Ringo Starr Ringo's Rotogravure CD

Personnel: Ringo Starr (vocals, drums); Jesse Ed Davis (guitar); "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow (pedal steel guitar); George Young, Michael Brecker, Lou Marini (tenor saxophone); Lewis Delgatto (baritone saxophone); Alan Rubin, Alan Young (trumpet); John Jarvis, Jane Getz (piano, keyboards); Arif Marden (electric piano); George Devens (marimba); Klaus Voorman, Cooker Lo Presti, Will Lee (bass); George Devens (conga); Jim Keltner (drums); Robert Greenidge (steel drums); King Errisson (percussion).
Background vocals: Duitch Helmer, Joe Bean, Vini Poncia, The Mad Mauries, Linda McCartney, David Lasley, Joe Bean, The "Fab" Harry.
Additional guest artists: Jim Keltner, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker.
The formula that had worked for Ringo and Goodnight Vienna was followed again on Ringo Starr's Atlantic Records debut. Arif Mardin replaced Richard Perry in the producer's chair, but he hewed to the bouncy, eclectic pop style Perry had pioneered for Ringo, and the drummer called in such name help as Peter Frampton, Dr. John, Melissa Manchester, the Brecker Brothers, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Eric Clapton. The last three all contributed songs, too, as did George Harrison. As usual, there was an oldie, Bruce Channel's "Hey Baby," which came out as a single, as did the leadoff track, "A Dose of Rock & Roll." The latter was the only Top 40 hit, as the times seemed to be passing by Starr's happy-go-lucky style. Or maybe it was just time for a new formula. ~ William Ruhlmann
More guest Beatles and others, but not a single song stands out. ~ Jeff Tamarkin
For his Atlantic Records debut, Ringo tried to duplicate the critical and commercial success of RINGO and GOODNIGHT VIENNA by drawing on the talents of many of the same guest musicians who were featured on those albums. There are many highlights, including "Cookin' (In The Kitchen of Love)," an upbeat John Lennon song that features a playful Lennon on piano and backing vocals and "I'll Still Love You," a dark, haunting pop song that was written by George Harrison. Other celebrity guests who drop in to help their old pal Ringo include Paul McCartney, who wrote and performed on the ballad "Pure Gold" and Eric Clapton, who wrote and played on the breezy pop rocker "This Be Called A Song." Lesser known tracks like the thumping, laid-back rocker "Dose of Rock and Roll" and an energetic version of the sixties R&B hit "Hey Baby" ensure that ROTOGRAVURE is entertaining from start to finish.