Dear Steve,

"Ringo Rama Deluxe " is now available at several German Online Stores (e.g. www.Amazon.de or www.JPC.de ) as an import edition, that was told me today by Polydor-Island, the German Distributor of Ringo's KOCH releases. Officially this release is not been published in Germany.

Update (10/23/03)

Update (10/22/03)

Update (10/17/03)

The live version will not be appearing on any of the three discs (i.e. is not going to be included on the set at all). It was decided that, along with the video of "Never Without You" and its associated "making of" film, the song had plenty of appearances on the set, and (the live version) was dropped.

Update (10/16/03)

Update (9/28/03)

Koch records is tentatively planning a 3-CD Ringo Rama Deluxe box set for Christmas. The plan, at present is:

Disc 1: Full-length album, as previously released, plus, hopefully, all three leftover tracks. These include "Blink," the bonus track on the Japanese release, and two others, which still have not been approved. The other two tracks are titled "I'm Home" and "Okay, Ray."

Disc 2: The original Bonus DVD, with added material - the rarely-seen "Never Without You" video, plus a 20- to 30- minute "making of" film about the making of that video (also made by Brent Carpenter, who directed both the Bonus DVD and the video itself).

Disc 3: Jody Denberg's terrific "Ringo Rama Radio Hour," so for only released as a hard-to-find promo-only CD.
Tentative release date is November 11, 2003.

Update (9/7/03)

Update (7/29/03)

Update (7/23/03)

Dear Steve, Beatles and Ringo fans all over the world,

This message from Italy to inform all you that in the site Ringotour.com in Updates Section is present a new Ringo's VideoClip about the Rehearsals of the First Concert of the 2003 All Star Band Tour. This is the address line: http://ringostarr.com/update_frameset.html In the VideoClip is present the Mondial Simpaty of Ringo and you can listen to Yellow Submarine, Here Come the Sun tribute to his brother friend George!!!! Are little tracks but is easy to imagine like would be the Show!!!! Go there and Enjoy the little (but Good Show) !!!

God bless all you Beatles fans all over the world and your families, too!!!

ROSARIO BERSANELLI (Somewhere in Italy)

Update (7/16/03)

Update (7/5/03) Ringo has re-recorded "Boys" for Jools Hollands' forthcoming album. Here's a pic. (Thanks to Trini Schultz.)

Update (5/22/03) From Ed Felman:

I was wondering if you noticed the latest update on Ringo's website. Go to http://www.ringostarr.com/index.html. Click on Recent Updates & click on the May 20, 2003 update.

It starts with Ringo playing tambourine to George's song "Any Road" , after which Ringo gives the Any Road CD single a plug

Update (5/7/03)

Update (4/19/03)

KGSR Program Director Jody Denberg World Premieres his new one-hour interview with Ringo Starr at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time April 27 on the KGSR Sunday Night News program.

Dubbed "The Ringo Rama Radio Hour," the interview, recorded in New York last month, features songs from the former Beatles' drummer's latest CD "Ringo Rama," as well as a surprisingly intimate and frank conversation.

The program can be heard online at www.kgsr.com .

The show is being distributed internationally as a promotional disc; this Austin airing will be the world premiere.

Update (4/14/03)

Update (4/9/03) TV alert: Ringo will perform "Never Without You" on "Good Morning America" today. The Tony Perkins interview aired yesterday. Here's a note from Matt Hurwitz:

Hi, Steve (& Tom)--

Ringo's performance on GMA tomorrow, Fri 4/11/03, will include all three songs that were taped for the performance a few weeks ago. They will air, according to GMA, during the 8:30am half hour.

Hi Steve, Just a quick comment and inquiry. Walked into the Red Lobster for dinner on Tuesday night, and as we were getting a table, George's song "Never Get Over You" from Brainwashed comes over the in-restaurant music system. I thought maybe the manager was a George fan, but immediately following were the new singles from Matchbox 20 and Sixpence None The Richer. No other George songs the whole night, but a lot of new music...

I thought "Never Get Over You" was an odd choice to be programmed in, I have never heard of it being a prospective single, but I was delighted to hear it. My question is : Any chance of this being a new single here in the States? You mentioned "Any Road" will be released in the UK in May, maybe "Never Get Over You" will be the one in the US. I just thought you might want to put some feelers out.

Incidentally, in my opinion, I thought "Never Get Over You" was the best choice for a single anyway, and I could see a great nostalgic video too!

Keep up the great work!

All the best - MIKE CARROTHERS
Double Fantasy Mystery Video Webpage
http://www.vintagebb.com/lennon

Hi, Steve--

I've just seen the new "Never Without You" video, directed by Brent Carpenter (who also put together the "Ringo Rama" DVD). Very cool, very classy. As mentioned in my previous post, it features Ringo and the Roundheads filmed at an old vaudeville theater, not unlike the one seen at the end of "A Hard Day's Night" - in fact, the film has a nice AHDN feel to it. Ringo drums much like he did back then in the film! A very nice tribute to George indeed.

The video may have a premiere as early as next week, so keep an eye out. I'll let you know as soon as I hear.

(Thanks to Tom Carswell and Margaret Coyne.)

Update (3/29/03)

Update II (3/28/03) From Beatletone:

I have noticed that no one has mentioned that Ringo did a phone interview on the Bob and Tom radio show on Tuesday morning. The interview was taped on Monday after Ringo's appearance on the "Regis and Kelly" show. The interview was aired rather early in the morning (about 6 am central time) and ran about 15 minutes. Luckily, I was on my way to work early that day and was able to hear the whole interview. He was interviewed by Tom. He talked about the release of Ringo Rama and about the upcoming All-Starr Band Tour.

He was asked if he had any memorabilia from his Beatle days and said he didn't have too much. He didn't add that this was probably due to the house fire he had in the '70's. He was also asked if he collected any other memorabilia such as autographs, which he didn't.

Towards the end of the interview, he was asked if he had attended any of Paul's concerts in the U.S. last year. Ringo said that he was unable to see any of the shows because he had spent a lot of time in Europe. He added in classic Ringo style..."I've heard 'em all before."

It was a great interview and hopefully they will air it again and maybe even put it on their website. I along with many other Beatle fans appreciate your website and your extensive daily news coverage, which is a must stop on the web everyday. Thanks so much!

With basically the same people behind him, Ringo's new album sounds pretty much like "Vertical Man" and "I Wanna Be Santa Claus" did. And that particular sound is a bit "much" at times, I think - some of the songs would have deserved a BIT more "sparse" instrumentation. But all in all, this is typical Ringo of the good kind, and the album certainly doesn't deserve the slagging that some of the media is always far too prepared to give to any of Ringo's releases.

One song I could have no criticism about whatsoever is "Never Without You." I had heard glimpses of it, of course, through links on your site, but hearing it in its entirety, and listening to the lyrics actually made me cry - all through the first evening of listening to it and well into the next day.

Dedicating George's own "Here Comes the Sun" to its writer was touching enough, but even more so was the very last line: "I think that love is about you".

And it made me think - if George's passing can touch ME so much (and I may well be a Beatles fan(atic), but I certainly can't claim to have known George personally, or indeed ever have met him), how much may he be missed by family and long-time friends - like Ringo? I guess "Never Without You" answers a bit of that question. It's a tribute as fitting to dear George as any I could possibly imagine.

To finish: I recently also got "Brainwashed" on vinyl. It's definitely worth having if you can get it (amazon.co.uk was my source) - the package looks great in the 12" format, and the "booklet" is a lot nicer than the CD version. The music itself is just as great as before. ;-)

Update (3/27/03)

Hello Steve,

Thanks for your great site with all the news. I just wish to let you know that there's a Japanese retailer who lists the 14 tracks of Ringorama and the 14th is BLINK (THE MOVIE MIX). http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VICP-62263. Thanks.

The bonus DVD that comes with the new Ringo Rama CD contains an Easter Egg. The Easter Egg is the heart symbol located on the main menu to the upper right of the Ringo caricature. Click on it and you are in for a pleasant surprise.

SPOILER: It's a five-minute film called "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow" starring Mark Hudson, Dave Way (mixing engineer) and Ringo Starr. It's pretty silly.

Update (3/26/03)

Hi Steve,

I've got the European (made in Germany) edition of Ringo Rama, and there is no extra track on it called Blink. The only one that doesn't appear on the cover is the short "I really love Her", where Ringo plays all the instruments.

all the best,
Roger
www.norwegianwood.org

Update II (3/25/03)

Steve,

More info on the Ringo "GMA" taping is at www.beatlefan.com under Beatles Headlines.

Cheers,
Bill

Update (3/25/03)

Hi, Steve--

Just talked to Mark Hudson, who told me the songs recorded for GMA's future broadcast are "Mephis In Your Mind," "Never Without You" and "With a Little Help From My Friends." Can't beat hearing those new songs live!

Update (3/24/03)

Update (3/21/03)

Update (3/20/03)

GMA's Tony Perkins, a Beatlefan and Beatlefan/EXTRA! subscriber, says his interview with Ringo, conducted last week in L.A., is due to run on GMA Thursday. It's just one part and only ever was supposed to be one part, he says. Ringo is scheduled to perform three songs on GMA live on Friday but that may well be postponed by the war, Tony adds.

Cheers,
Bill

The Village Voice has an ad for Ringo signing Ringo Rama on Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at FYE, 51st and 6th Ave. in Manhattan (212-581-1669). Thought you'd like this info. I saw that the signing date was listed earlier but with no details. Best wishes, Bruce Bosso/Brooklyn

Update (3/19/03)

Update (3/18/03)

Hi, Steve--

I just spoke to Tony Perkins's office at ABC/Good Morning America. His interview with Ringo (taped at last week's rehearsals in Los Angeles) is now scheduled to air this coming Thursday (instead of Monday and Tuesday). Tony's a great fan and always has a good interview.

Update (3/16/03)

Update (3/15/03)

Regis March 24
Daily Show March 26

And newspaper stories:

LA Times soon
NY Times - a review soon
Access Hollywood (Monday)
CNN
E!
Rolling Stone March 28

Hi Steve- Well, there's not much more I can add than what's already been said by Matt Hurwitz and Steve Schindler. And if you saw the show it was just like that only live...lol! We sat to the right of Kevin Eubanks' band in the upper level...from where we sat we could not see Kevin's band playing unless you got up and bent over the railing. But we got a great view of the guest chair and Ringo's band playing....until Jay stood up to watch Ringo sing and stopped directly in front of my view! Fortunately they have monitors located all over the upper level audience area, so I watched Ringo sing from there.

For me, this is the first time EVER I get to see a Beatle up-close, in person, without the aid of binoculars. It was very surreal for me. When I first saw Ringo come out I was surprised at how small he looks....he looks like he lost a lot of weight since his last tour. Because I've never seen him before this close and in person...maybe this is how he looks in real live all the time? I don't know. On TV. and pictures, you know celebrities look larger and so different. Even Jay's studio set looks larger on TV....it's actually a lot smaller!

Anyway...during commercial breaks I watched Ringo chat with Jay. He was in a very good mood and very charming. Very sharp dressed and great sense of humor as always. After he finished his set (off camera)....he walked over to Jay's desk and picked up his RingoRama CD, took out the CD and autographed it for Jay. At the end of the show the crew walked on stage as well as some audience to take pics with Jay, it got crowded up there, and Ringo quietly walked off waving at the audience and disappeared around the corner, while a few from the audience notice him leaving and yelled "RINGO!!" including my son, but he didn't turn around.

We left right away to try beat 5:00 traffic since we had to drive all the way back to Orange County. I noticed some fans hung about outside the studio and at the exit in hopes of getting one last glimpse of Ringo. Trini

Update (3/14/03)

Ringo arrived at NBC about 3:30 p.m. The band had arrived earlier for soundchecks and rehearsals. The show began on time at 4:30 p.m. (recorded live to tape). Ringo's interview segment was the first of the two (the other guest was Bill O'Reilly). Jay's interview with Ringo was fairly routine, including some discussion of the upcoming Beatles Anthology DVD. Ringo did, however, share a very poignant story about his last visit with George Harrison, setting the tone for the performance later in the show of Ringo's tribute to George, "Never Without You," the first single off "Ringo Rama."

The performance of "Never Without You" was an emotional one with Ringo delivering a very emotional lead vocal in front of the band. The band recounted later, after the show, that the song frequently had Ringo fighting back tears during the previous several days' rehearsals, as did drummer Greg Bisinnett during the show taping.

Lead guitarist Steve Dudas did an admirable job recreating Eric Clapton's guitar solo from the recording.

Immediately after the show was taped, Leno, O'Reilly and Starr recorded a few promos for the show for network affiliates.

I was in the studio for Ringo's performance. The entire audience stood and clapped for the entire song, as did Jay. Ringo charmed everyone, the crew and staff included. He kidded with Jay during the commercials, and goofed around at the end during the short "promo" shoot after the show. I was lucky enough to be in the hall outside Ringo's dressing room after the show where he gladly posed for photos and acted just like... well, Ringo!

Update (3/13/03)

Hi, Steve--

I was lucky enough to get to go see the Roundheads rehearsing at their rehearsal studio today - they sound great. There are a couple of additions this time around, in case people wonder who they're seeing when they see them play on television.

The band consists of regular Roundheads Ringo, Mark Hudson (guitar), Gary Burr (guitar - wrote/played on Ringo Rama), Steve Dudas (guitar - same), plus Mark Hart (keyboards - from current Supertramp - regular keyboardist Jim Cox is on tour with Mark Knopfler), Greg Bisonnette (drums) and his brother Matt Bisonette (bass). The latter two (two blond-headed fellows) will be recognizable from those who saw the ELO PBS special last year (or have the DVD), part of the current live ELO band.

The band will be performing Ringo's new single, "Never Without You," on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," but expect to hear some other tunes on some of their other performances (including The Bottom Line). Some of the usual favorites, as well as a few tracks from the new album.

Update (3/12/03)

Update (3/6/03)

• On TV:
  
• "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" 3/13
• "Good Morning America" 2 part interview 3/17-18
• "CNN Morning" with Paula Zahn 3/21
• "Good Morning America" live 3/21
• VH1 Classics "Ringo Rama" weekend 3/22-23
• "Last Call" 3/24
• "MTV TRL" 3/25
• "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" 3/25
• In print:
  
• USA Today
  
• RollIng Stone
  
• Modern Drummer
  

A thank you to Barbara Orbison is credited for lending Roy's "Pretty Woman" growl to the song "Memphis On Your Mind" - listen for it!... I should also mention that on his song "English Garden", Ringo sings the lines "Someone's knockin' at the door, somebody's ringing the bell..." ( a nod to Paul's "Let 'Em In")

Update (2/27/03) We just received this note from someone who says they're close to the Ringo camp:

"Produced by Mark Hudson and Ringo Starr"
"Produced by Ringo Starr and Mark Hudson?"

So read the producing credits, one below the other, on the back of Ringo's new album, "Ringo Rama." Both credits appear, lest someone get confused who's more important.

The real question is, is this just another Ringo-ism? Remember, the front of his last album read, "Ringo Starr. . . I Want To Be Santa Claus," while the back said, "Santa Claus. . . I Want To Be Ringo Starr." Or is this a message from one Beatle to another about the importance/non-importance of the order of credits? Only your drummer knows for sure. . .

Update (2/24/03) The Koch Records website says "Ringo Rama" will come with a 40-minute DVD with footage on the making of the album and interviews with the musicians. (Thanks to Joeltle515 and Paul Soper.)

Update (2/21/03) The Koch Records website has a look at the making of "Never Without You," the George tribute from "Ringo Rama." (See link at left on homepage.)

And the Ringo CD signing we mentioned yesterday is at the fye store, as this link shows. (Thanks to John Barone.)

Update (2/20/03) Roger Barone tells us that Ringo will do a CD signing on March 25 in New York. We don't know any other details, though.

Update (2/13/03) Here's a new publicity shot of Ringo taken by producer Mark Hudson. (Thanks to Koch Records.)

Update (2/12/03) We listened to a little of the album Tuesday. First thing we noticed is all the Beatle references. "Never Without You" is a sweet tribute to George. Willie Nelson is the perfect partner for Ringo on "Write One For Me." They fit in well.

Update (2/6/03) From Bill King, an advance look at "Ringo Rama":

Hi Steve,

Some initial thoughts on "Ringo Rama": The material isn't quite as immediately catchy as on "Vertical Man." Stylistically, it's very much in keeping with "Vertical" and "I Wanna Be Santa Claus." Lots of Beatley licks and backing vocals (with co-producer Mark Hudson occasionally getting just a bit too cute with the latter). Quite a few lyrical quotes from Beatles or solo Beatles lyrics or titles (perhaps a tad too many).

Quick takes on the tracks:

"Eye to Eye" is a tough rocker making Ringo's pitch for "peace and love".

"Missouri Loves Company" has some groaning wordplay and early on brings to mind Barry Wom of the Rutles (really!).

"Instant Amnesia" is about as close as you'll hear Ringo get to heavy metal.

"Memphis in Your Mind" is an upbeat slice of rockabilly.

"Never Without You", the song for George, is a heartfelt tribute, full of love. Nice solo by Clapton. Not a song that's going to knock you out on first listen, but it grows on you (like the album itself).

"Imagine Me There" is a string-backed ballad.

"I Think Therefore I Rock 'n' Roll" is a raucous rocker with a pounding drumbeat.

"Trippin' On My Own Tears" is a midtempo, rocker with Shawn Colvin backing Ringo's vocal.

"Write One for Me" is a catchy, country number with Ringo alternating the lead vocal with Willie Nelson.

"What Love Wants to Be" is a pretty, acoustic guitar-backed ballad.

"Love First, Ask Questions Later" has a countryish flavor.

With "Elizabeth Reigns", a bouncy ode to the queen, Ringo and Mark dip their toes into gentle, "Pepper"-esque psychedlia.

"English Garden" is a bouncy track laden with sound effects.

And "I Really Love Her", the Ringo solo number, is a catchy, loping country-rock tune that's too brief.

All in all, a pleasant collection of tracks that needs a few listens before you really pick up on its charms. More on the album in Beatlefan/EXTRA! #141. If you'd like a copy, send an SASE to Beatlefan/EXTRA!, P.O. Box 33515, Decatur GA 30033. Be sure to specify #141. Cheers, Bill

Hi, Steve--

"Never Without You" is not being released as a commercial single, only to radio.

Update (2/5/03) Koch Records has confirmed to us that the image we posted is indeed the cover of "Ringo Rama."

Forgot to mention how good it is to see that Koch is going to give Ringo a commercial single release, where Capitol didn't do the same for George. I haven't had the pleasure of hearing either version of the "Brainwashed" radio special, but I hope they both continue to circulate & keep interest alive for George's excellent album. How great it would be if Capitol would only release "Any Road Will Take You There" as a single for George's birthday. A great video could be compiled along the lines of George's own life's road, with a wide variety of clips. Geffen and later Polydor did this for what, 5 or 6 posthumus Lennon singles? George deserves no less. It could be coupled with a single & video release of "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea", as was done for Paul with simultaneous releases of "Your Loving Flame" and "Lonely Road" from "Driving Rain".

Add to that a DVD/CD reissue of the Bangla Desh concert, a DVD release of "The Concert for George", and a push for the 2004 Grammy & R&R Hall of Fame nominations; we'd then have a much more fitting tribute to George & "Brainwashed" than we've seen thus far. Well I can dream!

Update (2/3/03)

Update (2/1/03)

Update (1/31/03) Here's the official press release annoucing Ringo's "Ringo Rama" album:

KOCH Entertainment Proudly Announces the March 25 Release Of Ringo Starr's "Ringo Rama"

Thursday January 30, 10:47 am ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The following release was written by David Wild for KOCH Entertainment: Ultimately what's most impressive about Ringo Starr isn't what he's been, but rather who he is. And with his wonderfully infectious and intimate new album, Ringo Rama, Starr and his close-knit team of collaborators have created a characteristically charming reflection of who Ringo Starr is in the present tense. The man's great heart and soul, his wit and wisdom all come through loud and clear throughout "Ringo Rama".

"There is a lot of me in these songs," Starr says. "As time goes on, my personality is coming out more and more in the music. That's just what happens. On this album my drumming is more dynamic, I'm more to the front, I think I'm singing better and I believe we're writing better songs. All the touring helps because then you're keeping your chops up. I suppose I had a long time off and now I've had a long time on."

A grown-up thrill ride, "Ringo Rama" lovingly and at times movingly celebrates yesterday and today. This is a song cycle that appropriately acknowledges the former Beatle's illustrious past but at the same time powerfully insists on the paramount importance of living and loving here and now. "Ringo Rama" would be a fine album without any of its back story. Yet coming from Starr, it feels in a sense like the album of a lifetime.

Ever since cleaning up his own act at the end of the Eighties, Starr started touring with his assorted All-Starr bands and recording a series of impressive albums that at long last made good on the tremendous promise of his early post-Beatles efforts. "I had a great cycle with Ringo [1973] and Goodnight Vienna [1974] and then it all went downhill," Starr admits. "And then from the time of Time Takes Time [1992], I started climbing back up the hill. And since then they're all just getting better."

The rock steady drummer is excited to find himself in such a healthy and extended musical groove. "I've said this over and over again, but I love being in a band," Starr explains. "And I love hanging out with a crowd of musicians. And that's what we are and that's what we do. We write them and we record them."

For "Ringo Rama", the "we" of which Starr speaks of is a fine group of fellow travelers that includes producer Mark Hudson, and writer/players like Gary Burr, Dean Grakal, Steve Dudas, Jim Cox and Gary Nicholson. There are also some notable guest appearances from old friends like Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Willie Nelson, Shawn Colvin, Timothy B. Schmidt, Van Dyke Parks and Charlie Haden.

The album was recorded largely at Starr's English studio, with a few tracks cut at producer Hudson's tiny studio in Los Angeles. "I refuse to go into a so-called 'real,' stuffy studio anymore," Starr says. "I like to see us all sweat together and feel the music together." Starr credits producer Hudson with helping to create an ideal atmosphere to work and play. "Mainly we have a lot of laughs," he explains. "It's a lot of fun working together. And we can shout at each other without us getting really hurt and leaving the room. Sometimes it gets a bit tense in the studio, but Mark brings a lot of love, a lot of musical talent and a lot of diplomacy within the group in terms of holding us together. We have a team and we hang out. And it just matters how many of us are in the room how many write the song. It's whatever comes up at that minute. It's not all so pre-planned."

The spontaneous, positive spirit at the heart of Starr's work since his days with the Beatles is very much in evidence on "Ringo Rama", right from the aggressively peaceful first track "Eye To Eye" with its opening allusions to Starr's own first solo smash, 1971's "It Don't Come Easy." Like several other tracks on the album, "Eye To Eye" represents an impassioned cry for peace and love in tense, even traumatic times. "To me 'Eye To Eye' sounds like there's a war going on and we're trying to make it a war of love," Starr offers. "I know it's easy to say, but we're trying our best to see eye to eye because then the world would be a better place. With me, the mission all the time is the same - peace and love and four guys sitting around a room writing songs of love."

Another standout on "Ringo Rama" is a love song of a different sort, "Never Without You" - a luminous, deeply felt tribute to Starr's friend and former bandmate George Harrison. "It was my way - with the help of Gary and Mark - to say how much George meant to me and how much he will be remembered," he says softly. "Gary Nicholson started that song, and Mark brought it over and we realized we could tailor it. George was really on my mind then. I actually tried to get George, John Lennon and Harry Nilsson all into that song. But it got too busy, so I thought I'm just going to do it for George." To play the moving guitar solo for "Never Without You," Starr reached out to another guitar great and close friend of Harrison. "I called Eric Clapton up and it was great to have him," Starr says. "Eric's on two tracks on the album, but I really wanted him on this song because George loved Eric and Eric loved George. I wanted Eric to come and play that solo because I only wanted people on the track who George knew and loved."

Another major guitar player, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame, appears on the wryly philosophical tune "I Think Therefore I Rock & Roll" and "Missouri Loves Company." For the record, Starr points out that both of these legendary players were not only inspired but also convenient. "We had a funny joke over here," Starr recalls from his home in England, "People would ask, 'So who's on the record?' And we'd say, 'Just a couple of local guys. You know, like Eric Clapton and Dave Gilmour.' Because they do both live just around the corner."

Certain "Ringo Rama" songs - like "English Garden" and "Elizabeth Reigns" - reflect the album's British origins. "Elizabeth Reigns" was because when we were recording here the Queen's Jubilee was going on, and there was this big party where Paul played and lots of other bands too. And it was so in your face. And our American 'cousins' who were staying with me at the time - namely everyone in the band on the record - were so excited about it all. Dean Grakal started the song. And because I thought they've had their day in all honesty myself, I had to put in that verse, 'Six hundred servants/Use her detergent/Scrubbing the Palace floor.' Elizabeth was the last of the great ones, and like the song says, 'we don't really need a king.'" Even closer to home is "English Garden," which references Ringo's beloved wife Barbara and even the family dog Buster.

As befits an album created by a bunch of Brits and Americans, "Ringo Rama" also features songs with a decidedly American feel. A lifelong country music lover - witness his classic cover with the Beatles of Buck Owns "Act Naturally" and his 1970 Beaucoup of Blues album - Starr shines on the country-tinged "Write One For Me" which features a strong vocal assist from the one and only Willie Nelson. "That one was done long-distance because I was in England and Willie was touring in America," Starr explains. "But I've met Willie time and time again, and he's a beautiful human being. He's a gentleman who's open to everything - an incredible man."

The hilarious and lovely "Missouri Loves Company" is an excellent, pun-filled road trip of a pop song. "We love the double entendre of the thing," Starr says with a warm laugh. "For me I wanted it to be a kind of travelogue around America. America is still very romantic to me. Route 66 is very romantic to me too. That's sort of where I came into this thing with Chuck Berry." And the King of Rock & Roll himself is name checked in "Memphis in Your Mind."

"I Think Therefore I Rock & Roll" is another stirring testament to the importance of music in Starr's life. "It's about rock & roll, the blues, just music really," Starr explains. "I love music. I still listen to it. I don't actually listen to that much of what's going on, though you can't doubt Coldplay. I love bands, but I'm not into all these bands from reality shows put together on TV. They haven't put in the time and the energy for it. That stuff is all a bit instant and it sounds a bit instant. In fact, you blink and you've missed them. I do love Eminem. I love that groove he always has and his writing has so much humor"

Finally, just between friends, there's a bonus track at the end of "Ringo Rama". "We used to have quite a bit of those little tags on the Beatles albums," Starr remembers. "We'd throw a little something in. So I suppose it's part of that." This time around, Starr's parting shot of love and peace is the short but sweet "I Really Love Her," which he recorded all on his own. "Just one time in my career, I wanted to do it all," he says, laughing. "I'm tired of all my other mates doing everything. So I thought, 'Okay, I'm going to do it all.' So that was a lot of fun for me."

The inspired fun of "Ringo Rama" is likely to spread this summer when Starr takes the latest set of All-Starrs out on the road. "We're going live again this year," Starr says. "And I promised our promoter David Fishof that I'll play three new songs. So get ready."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: KOCH Entertainment

Update (1/29/03)

Steve,

Here's more on "Ringo Rama":

Former All Starr Band member Timothy B. Schmidt (of the Eagles) contributes background vocals on Tracks 2, 3, 4, and 9. The band on the album is basically the Roundheads ? co-producer Mark Hudson, and writer-players Gary Burr, Dean Grakal, Steve Dudas, Jim Cox and Gary Nicholson. "I've said this over and over again, but I love being in a band," Starr says.

He talks extensively about the album in the liner notes, which are previewed in Beatlefan/EXTRA! #181."Never Without You" ? the first single, being sent to radio Feb. 17 ? was, Ringo explains, his way to "say how much George meant to me and how much he will be remembered . . . George was really on my mind then. I actually tried to get George, John Lennon and Harry Nilsson all into that song. But it got too busy, so I thought I'm just going to do it for George."

Ringo said he "called Eric Clapton up and it was great to have him . . . I really wanted him on this song because George loved Eric and Eric loved George" Ringo's fondness for American country music shows in"Write One For Me". "That one was done long-distance because I was in England and Willie was touring in America," Ringo says. There's also a short bonus track at the end of the album, "I Really Love Her", which Ringo recorded on his own.

Ringo also says in the liner notes that on this summer's All Starr Band tour, "I promised our promoter David Fishof that I'll play three new songs. So get ready."

Anyone wanting a sample copy of Beatlefan/EXTRA! #181 with extensive Ringo quotes from the album liner notes can get one by sending a SASE to Beatlefan/EXTRA! sample, P.O. Box 33515, Decatur GA 30033. Be sure to specify you want #181. For more information on Beatlefan/EXTRA!, go to www.beatlefan.com

Cheers,
Bill

Update (1/28/03)

1. Eye To Eye
2. Missouri Loves Company
3. Instant Amnesia - (featuring David Gilmour)
4. Memphis In Your Mind
5. Never Without You - (featuring Eric Clapton)
6. Imagine Me There - (featuring Charlie Haden)
7. I Think, Therefore I Rock 'N' Roll - (featuring David Gilmore)
8. Trippin On My Own Tears - (featuring Shawn Colvin)
9. Write One For Me - (featuring Willie Nelson)
10. What Love Wants To Be
11. Love First
12. Elizabeth Reigns (featuring Van Dyke Parks)
13. English Garden

Update (1/24/03)

From echodcat:

I have had the pleasure to hear the entire Ringorama CD, and I must say that this is one killer album!! There are very heavy/noisy songs as well as a few lyrical surprises. The song for George/Beatles is amazing...Almost 64 and Ringo is still a force to be reckoned with.....

Update (1/22/03)

Hi, Steve--

The song "BLINK," heard over the credits on "A Guy Thing" is indeed a new song from the sessions for "Ringo Rama." I asked Mark Hudson about it, who says that he's not certain if it will appear on the soundtrack album for the film. However, he says it will be appearing on the European and Japanese editions of "Ringo Rama," though not on the American one.

"It's Gonna Be Okay, Ray" is also from those sessions, and is written by Mark, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal and Mark Hart (of Crowded House). The song, heard on KABC as Casey P. pointed out, will remain unreleased.

Update (1/20/03)

Hi, Steve--

Just a minor point - I understand the title of Ringo's new album is written as "Ringo Rama," not "Ringorama," as Mark had told me before. It's sort of a play on words that Ringo likes, I'm told.

Update II (1/18/03)

This morning (Friday), the host on KABC in Los Angeles played a new song from Ringo's sessions for his upcoming "Ringorama" CD...but this track is not apparently included on the album. The track is called "It's Gonna Be O.K., Ray".

Some background...apparently the writer of the song was a long time listener to this radio show (which used to have as its slogan, 'EGBOK...everything's gonna be OK'. Years ago, he wrote the song, demo'd it and gave it to the show to play. The host left and came back to KABC. In the intervening years, the guy wrote songs for Aerosmith, among others and got this tune placed with Ringo. They only played about 30 seconds of it in the clear, then talked over it for about another minute.

Update (1/1/03)

The new album, at this point, will be called "Ringorama" (not sure if there will be any hyphens in there. . .) and will feature 13 tracks, plus a special bonus number at the end featuring a song Ringo wrote all himself (without the other Roundheads) and on which he plays *all* the instruments, including bass and slide guitar. [There were actually a total of 17 songs recorded, leaving 3 for bonus land, if we're lucky.]

The song in tribute to George, "Never Without You," features Eric Clapton playing lead guitar, making it a double tribute. Mark talked about how Clapton lives near Ringo in England, and, one day, Mark was in the little village center and saw Eric, and simply (but nervously) invited him to come and play on it, which he did.

Mark played me the whole album out in his car just before we did the interview, and I can tell you it's got some great rockers, some rockabilly, and some classic Ringo ballads, too. In general, it has a harder edge to it than "Vertical Man," and is very well-produced. Tons of little Beatle-isms in there, as one would expect from Mr. Hudson.

Update (11/28/02) Fox News.com reports Ringo has recorded a George tribute song for his next album, which the report says will be out in March. The song was co-written with Eric Clapton, and according to Fox News, has no title (though we've heard otherwise, but we don't know what the title is), but will feature Roger Waters (Pink Floyd). A source confirmed that this was the "extraordinary" track we'd reported on previously. (Thanks to Fred Velez, Mark Kennedy and GreyMatterTV1999 for the link.)

Update (11/13/02) Late change to the item from yesterday: Neither Paul or George play on the track. (Thanks to Joe Johnson from Beatle Brunch and D. Blue.)

Update (11/12/02) Word is that one of the tracks on Ringo's album has an "extraordinary" quality to it, though we don't know more details than that. Neither Paul or George play on the track, we're told.

Update (8/22/02) From Matt Hurwitz:

Hi, Steve--

I just spent the afternoon at Mark Hudson's Whatinthewhathe? Studios in West L.A. hearing some of the new Ringo album. Ringo's in top form, doing a really cool mix of rough rock songs, rockabilly, ballads - just pure Ringo. Some Beatle-y treats, some treats for Beatles. There's 16 tracks in all done -- not certain if all of them will be on the album at this time. A number of guest stars, like always, a few not heard from on a Ringo album for some time. . . . I forget who they are - Instant Amnesia (sounds like a good album title, eh), you know. . .

Update (5/21/02) Given the early contradictory reports we've mentioned previously, we asked Matt Hurwitz to pass on some quick questions to Mark Hudson, Ringo's producer, via email to get some answers. Here's our questions and the answers:

Q: Ringo's new album: any title, any songs done. Where it's being recorded?

A: No title or song info right now. They've recording several songs in Los Angeles, and right now are preparing to record in England.

Q: Will Paul be involved? Any other guest stars?

A: Never know at this point. Q: One report says the album will include a song written by George. True?

A: There will be NO songs written by George. Also, Dhani will not be involved at all.

Q: Will there be a tour after the album? Will it be an All-Starr Band tour?

Q: That's being considered. No details as yet.

Update (5/18/02) Launch.com reports the next All-Starr Band tour will be next year. However, Archer and Valerie report the tour won't be an "All-Starr thing," but only with a short itinerary. The site also reports that Ringo's album may include a guest appearance by Paul McCartney and at least one new song written by George before his passing. "George had given me a few song demos and I'd like to do at least one of them. [Co-producer] Mark [Hudson] and I were even discussing bringing in Dhani to record it with us." (Thanks to raph for the link.)

(5/17/02)

A press release we received Thursday:

May 3, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KOCH RECORDS SIGNS FORMER BEATLE RINGO STARR AND WILL RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN SPRING OF 2003

New York, NY – Ringo Starr is currently in the studio working on a new studio album, which is scheduled for release on KOCH Records in the spring of 2003. Production duties are once again being handled by Mark Hudson, who has produced the last 3 studio albums from Ringo, in addition to working with artists such as Aerosmith and Hanson.

KOCH, who released The Anthology…So Far – the three CD live set from Ringo and his All-Starr band last summer, plan to promote the release in conjunction with several promotional appearance by Ringo. Ringo says; “It’s a pleasure to be on the KOCH label and to continue the great relationship we have with Ringo and His All Star Band – The Anthology – So Far.”

New York based KOCH Entertainment has the #1 market share in the US as both a label and a distribution company. Other titles on their roster include releases from artists such as Carole King, Charlie Daniels, Public Enemy, Onyx, The Ying Yang Twins, former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and Kinks co-founder Dave Davies.

Bob Frank, President of KOCH Entertainment says, “It’s certainly an honor to be able to work with Ringo. We feel he is poised for his greatest worldwide solo success yet.”

Billboard.com also has a small item on the announcement. (Thanks to raph for the link.)
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