Ringo 2012 [Import]

Ringo Starr | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 31, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hip-O Records
• ASIN: B006CVOKE8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,538 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

Ringo 2012 is the fabulous sound of a man you know and love working in the groove of a lifetime and making an album with nine songs that vividly reflect his life yesterday and today. "This album is me doing what I do here and now," says Ringo, "and nobody's more qualified to do that than I am!"

In fact, one of the only things that didn't come easy for Ringo Starr making Ringo 2012 was the title. Ringo 2012 cannot help but recall the title of another classic album by Starr, 1973's Ringo -- in fact, Ringo 2012 features a startlingly new and improved version of "Step Lightly' from the massively successful Ringo, as well as "Wings" from 1978's Ringo The 4th.

Product Description

2012 release, the 17th solo album from the former Beatles time keeper. Titled simply Ringo 2012 and produced by Ringo, it was recorded in LA and mixed in England by Ringo and Bruce Sugar, and features nine songs. Of the nine tracks two are covers ("Think It Over," and "Rock Island Line") and two are new versions of his own songs, "Wings" and "Step Lightly." Joining Ringo in the studio for Ringo 2012 were musicians (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, Edgar Winter.

See all Editorial Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 81 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Business as Usual for Ringo January 31, 2012

By Rudy Palma

Format:Audio CD

Those who already know and love Ringo - and understand what his latter-day recordings are about (namely, cheerfully looking back on his fortunate life through lively, though only occasionally adventurous, melodies and percussion) - are aware of what to expect with the lean, non-stellar and yet comfortably familiar "Ringo 2012."

The album clocks in at less than 29 minutes. Some artists release EPs longer in length. In the vinyl era it would have been eyebrow-raising. Today it is jaw-dropping.

Furthermore, two songs are covers and two are re-recordings. That means there are only five new tunes.

Also, the valleys between variances in Ringo's sounds are noticeably narrowing. The melody, cadence and chord progression of (the thoughtful and highly listenable) "Anthem" sound a hell of a lot like those of "Fill in the Blanks," the (far stronger) opening track from 2010's "Y Not." That's not the end - "Slow Down" bears quite a resemblance to "Anthem" (and "Fill in the Blanks").

Ringo knows what he's doing, however. He's crafting records merely to please himself and is well aware that the small audience to shell out dollars on his new solo ventures are well-acquainted with his unique brand of joie de vivre and casual, laid back approach to peace sign pop/rock.

The best tunes are the re-recordings of old ones. "Wings" is sharp, brilliantly arranged and downright infectious. His vocals are fully passionate and his drumming (to be sure) is right in time. "Step Lightly" is also nuanced, meditative and colorful in its melody.

"Wonderful," a new composition, is wistful, romantic and lyrically above-average. He sings the best line - "the worst it ever was was wonderful" - with depth of feeling. His cover of Lonnie Donegan's old staple "Rock Island Line" is also spirited and fun.

"Ringo 2012" is only occasionally more than mere easy-listening, whereas 2003's "Ringo Rama" and 2010's "Y Not" had a fair deal of inspiration driving them. It is also far more likely to lose Ringo record buyers rather than win him new ones (due mostly to its piss-poor length). Still, it is also the most sincere and unpretentious new album from a major artist to hit stores in quite a while.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another out-of-the-park CD for Ringo February 3, 2012

By steve_manassas

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ringo Starr's solo albums always bring a smile to my face. They are perfect examples of old-school good-time rock 'n' roll at its finest. RINGO 2012 only contains nine cuts and runs just 28 minutes, but the performances are top-notch from start to finish. There are two cover versions, Buddy Holly's "Listen to Me" and the venerable "Rock Island Line," made world-famous by Lonnie Donegan. Two of the seven Ringo originals are remakes; "Wings," the single from 1977's disco album Ringo the 4th, produced by the late Arif Mardin, not Richard Perry, as Ringo claims in the bonus DVD, and "Step Lightly," originally a novelty song-and-dance number (with Ringo's nimble feet) from 1973's Ringo LP, which was produced by Perry (the song was also the U.S. B-side to "Oh My My"). Both remakes are superior to the original versions.

The other five cuts on the CD, from the opening "Anthem" to the closing "Slow Down" (unrelated to the Larry Williams song covered by The Beatles in 1964) are all first-rate examples of Beatlesque pop-rock. The bonus DVD is a track-by-track review of the CD by Ringo (who looks great).

It's hard to believe that Mr. Starkey is almost 72! Why this man is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist is beyond me. The cultural elitists who run the R&R HOF have room for "artists" such as Guns 'N' Roses and The Beastie Boys (who are not even a rock 'n' roll group), but no Ringo? Come on guys, put Ringo in while he's still alive and healthy enough to enjoy it! Don't wait until after his death, as you did with George Harrison!

P.S. Ringo is sick with pneumonia - he missed the Grammys (he was supposed to be a presenter), Paul's MusiCares ceremony, and his Hollywood Walk of Fame presentation as a result. Get well soon, Ring - we want you healthy for the All-Starr tour this summer!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Much Better Than That! February 2, 2012

By Vito

Format:Audio CD

I'm a bit surprised by the poor customer reviews -- I think the album is much, much better than reviewers are giving it credit for. Strong playing, strong vocals -- yeah, Ringo isn't the greatest vocalist but on this CD his vocals are very good, and his harmonies are a surprise. Frankly, I think it's one of his better albums. A variety of tempos, a variety of styles, and everything handled very well. The songwriting is much, much better than I would have thought after reading the other reviews. If anyone is interested in a Beatle-to-Beatle comparison, this album is significantly better than McCartney's Memory Almost Full, which was a real disappointment for me. For Beatles fans this is a solid investment. For Ringo fans, this is a must-buy.