Beaucoups of Blues [Original recording remastered, Extra tracks]

Ringo Starr | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000006N4I
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,431 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's worth the rain to have a little sunshine, February 23, 2001

By 

Cristian Domarchi "Cristian" (Concepcion, Chile) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beaucoups of Blues (Audio CD)

I understand that some people may have certain predjudgements against Ringo Starr's solo carrer, and against this particular album. But this was my first Ringo CD purchase, and I wasn't dissapointed. I was waiting for the boring disaster some reviewers predicted, but instead, I found a country album (you can't review it like a pop album) extremely well-prepared, with some of the finest Ringo's vocal performances I've ever heard, and lyrics that can surprise you when you read them. Chuck Howard and Sorrells Pickard (two major country composers), wrote the majority of songs on this album, and their stories have always something to comment, or some phrases to rescue, hence the title of this review (from "Woman Of The Night").

You can never expect the genial lyrics of John Lennon, the perfectionist musical taste of Paul McCartney or even the solemnity and irony of George Harrison from a person like Ringo Starr, a man who always was in the shadows of the best band in the history of popular music. But you can enjoy, with tolerance and well-prepared ears, an effort like this. This not-pop-but-country experiment was prepared for Ringo by producer Pete Drake, recorded mainly in Nashville by other instrumentists, with Ringo only expected to go, pick up the songs he liked, and add the vocals and some drums and acoustic guitar parts. But the composers and musicians picked up by Drake make a wonderful job: the title track "Beacoups Of Blues" has lovely and sad lyrics, and there are some interesting stories behind "Love Don't Last Long", "Woman Of The Night" and "Loser's Lounge". Of course, there is some straight country music that can bore some people ("Fastest Growing Heartache In The West", "Wine, Women And Loud Happy Songs", "I'd Be Talking All The Time"), but there are also extraordinary love ballads ("Without Her" can easily make you cry, "Waiting" is lovely; and although the vocal duet "I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way" is a little dullish, it's also listenable) and some unusually good songs, with sparkling geniality and humour (enjoy the rhythm and story behind "$15 Draw"!) or social content (the haunting "Silent Homecoming", apart from fitting perfectly with Ringo's voice and featuring some lovely instrumental tricks and backing vocals by The Jordanaries, the well-known group of Elvis' vocalists, is a very emotional anti-war song, this time from the eyes of a mother who has lost her child). The bouns tracks are also worth noting: Ringo's first solo-released composition "Coochy Coochy" has an interesting rhythm built around one chord!, and "Nashville Jam" is a long instrumental with great quality. It shows Ringo really enjoyed this album. Some said "Nashville Jam" is well worth the price of the CD for itself.

Without defending Ringo too much, I don't think this album is a bad purchase. It can bring you minutes of joyful songs and others full of thoughtful memories or remorseful wine-driven love laments, but you can really enjoy the listening. Sure, The Beatles were more much of this, and even Ringo himself did better songs and albums, but "it's worth the rain to have a little sunshine" and this CD is not one to reject. You may like it or not, but you have to recognize that there are some quality songs and production inside it.

Buy it if you're a fan. If you're not, know and love The Beatles first. Then you'll love Ringo, just like everyone else does.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars When you're hot, you're hot, July 7, 2004

By 

Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beaucoups of Blues (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is GREAT!, February 6, 2002

By 

C. C. Cotham "Charles Christopher" (Austin, Tx United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beaucoups of Blues (Audio CD)

I don't know what there is to complain about - this CD is great! I admit I didn't buy it with great expectations, but I really liked the tune "Beaucoups of Blues" on Ringo's "best of" CD, so I thought it might be worth a listen. I'm glad I gave it a chance! The songs are mostly wonderful, and it's all done with good humor and class - even if it does lean toward the campier end of country music. Which is OK, because that's definietly in the country tradition. It's obviously not a deep, meaningful, searching album like a lot of the early Beatle solo albums are (which, let's face it, it can't help but be compared to), but it IS an enjoyable listen. And there's nothing wrong with it being "just" a fun CD. Buy it!