CD Description
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 Fourdrummer 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's David Gilmour plays guitar on the aforementioned "Missouri" and raucous "I Think Therefore I Rock & Roll", legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden appears on the heartfelt "Imagine Me There", and Shawn Colvin pops up on the catchy "Trippin' On My Own Tears".