Ringo Starr Ringo Rama CD

Initial copies include a limited edition bonus DVD featuring interviews and performance footage.

Then there were two. With George Harrison's passing in November 2001, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney were the only surviving members of the Beatles. Thankfully, Starr chose to press on in a creative manner rather than exiling himself in grief. The result is RINGO RAMA, the second album the Fab Four drummer has worked on with uber-producer Mark Hudson following 1998's VERTICAL MAN. From the outset, Starr weaves the past with the future, making allusions to "It Don't Come Easy" on "Eye to Eye" and bringing in longtime pal Eric Clapton to solo on the poignant Harrison tribute "Never Without You."

Certain Richard Starkey trademarks bubble up throughout, including his famous sense of humor (the double entendre-laden travelogue "Missouri Loves Company") and his love of country music (a twangy "Write One For Me" featuring Willie Nelson). Ringo's rock royalty status ensures plenty of celebrity guests on RINGO RAMA; Pink Floyd

Includes bonus DVD.

Recorded at Whatinthewhatthe? Studio and Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California; Rocca Bella Studio, England.

Personnel includes: Ringo Starr (vocals, acoustic, electric & slide guitars, drums, percussion); Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson (vocals); Gary Burr (acoustic guitar, bass, background vocals); Mark Hudson (electric guitar, Wurlitzer organ, mellotron, keyboards, bass, background vocals); Steve Dudas, Paul Santo (electric guitar, guitar); David Gilmour, Eric Clapton (guitar); Herb Pederson (banjo); Grant Geissmann (dobro); Micky Raphael (bass harmonica); Van Dyke Park (accordion); Dan Higgins (clarinet, saxophone); Gary S. Grant (trumpet); Jim Cox (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Charlie Haden, The Roundheads; Sarah Hudson, Nicole Renee Harris, Christina Rumbley, Mark O'Shea, John O'Shea (background vocals).

Personnel: Ringo Starr (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, keyboards, drums, percussion, background vocals); Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson (vocals); David Gilmour, Eric Clapton (guitar); Mark Hudson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, keyboards, background vocals); Gary Burr (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Cliff Downs, Dean Grakal (acoustic guitar); Paul Santo, Steve Dudas (electric guitar); Gary Nicholson (12-string guitar); Grant Geissman (dobro); Herb Pedersen (banjo); Dan Higgins (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Van Dyke Parks (accordion); Gary Grant (trumpet, piccolo trumpet); Mercy Growl, Roy Orbison (trumpet); Jim Cox (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Charlie Haden (upright bass); Mark O'Shea, Christina Rumbley, Ada Ray, Nicole Renee Harris, John O'Shea, Timothy L. Schmidt, Jack Blades, Victoria Shaw, Sarah Hudson (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Dave Way.

Recording information: Rocca Bella Studio, England; Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA; Whatinthewhatthe? Studio, Los Angeles, CA.

Editors: Brent Carpenter; John Franck.

Photographers: Dean Grakal; Mark Hudson; Ringo Starr; Barbara Starkey.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (5/1/03, p.53) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The arrangements and production often evoke the multitextured funhouse pop of the post-REVOLVER Beatles..."
Rolling Stone (5/1/03, p.53) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The arrangements and production often evoke the multitextured funhouse pop of the post-REVOLVER Beatles..."