lasted until 27 March.[6] The next day, Starr and Perry fly to England.[6] More work on the tracks was done at Burbank Studios, The Sound Lab, and Producers' Workshop.[6] On 16 April,[15] goes to Apple Studios, in London, to record "Six O'Clock", with Paul McCartney[18] and his wife Linda,[6] as McCartney couldn't enter the US due to drug arrests.[17] McCartney played synthesizer and piano, and sang backing vocals on the track.[12][19]

After finishing "Six O'Clock", Starr requested his chauffeur to buy some tap dancing shoes, which Starr would use on "Step Lightly".[6] Also in London, Starr with Nilsson recorded "You're Sixteen" and "Step Lightly",[17] the former of which McCartney also appears on.[6] This second block of recording sessions lasted until 30 April, from then on, overdubs were added at Sunset Sound Recorders throughout July.[6] The album was mixed at Sunset Sound Recorders on 24 July.[6][15] The experience of making Ringo was an enjoyable one for Starr and all involved.[19]

Release

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [20]
Robert Christgau B–[21]
MusicHound [22]
Rolling Stone (favourable) [23]

According to a report in Billboard magazine in late September 1973, Ringo's release was delayed while work was being completed on the album artwork.[24] On 24 September, "Photograph" was released as the album's lead single in the US, backed by "Down and Out".[15] Starr filmed a promo clip for the song at his Tittenhurst Park residence, although the film's only screening was on a single episode of BBC TV's Top of the Pops.[6] The single was issued a month later in the UK, on 19 October.[25]

Apple Records released Ringo on 2 November in the US,[nb 3] and on 9 November in the UK.[nb 4] Helped by the international success of "Photograph",[26] and speculation regarding the former Beatles working together on the same project,[27] the album reached number 1 in Canada,[28] number 7 in the UK,[29] and number 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, denied the top position by Elton John's blockbuster Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.[30] Ringo peaked at number 1 on America's other albums charts, however,[31] in Cashbox and Record World.[32] The album was certified gold in America on 8 November and in Britain a month after its release there.[25]

"You're Sixteen" was released as a second single, backed with "Devil Woman", in the US on 3 December.[25] In late December, on the 28th, "Photograph" went gold in the US.[25] "You're Sixteen" acquired gold status in the US on 31 January 1974,[6] and was released in the UK on 8 February,[25] reaching number 4.[6] In the US, the singles from Ringo "Photograph" and Starr's cover of "You're Sixteen" both went to number 1.[33] On 18 February, "Oh My My" was released as a single only in the US, backed with "Step Lightly".[nb 5][25] After the singles became hits, Lennon sent Starr a telegram: "Congratulations. How dare you? And please write me a hit song."[12]

The original cassette tape and 8-track versions of the album, as well as a small number of early promotional copies of the vinyl album, contained a longer version of "Six O'Clock".[19] All of the stock copies of vinyl version of the LP, including both the original pressing and the 1981 LP re-release of the album, as well as reissues in various other formats over time, contained the shorter version of the song.[34][35] The record label on the original stock pressing of the vinyl album incorrectly lists the running time of "Six O'Clock" as 5:26, which may have led some to mistakenly assume that the original pressing contained the long version of the song. The label on the reissued vinyl album correctly lists the running time as 4:06.[36][37] At the time of release, various reviews and press articles of the day stated that the longer version was "snuck" onto the tape duplicating masters at the last moment. Artwork for a quadrophonic version was produced, but was never released.[38]

An instrumental version of the album was produced by David Hentschel and titled Sta*rtling Music.[2] Sta*rtling Music was the first release on Starr's label, Ringo O'; released on 18 April 1975 in the UK,[nb 6] and four years later on 17 February 1979 in the US.[nb 7][2] Just prior to the album was a single, "Oh My My", backed with "Devil Woman", released on 17 February 1975 in the US,[nb 8] and on 21 March in the UK.[nb 9][2] The album, was re-released in the US on Capitol in October 1980.[nb 10][4] A budget edition was released in the UK on 27 November by Music for Pleasure.[nb 11][4] When Ringo was reissued for compact disc, the three bonus tracks included on it were all from singles: Starr's 1971 hit single "It Don't Come Easy" and its B-side "Early 1970", as well as the B-side to "Photograph", "Down and Out".[3] The CD was released in the UK on 4 March 1991,[nb 12] and in the US by Capitol on 6 May.[nb 13][3] On the CD, "You and Me (Babe)" begins crossfaded over the end of "Devil Woman," even though the original album had these songs separated by silence. The longer version of "Six O'Clock" was oddly not added as a bonus track to the reissue of this album, but rather to the reissue of Goodnight Vienna.[19]

Track listing and personnel

Side one
  1. "I'm the Greatest" (John Lennon) – 3:21
  2. "Have You Seen My Baby" (Randy Newman) – 3:44
  3. "Photograph" (George Harrison, Starkey) – 3:56
  4. "Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)" (Harrison) – 2:45
  5. "You're Sixteen" (Bob Sherman/Dick Sherman) – 2:48
Side two
  1. "Oh My My" (Poncia/Starkey) – 4:16
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums; Poncia – harmony vocal; Calvert – guitar; Preston – piano, organ; Voormann – bass; Keltner – drums; Scott – saxophone solo, arrangements; Jim Horn – arrangements; Martha Reeves, Merry Clayton – backing vocals
  2. "Step Lightly" (Starkey) – 3:15
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums; Steve Cropper – electric guitar; Calvert – acoustic guitar; Hopkins – electric piano; Voormann– bass; Scott – clarinet arrangement
    • Features the tapdancing of 'Richard Starkey, M.B.E.'
  3. "Six O'Clock" (P. McCartney/L. McCartney)[39] – 4:06
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums; P. McCartney – piano, synthesizer, string and flute arrangements, backing vocal; Poncia – guitar, percussion; Voormann – bass; L. McCartney – backing vocal
  4. "Devil Woman" (Poncia/Starkey) – 3:50
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums; Calvert – guitar; Tom Hensley – piano; Voormann – bass, backing vocal; Keltner – drums; Chuck Finley, Scott – horns; Richard Perry – backing vocal
  5. "You and Me (Babe)" (Harrison/Mal Evans) – 4:59
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums; Harrison – electric guitar; Poncia – acoustic guitar; Hopkins – electric piano; Holland – marimba; Scott – horn arrangements; Nitzsche – string arrangements
1991 reissue bonus tracks
  1. "It Don't Come Easy" (Starkey) - 3:02
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums; Harrison – electric guitars; Stephen Stills – piano; Voormann – bass; Pete Ham, Tom Evans – backing vocals; Ron Cattermole – horns
    • Originally released as a single in 1971
  2. "Early 1970" (Starkey) - 2:20
    • Starr – lead vocal, drums, acoustic guitar, piano; Harrison – electric guitars, bass, backing vocal
    • Originally released as the B-side to "It Don't Come Easy" in 1971
  3. "Down and Out" (Starkey) - 3:04
    • Probable line-up: Starr – lead vocal, drums; Harrison – electric guitar; Gary Wright – piano; Voormann – bass; unknown horns
    • Originally released as the B-side to "Photograph" in 1973

Charts

Chart positions

Chart (1973–74) Position
Australian Kent Music Report[40] 2
Canadian RPM Albums Chart[28] 1
Dutch Mega Albums Chart[41] 7
Italian Albums Chart[42] 2
Japanese Oricon Weekly LP Chart[43] 10
Norwegian Albums Chart[44] 5
Spanish Albums Chart[45] 2
Swedish Albums Chart[46] 1
UK Albums Chart[29] 7
US Billboard 200[47] 2
West German Media Control Albums Chart [48] 28

Year-end charts

Chart (1974) Position
Australian Albums Chart[40] 15
Canadian Albums Chart[49] 77
Italian Albums Chart[42] 15
US Billboard Year-End[50] 30

Certifications

Region Certification
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Gold
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Lennon previously recorded a demo of the song on 28 December 1970, after watching a repeat of the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night film,[6] with the intent of recording the track himself.[7]
  2. ↑ The track is sometimes titled as "Hold On".[1]
  3. ↑ US Apple SWAL-3413[9]
  4. ↑ UK Apple PCTC 252[5]
  5. ↑ US Apple 1872[8]
  6. ↑ UK Ringo O' 2320-101[2]
  7. ↑ US Ringo O' ST 11372[2]
  8. ↑ US Ringo O' 4030[2]
  9. ↑ UK Ringo O' 2017-101[2]
  10. ↑ US Capitol SN-16114[4]
  11. ↑ UK Music for Pleasure MFP 50508[4]
  12. ↑ UK Parlophone CDP 7 95884 2[5]
  13. ↑ US Capitol CDP 795637[3]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 213. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 214. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 141. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 281. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 184. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 Miles, Barry; Badman, Keith, ed. (2001). The Beatles Diary After the Break-Up: 1970-2001 (reprint ed.). London: Music Sales Group. ISBN 9780711983076. 
  7. ↑ Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 222. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  8. ↑ Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 260. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  9. ↑ Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 185. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Schaffner, Nicholas (1980). The Boys from Liverpool: John, Paul, George, Ringo (1st ed. ed.). New York: Methuen. p. 164. ISBN 9780416306613. 
  11. ↑ Schaffner, Nicholas (1980). The Boys from Liverpool: John, Paul, George, Ringo (1st ed. ed.). New York: Methuen. pp. 162, 164. ISBN 9780416306613. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Schaffner, Nicholas (1980). The Boys from Liverpool: John, Paul, George, Ringo (1st ed. ed.). New York: Methuen. p. 165. ISBN 9780416306613. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 34. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 139. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 118. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 35. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 140. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  18. ↑ Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. pp. 35–36. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 36. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  20. ↑ Ringo (album) at AllMusic
  21. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews: Ringo Starr". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014. 
  22. ↑ Gary Graff & Daniel Durcholz (eds), MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, Visible Ink Press (Farmington Hills, MI, 1999; ISBN 1-57859-061-2), p. 1082.
  23. ↑ Gerson, Ben (20 December 1973). "Ringo Starr: Ringo : Music Reviews". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2013. 
  24. ↑ "Inside Track". Billboard. 29 September 1973. p. 66. Retrieved 31 January 2014. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 119. ISBN 9780753508435. 
  26. ↑ Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980. Milwaukee, WI: Backbeat Books. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-4165-9093-4. 
  27. ↑ Schaffner, Nicholas (1978). The Beatles Forever. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. p. 161. ISBN 0-07-055087-5. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2012-02-12
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Chart Stats Ringo Starr - Ringo" (PHP). The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  30. ↑ Sharon Mawer. "US number two albums". Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009. 
  31. ↑ Spizer, Bruce (2005). The Beatles Solo on Apple Records. New Orleans, LA: 498 Productions. p. 305. ISBN 0-9662649-5-9. 
  32. ↑ "Billboard, CASHBOX & Record World ��1 ALBUMS(1973年)". Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009. 
  33. ↑ Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. pp. 34, 262. ISBN 9780879309688. 
  34. ↑ Harry Castleman & Walter J. Podrazik, All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961-1975 (New York: Ballantine Books, 1975), 268
  35. ↑ Perry Cox & Joe Lindsay, The Official Price Guide to The Beatles Records and Memorabilia (New York: House of Collectibles, 1995), 235.
  36. ↑ Harry Castleman & Walter J. Podrazik, All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961-1975 (New York: Ballantine Books, 1975), 268;
  37. ↑ Labels on Apple Records SWAL 3413 & Capitol Records SN-16114.
  38. ↑ "QuadraphonicQuad Beatles Surround Music Releases". Quadraphonicquad.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012. 
  39. ↑ Search and license music now "　MPL Music Publishing Inc.". mplsommunications.com. MPL Communications. Retrieved 13 March 2013.  Enter Six O'Clock in the Title field, click Begin Search click Six O'Clock
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. 
  41. ↑ "dutchcharts.nl Ringo Starr - Ringo" (ASP). dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Hit Parade Italia - Gli album più venduti del 1974" (in Italian). hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  43. ↑ "- Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) - Albums Chart Daijiten - The Beatles" (in Japanese). 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2011-08-31. 
  44. ↑ "norwegiancharts.com Ringo Starr - Ringo" (ASP). VG-lista. Retrieved 2011-08-31. 
  45. ↑ Billboard - 9 March - 1974. Retrieved 2012-01-29. 
  46. ↑ "Swedish Charts 1972–1975 (in PDF-files)" (in Swedish). Hitsallertijden. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  47. ↑ "allmusic ((( Ringo - Charts & Awards - Billboard Albums )))". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  48. ↑ "Album Search: Ringo Starr: Ringo" (ASP) (in German). Media Control. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  49. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1974". RPM. Retrieved 2011-10-03. 
  50. ↑ Billboard - Year-end Albums - 1974. Retrieved 2012-01-29. 
  51. ↑ "British album certifications – Ringo Starr – Ringo". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2012-02-11.  Enter Ringo in the field Search. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Click Go
  52. ↑ "American album certifications – Ringo Starr – Ringo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-02-11.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH

External links

Preceded by
You Don't Mess Around with Jim
by Jim Croce		 Canadian RPM 100 number-one album
December 22, 1973 (1 week) 		Succeeded by
Life and Times by Jim Croce
 
Ringo Starr
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