Ringo Starr - Give More Love album review

Another all-Starr affair

Cover art for Ringo Starr - Give More Love album

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Ringo – he was in The Beatles, y’know – intended this to be a country album, but he changed his mind and got into full-blown rock mode. Well, almost. And the results are pretty good.

He kicks off with a statement of intent, softwareuiphraseguid=“5bc199a5-4271-489e-b0f5-2b5fe0162316”>We’re On The Road Again, and sounds energised having Paul McCartney by his side, while guitarist Steve Lukather turns in a performance that would certainly wake up the old folks’ home. Macca returns for the nostalgic Show Me The Way, which is a bit gloopy, but Ringo doesn’t sound like he’s phoned-in the sincerity.

Famous names abound: Peter Frampton and his talkbox, Benmont Tench, Dave Stewart – that level of dude. Inevitably they’re not reinventing the wheel, yet it’s still good to hear Ringo’s non-voice (heavily treated), and his drumming skills are undiminished. Back Off Boogaloo and Photograph get reasonable makeovers without troubling the originals, but there are surprises; You Can’t Fight Lightning is played by Alberta Cross and they provide the album’s best moment.

Max Bell

Max Bell worked for the NME during the golden 70s era before running up and down London’s Fleet Street for The Times and all the other hot-metal dailies. A long stint at the Standard and mags like The Face and GQ kept him honest. Later, Record Collector and Classic Rock called.