Ringo Starr VH1 Storytellers [LIVE]

VH1 Storytellers (Series), Ringo Starr

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Island / Mercury
• ASIN: B00000DBYY
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #177,989 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On the most famous Beatles song that John Lennon and Paul McCartney deigned to let him sing, Ringo Starr asked the musical question, "What would you do if I sang out of tune / Would you stand up and walk out on me?" Decades later, most of us are still keeping our options open. Yet Starr remains the most accessible Beatle, and the most pragmatic--even he wouldn't try to claim that he could get by without a little help from his friends. On VH1 Storytellers, his friends include his backing band the Roundheads--classic-rock vets Joe Walsh, Mark Hudson, Jack Blades, Simon Kirke, and others. The set samples the best of his solo career ("Photograph," "It Don't Come Easy," "Back Off Boogaloo") and tosses in some Beatles tunes ("Octopus's Garden," "Don't Pass Me By," "With a Little Help...," "Love Me Do"). But it devotes too much time--fully a third of the disc--to his recent and mostly weak album, Vertical Man. Through it all, though, Starr is charmingly self-deprecating, a little proud (referring to the Beatles as "that other band"), and a pretty good storyteller, revealing (not for the first time) how the fourth Beatle often felt like a fifth wheel. A little something to tide you over until his next All-Starr extravaganza. --Daniel Durchholz

Entertainment Weekly

A nice retrospective of an underappreciated composer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Ringo live set!, January 25, 2001

By	johnglor94 "johnglor94" (Hamden, CT USA) - See all my reviews

Ringo and friends (including Joe Walsh) provide a well-playedset that's a mix of classics and material from Ringo's new (and underrated) album "Vertical Man." This recording is from his recent appearance on VH1. He sounds great!

If you're a fan, this is a great record of Ringo live. If you're new to Ringo (and the Beatles) this is a good place to start. Recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic live recording. I mean it !, February 4, 1999

By A Customer

Before saying anything else, I must confess I'm a Beatles fan and a Ringo fan, and I keep on listening to this Storytellers album again and again. To me, this album deserves 5 stars but I've put only four, trying to give an "average listener" view. And here's why this CD is so good . First of all, the band that backs Ringo, called the Roundheads and featuring Mark Hudson and Joe Walsh, is absolutely fantastic. They play tight, their backing vocals are among the best I've ever heard. Some of the songs have new arrangements, not big changes but little things that are nice surprises for the listener who is used to the original versions (the harmonica in Don't Pass Me By, the Beach Boys-like backing vocals on Photograph...) This band is very good, has good ideas and good taste. Now, about Ringo himself : he really sings very well. REALLY. Forget the All-Starr Band CDs. Just listen to With a little help from my friends and you'll see what I mean. To sum up the whole thing : if you're already a Beatles fan, even a "lukewarm one", you can be sure you'll love this album. It's also a good way to discover Ringo's solo work. And if you simply love rock and pop music, you'll like it too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ringo never sounded better!, November 1, 1998

By A Customer

A combination of Beatles' songs and Ringo's music over the last 30 years. Good selection of music from a great band. They have a good groove throughout the CD and a good balance of vocals & instruments. Ringo gives narratives on the origins and background of some of the songs. If you get the chance, find a copy of the VH1 videotape. It's great to see Ringo react with the band & a live audience.A great CD to listen and sing along! If you are a Ringo fan, don't miss this one!