The legendary Beatles drummer, Ringo Starr, has released his new album, titled “Look Up”. The cover art features Ringo wearing a cowboy hat, signaling the album’s musical direction towards country sounds.
This might seem unusual to some Beatles fans, but it’s worth noting that the Liverpool band’s catalog always included songs with country influences, many sung by Ringo himself. Examples include “Act Naturally”, “What Goes On”, “Don’t Pass Me By”, “I’ve Just Seen a Face”, and “Rocky Raccoon”. Even the iconic “Get Back” has some country elements.
Furthermore, Ringo has previously ventured into country with his 1970 album “Beaucoups of Blues”, so the genre is no stranger to him.
However, I’m not quite sure who “Look Up” is aimed at. The songs don’t seem country enough to satisfy true aficionados of the genre, yet they diverge significantly from the pop-rock sound Beatles fans might expect.
Regarding Ringo’s vocals, they’ve never been his strongest suit. In the Beatles’ catalog, his singing adds variety, but a full album of his voice might leave listeners longing for another Beatle’s contribution.
On this album, Ringo is complemented by vocal harmonies from contemporary country and bluegrass artists such as Billy Strings, Jess Wolfe, and Holly Laessig (from the band Lucius), and most notably, singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle. Tuttle brings some of the album’s best moments, like the harmonies in the lovely ballad “I Live for Your Love”. She also performs a duet with Ringo on “Can You Hear Me Call”, where she also showcases her acoustic guitar skills.
Some tracks emphasize blues, like “Come Back”, with its simple, melancholic lyrics about waiting for true love at dawn, accompanied by a slow acoustic guitar rhythm.
On the other hand, “You Want Some” contrasts with its lively, dance-oriented beat, capturing the essence of traditional country with the use of slide guitar. Its catchy melody and straightforward structure make it a nice moment.
I must mention that the album’s production quality is excellent; Ringo’s drumming sounds phenomenal, much clearer than on any Beatles record. His drumming, though simple, has always been great, and rightly so, he’s often cited as a favorite among legendary drummers.
The tracks on “Look Up” are, in general, if not particularly memorable, certainly pleasant. According to a review from the Saving Country Music website, while the album is described as “elemental” and “uninspired at times”, it’s acknowledged that “is not a bad album at all. There’s not a single song or moment on it that will feel offensive to a country fan’s ears. In fact, when you settle in with it, it goes along just fine.”
Personally, I conclude that while the songs on Ringo Starr’s album (mostly composed by producer T Bone Burnett), sound relatively basic, this simplicity might well be part of its charm. And as for Ringo, beyond his limited vocal talent, there are unique nuances he conveys with his voice, this wise artist who, at 84, has lived a unique life. The feeling of hearing him sing would hardly fail to bring a smile to the listener’s face.
