Beatles & Solo Ultimate Album Ranking: Ringo Starr (Part 1)

[@timmdoolen5041]

I'm so glad that you took the extra few weeks to get to all the Ringo albums. It's no secret that he's the 4th best vocalist and songwriter from his old band, but I still find bits of brilliance on every single one of his albums. Thanks so much for this extremely comprehensive review. I actually wish you would have slowed the pace and made it a 3-parter. I guess you still can if you like. But the breaking point you chose is good since he had a 9-year gap between studio albums from 1983-92.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

Photograph back off Boogaloo zoom in are my favourites I do like Ringos music I really like his voice hope this doesn’t sound daft I find his voice comforting enjoyed this very much thanks Andrew

[@paulotapadas4648]

Ringo Rama was the last one I bought from Ringo. I stopped after that one. Thanks a lot for reviewing the most recent ones.

[@jimmybonar2566]

The truth is that if Ringo was not an ex Beatle then most of these recordings would not even see the light of day. Are we expecting musical statements or just happy to accept that 'it's a Ringo album?' l've been praying for years that he'd make a deeply personal and unique album that doesn't feature 'rock royalty', 'peace and love' mantras and people around him indulging their fantasies pretending they're recording The Beatles. Saying all that, I do enjoy 'Time Takes Time' and 'Choose Love'. And if it ever happened, I would love to produce a session with Ringo, but on my own musical and production terms. Enjoyed your video Andrew, thank you.

[@jake2963]

"It's cheesier than my Christmas Stilton and Wensleydale selection." LOL!!! Can't wait for your review of Dylan's Christmas album. Thanks very much for doing this. I confess I haven't heard any of these, but the top 3 on your list sound great. I'll definitely check them out.

[@milosit]

Andrew - I so much look forward to these episodes. They're fun, surprising at times, but educational (for me at least). Thank you so much for taking the time to do them. Made my day.

[@TheSchemel]

I enjoy the Christmas album. Yes, there are better version of certain songs, but it's Ringo. I don't buy a Ringo album hoping it's going to be a great album, like I would a McCartney album. But I do enjoy most of Ringo's music. The Christmas album is a fun record

[@davecostello560]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the noughties onwards albums, but you could still make an excellent greatest hits part two from the last 40 years, as there are always a few lovely songs popping up here and there - King of Broken Hearts, with that heart melting George slide part, Walk with You, which seems to be celebrating the love between Paul and Ringo, In my Car and Picture Show Life from Old Wave, to name a few. And Time Takes Time is just wonderful - more people should know it!

[@skee19]

Vertical Man, Ringo Rama, Liverpool 8, Postcards , Choose Love and Time Takes Time all very good records in my humble opinion! Vertical in his top 5

[@debjorgo]

Ringo got permission to sing the Let 'Em In lines. He asked Paul and Paul said to go through his publishers. Ringo said "I don't want to go through your publisher. They'll tell me no. I'm asking you." Paul gave him the okay.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Ha, excellent! 👍

[@Phillyhillbilly]

Another Wow. I guess we are stuck in the 60's. Completely ignorant of the many Ringo albums. Our wealthy neighbor gifted us tickets to Ringo for our anniversary because we went to Liverpool and never saw a live Beatle, ever. The show was spectacular because the All Starr Band were first rate stars alone. Now, I have much research to do after watching the rest of these videos. BTW, the show had no warm-up or encore - straight two hours of rock and roll.

[@reactivearmour5126]

Back Off Boogaloo is my favorite Ringo song!

[@MeanMrMayo]

Love it!

[@juliahartley-barnes975]

Not my favorite, that would be Photograph, but I do love Back Off… 🎉

[@fourthtunz]

Great songs I’ll add oh my my and the no no song

[@lukasiguess]

Brian Wilson sings backing vocals on In A Heartbeat!

[@allanmorton6022]

I only have vertical man out of these albums. I recall when it was released Ringo said it was his Sgt pepper album as he clearly thought it was his peak. Will be interesting once you get to the 70s albums.

[@thecomiccollector2020]

I'm glad you enjoyed ringorama it's a real hidden gem of an album,there's a making of documentary that comes on a bonus disc you should check out too

[@markbowen6623]

That is Brian Wilson doing some of the backing vocals on In a Heartbeat from Time Takes Time - although it doesn't particularly sound like him.

[@juzzy4683]

Great work Andrew! I've always had a completist love for Ringos albums. Being a Beatle lover since my teens in the 80s I've hunted down all his albums.

[@WillKlinger]

Andrew, thanks so much for this! I felt like I was starting to get burned out on my Beatles/Paul obsession of late, and diving in to Ringo's solo catalog, per this video, has really reinvigorated me and just made me so happy these past few days. Cheers!

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Great to hear, thanks! 👍

[@starshiptrooper7670]

I have to be honest. I only have two. The last "best of" which came with a DVD. The second is Ringo Rama. I bought Rama because I had to have Never Without You. To my delight, I discovered the entire cd is great! Andrew, at about 6:05 you mention a medical elixir (?) to speed things up. What is that stuff exactly? Yeah, I'm American. Thx man.

[@astrosjer822]

Every Ringo album has at least a few gems!

[@chesterfreeze]

I love Ringo. Vertical Man, Ringorama are my top two. But all his albums are enjoyable if you look at it like you’re spending 45-60 minutes with Ringo and his friends. It’s less about the music than it is hanging out and enjoying the company. He gives off happiness.

[@danny1959]

Ringo Rama is my favorite Ringo album of the 21st century. The ones he's made since Mark Hudson left him are okay, but suffer from a bit of sameness.

[@stationminute]

Thanks for doing this deep dive into Ringo's catalog. You inspired me to give another listen to Ringo Rama and Vertical Man... and yeah, those albums are actually pretty decent, much better than I remembered, and rise above the "sameness" that has plagued Ringo's third act. Ringo needs to take more chances with his recordings.

[@adrianmist6681]

Andrew, I think you deserve a medal for going through all of Ringo's albums and ranking them. I'm a great Beatles fan but I confess that I only own 3 of Ringo's albums. I mentioned before that I wasn't in favour of comparing solo albums with with The Beatles catalogue, I wonder how many people share my view? However, I will listen to your arguments when the time comes and accept that we all have different views.

[@danielk2829]

So glad you are doing this. Ringo is better than just a drummer. Great to focus on him. Vertical man and ringorama, choose love are my fav from post 90s and love his version of little drummer boy!

[@danielk2829]

Also don’t forget 3 of his key live albums and a “kids” album. Live at soundstage, VH1 Storyteller (which includes why he did love me do!). Scouse to mouse (love this and played to my kids when they were young) and ringo starr and his all star band!

[@Greg_vmp]

Great video Andrew as usual. If not for this, I would probably have not listened to most of these records, but I will. Ringo owes you 😁👍

[@moko8237]

Cool video!

[@markbowen6623]

Great work. You're a brave man listening to all those Ringo albums!

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

I do these things so others don't have to! 😉👍

[@MIB_63]

Interesting rankings. Personally I would have ranked What's My Name higher which IMHO is one of his best latter day albums.

[@sharonevans6864]

Andrew, thanks so much for your time invested in Ringo music through the years. I must say I have never heard 70 % of the ones you reviewed but after hearing your opinion I might pick up several of them. Looking forward to how this all ends up. Take care!

[@joedee9811]

Just got back from seeing Ringo in Atlantic City tonight, so this video is the perfect watch afterwards. So glad he’s still out there doing what he does (along with Paul) And I’ll always have a soft spot for the Ringo Rama album as it was the first solo Ringo album I bought and got signed at an autograph signing in nyc, so I see that cover every day as it’s framed on my wall

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Was the show good last night?

[@andreaschlapek780]

My Ringo Favorite is VH1 Storytellers and RINGO. But i have to say, Free your Soul from EP3 is fire!!

[@timshearn8203]

Thank you Andrew for these videos, so enjoyable and a real labour of love!

[@paulaelizabethg]

This is the ranking Olympics! 👏 Well done! From this I realized I know nothing about Ringos releases since the 1970s. (I kind of knew that already, but this video proved it.) I will go check out a few of your picks. And I love Back Off Boogaloo. 😄

[@jamesdean9183]

He also recorded an album at Sun Studios in Memphis, but apparently shelved it. I want it to be released ASAP😂

[@erniericardo8140]

is this the one that contains Ringo's version of -I Can Help by Billy Swan???

[@jamesdean9183]

@@erniericardo8140 I’m not really sure. I just remember while I was visiting Sun Studio the tour guide told me that Ringo Starr had recorded nearly an entire album there but it had been shelved.

[@Uetti]

Yes, it was recorded in 1987 with Chips Moman producing, and it's rumored that Bob Dylan was a guest singer in one of its songs. The album was about to be released in 1989 by Moman but Ringo, after a court action, blocked its release and bought from Moman the tapes in order to never publish it. Ringo, who by 1989 had sober up, was allegedly embarrassed by this album for how much he was drunk while recording it, he thought it was sub-standard

[@jamesdean9183]

@@Uetti that’s awesome, I didn’t know all that about it. On my visit to Sun Studio I asked about the Ringo album and the tour guide said that Ringo was just unsatisfied with the results and shelved it, but didn’t go into details.

[@christiandoll4435]

Ringo's albums are mostly uneven in his career. But you can definitely pull-out a 30-40 songs worth compilation album.

[@markransome7052]

really enjoyed listening to this, haven't got Time takes Time, might give it a go from your review. Will be interesting to hear your views on Ringo's earlier albums, particularly Stop and Smell The Roses, with the great George Harrison gem Wrack My Brain on it, and who can forget See the Pyramids across the Nile!!

[@mcl2462]

Always loved the album “Vertical Man”!!

[@christinerose9941]

Thank you Andrew for this task Ringos catalogue is quite extensive there are many live albums + greatest hits albums as well in the mix I have carefully noted your list for part 1 looking forward to part 2 , Will October bring any news of a pending release box set from Macca ?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

No news yet on a Paul release but that could all change any time!

[@williambowers2820]

The Christmas album is great. I can’t figure out why people don’t connect to it.

[@davidjackson5449]

Well done Andrew for getting through Ringo's albums. Afraid Ringo is definately the 4th Beatle and I really have only ever collected his albums due to his membership of the group . As you say, nothing bad but nothing particularly great either. Your right, Photograph is Ringo's masterpiece and Time takes Time is, apart from Ringo album, in my view his best album

[@anthonycraig1458]

Great review, wouldn't disagree with any of the rankings apart from Choose Love which I would probably put higher, a personal favourite of mine. I do think Ringo's albums changed (not always for the better) after he split from Mark Hudson but they've always been enjoyable whilst not being overly memorable! Overall though it was great to have Ringo making good music again from the 90s onwards and watching this is a good excuse to revisit some more recent albums I've not played in ages, keep the videos coming!

[@MeanMrMayo]

Very intriguing rundown, Andrew - glad you've undertaken this task. Since it's all subjective, of course I have some disagreements. I would place TIME TAKES TIME as my #1, with WHAT'S MY NAME at #2. Looking forward to the next video.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Hi Joe, that kick up the back side you rightly gave me a year or so back over Ringo is definitely an influence on the taks I've saddled myself with here!

[@melissabrown2109]

I had a strange dream about Ringo recently,tied in with him unfortunately having to cancel the rest of his recent tour,due to him getting covid. My Dad had bought tickets,we were going to see him but woke up before finding out whether we got there or not,to find out that Ringo's concert had been cancelled.

[@SpaceCattttt]

""What's My Name?" looks like a picture of Ringo superimposed over David Bowie's "Blackstar"...

[@paul5969]

You guys are something else . I thought I was a massive Beatles fan , huge actually but to sift thru all of ringos albums then well done I could not go thru that

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

I do these things so others don't have to! 😉👍

[@paul5969]

@@AndrewDixonMusic lol good man

[@yanribeirocosta2192]

I think you should listen the extra tracks of Vertical Man, i really like them. What's my name perhaps you could give another chance.

[@jasonwhiton174]

Just now catching up with this one. Great fun and I tend to have similar experiences with the various albums here (and in the George video). Why not include VH1 Storytellers? That was a fave of mine when it came out. And maybe not enough to sway you, but Back off Boogaloo was a rockin' version!

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Hi Andrew I would appear that EMI are putting out a forthcoming documentary called, Paul Mccartney: Wings of a Beatle? Sorry as this is not Ringo related but I thought it worth mentioning. Maybe you know something about it. There is a promo on the official EMI youtube page. Cheers

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Thanks, I'll have a look, hadn't heard of this!

[@ArtbyJoeH]

I believe someone felt so strongly about Ringo saying he was no longer keen on returning to Liverpool resulted in him losing his head from a tree-hedge sculpture of the Fab 4 in a park !

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

😄

[@melissabrown2109]

It's not such a difficult job,getting properly acquainted with Ringo's work,it would have been a pleasure.

[@BeatleJohn813]

Hi Andrew , just thought you should know , Mary McCartney’s new documentary on abbey road studios , is coming soon to Disney plus , so keep an eye out .

[@juliahartley-barnes975]

Andrew, I really enjoyed this vid. Can’t wait for part 2. I think a lot of people that are not true fans of The Beatles probably don’t even know Ringo has this much recordings out there. You’re right, (usually are) about EP3, the last sing is wonderful. Ringo has quite a few excellent albums. Looking forward to what you think about Ringo’s first 4 LPs. Very different from the newer stuff, but oh so good. Didn’t Ringo take like 9 years off between albums? I think it was between Old Wave and Time Takes Time? Know anything about why?

[@feber16]

I would guess that alcohol was a big reason - at least until 1988 when he stopped drinking. He may have wanted to take an extra year or two after the sober up process to get back to recording.

[@yanribeirocosta2192]

He was alcoholic, John was killed, his last album was a flop and wasn't even released in the Us and Uk, nobody wanted. So I think he stopped caring.

[@timmdoolen5041]

I can't account for all the years, but he did record an album in 1987 that was never released, and then from 1989 on, he seemed to be focused on touring with the All-Starr Band. As mentioned above, he also didn't have a major label willing to release his albums. In fact, his 1983 album Old Wave was not released in the USA initially, and didn't appear there until the CD release in 1994.

[@juliahartley-barnes975]

@@timmdoolen5041 I’ll never really understand why they just didn’t put their music out on Apple Records. Apple still exists, why did every one of the Beatles use other record labels. Thanks for the replies!

[@timmdoolen5041]

@@juliahartley-barnes975 Apple is a record label but not a distributor. For most of its existence, Apple recordings were distributed by EMI. In 1976 the contract between EMI and Apple ended. Ringo's greatest hits in 1976 was the last album released by Apple until 1994 with Beatles Live at the BBC. Also, Apple and EMI were involved in a long drawn out lawsuit for the entire 1980s. So Apple wasn't an option for him in 1983, sadly.

[@rocingersol847]

With you 100% re the look and the name of Ringo Rama. It was the last one I listened to, so was pretty much Ringoed out I think! Will try to listen to it again, Time Takes Time is easily my favourite out of this selection of Ringo fun. Plus, I'm glad I chose not to include any live albums in my listing, spared me EVEN more Ringo fun!

[@bruni2711]

So glad I’m not the only one to rank Ringo Rama as among his very best. If you can hunt town the EP single CD with extra songs, it’s worth it. Great video and fair reviews as always. Thanks for these. Great series!

[@jasondurnell1169]

Hello Andrew! I agree with Ringorama, Vertical Man and Time Takes Time being the best of this group of albums. Will you include Live at Soundstage or any of the All Starr Band live albums?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Hi Jason, the first all Starr Band live album will be first up in part 2! 👍

[@jasondurnell9202]

Great to hear! I look forward to it!

[@andrewbowman4611]

As someone who thinks the Mark Hudson era of Ringo's career something of a nadir, it's interesting that Ringo Rama as reached the top. It is a good album overall, I'm not sure where I would have put it. The problem is I haven't heard either Vertical Man or I Wanna Be Santa Claus, so I don't know where they would fit either. I'm looking forward to hearing your views on Ringo's 70s and 80s output. Personally, I think his three albums from the late 70s (Scouse the Mouse excluded, as I haven't heard that one, either) are better than their reputation would suggest. The thing about Ringo is there's always a couple of tracks where you think 'that's great'. Which is arguably where the EPs fall down: not enough greatness on them individually. Compiled together as an album though, they might be a more worthwhile listen. Might be worth trying, with a bit of resequencing here and there.

[@quiricomazarin476]

Vertical man is good...Santa Claus is very very good

[@timmdoolen5041]

Also, it might have been nice to put all 3 of the recent EPs together and call it one album, since there's no way any of them had a chance to compete on their own. But even if you had done that, I'm guessing it still would have hovered near the bottom along with What's My Name.

[@ste.6026]

Good to see someone tackling Ringo's solo output... I swallowed my naive perception that Ringo was just a joke about three years ago and seriously dug into his discography, I was more than surprised, it was a mixed bag, 40-50% was not that good and very underwhelming but the highs in my opinion match many other more critically acclaimed artists, George, Paul & John it's not, it's Ringo staying mostly in his comfort zone (Country, R 'n' R & 12 Bar) surrounded by quality musicians and to be honest that's how I want him... It works for Ringo... My pick so far 'Ringo Rama', 'Liverpool 8', 'Time Takes Time' & 'Y Not'... As yet I have not heard the EP's...

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

A summary not far from my own!

[@ste.6026]

🙂

[@paulmyatt2991]

I very much prefer 'Time Takes Time' to 'Vertical Man' as I consider the former to be more consistent with a few genuinely moving songs and no dud tracks. I cannot comment on 'Ringorama' as I don't own a copy - the cover put me off!! It is a shame the x3 EP's are at the bottom of your list - listening to them back-to-back makes for a pleasant, undemanding listening experience & I think these could be combined into a half-decent album. Great video. Thank you. I will buy some more of his albums after watching this.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

"the cover put me off" I'm glad you said that, proving my theory, it just really cheapens the album I think, strange decision to have that as the cover!

[@feber16]

My guess is that the next 5 albums are going to have very low rankings. I bought three of them on vinyl really cheap ($2.00) used in the last several years. Bad Boy, Stop and Smell the Roses, and Rotogravure. I listenned to them once or twice many years ago, but not impressed enough to play again. From what I remember, Bad Boy was the least liked of the three. I like Vertical Man and Time Takes Time quite a bit. I recently listened to Ringo Rama on Spotify a couple of times in anticipation of your review. That was pretty good - will listen to it again. I think I would choose GoodNight Vienna as my favorite. I need to play "Ringo" again to weigh them against each other.

[@ricardo_miguel13]

Choose Love is a fusion of Drive My Car and Taxman

[@mrsbluesky8415]

I love Back Off Boogaloo! It’s so funky and spacey at the same time. Ringo in the 70s was great and even now I enjoy some tunes.

[@fabfour4099]

When your done, how about the Ringo’s Best Songs Cd list - his finest 70 minutes (not necessarily hits)?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Good idea thanks!

[@TheSchemel]

Hi Andrew, hey I don't want to sound stupid, but what do you mean by auto tune his voice

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

The auto tune software used to bring "wayward" singing back in tune. If it's used too heavy handedly it distorts the vocals in a very distinctive way and make them sound very processed rather than natural.

[@TheSchemel]

@@AndrewDixonMusic How can you tell he is using it?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@TheSchemel Easiest way to spot its use is when it's done in a very exaggerated way as a deliberate effect, e.g parts of Paul McCartney's song Get Enough or Believe by Cher. Ringo isn't using it to that extent but the voice sounds more like it's been run through a computer program to lock the voice to the notes he's supposed to be singing and leaves it sounding unnatural

[@TheSchemel]

@@AndrewDixonMusic OK, now I know what you are talking about. I never liked that. That McCartney song is horrible in my opinion

[@tijnonline6807]

That means a computer will bring his voice to the right tone where he didn't sing the right tone himself, which always sounds a bit robotic.

[@timbrownrigg5217]

Do you know the band Jellyfish? They assisted in time takes time. If you havent heard them, I STRONGLY suggest you check them out. I know for a fact youd love them .

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

I've heard of them but don't know any of their stuff. Is there a particular album you'd recommend as a starting point?

[@timbrownrigg5217]

@@AndrewDixonMusic there are only 2. Bellybutton and spilt milk. Both are absolutely incredible. I dont wanna hype them too much. You have to just check them out. Trust me. 2 of the members now back for Beck when he tours.

[@bilguana11]

Do I recall correctly that, shortly before his assassination, John Lennon said that he would go to L.A. to produce a Ringo Album? I might have read that in the LA Times. Ringo's worst was "Old Wave" with Joe Walsh. I have a 3-song Best Buy bonus EP that came with "Vertical Man":

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Don't know about John but that seems feasible. Also heavily claimed that he was expecting to work with Paul in 1981.

[@Uetti]

Well, it's partially true. John was due to work with Ringo, that is true, but it wasn't to produce an entire album. John was enlisted to help Ringo on what became Stop And Smell The Roses: Starr had already asked some of his friends to produce some songs for him, like Ronnie Wood, Harry Nilsson and, most notably, his old pals George and Paul. Having worked with the other two, Ringo turned his attention to John who, in a meeting in New York just a few weeks before his passing told Richie that he was game and proceeded to write 2/3 songs for him (Nobody Told Me was expected to be one of those). Actually it is rumored that John should have been in Los Angeles the week of December 8th but the studio Ringo wanted to work in was already booked so the sessions were postponed to January 1981… The even saddest part is that many sources, including John's producer Jack Douglas, claim that John and Paul had secretly agreed to return to work together on those January 1981 Ringo sessions 😢

[@TheSchemel]

Vertical Man is Ringo's best in many years. I really love that album

[@michavandam]

Please, make sure the albums in the background are standing straight in future videos!

[@someguyorfemaleontheintern5837]

I WANNA BE SANTA CLAUS is the best album of all time. Definitely not a bad rubbish album that i hate 😤. LOVE THE ALBUM. Edit: My brother wrote this comment I HATE THE ALBUM. The end

[@MeanMrMayo]

It's fun enough, if not great. At least it bears the distinction of being the one and only full scale Beatles Christmas album.

[@quiricomazarin476]

Is a very fun good lp..

[@phillipanderson7398]

He should have saved that cover photo for EP number 4.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

He's been great for the last 25 years......

[@trevordixon1427]

Photograph my fave

[@ZaZaTofuHumperdink]

I think the recording of Don't Pass Me By on Give More Love is the definitive version of the song. Better than the Beatles!

[@bobf.5538]

my choices Ringo time takes time vertical Man what's my Name

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Never heard choose love or ringo-rama

[@Uetti]

Ringo Rama is a bloody masterpiece for me, on par with 1973's Ringo

[@patriksweden9203]

video!

[@stereofidelic67]

Hi Andrew, type in JASON TOYN into KZbin and tell me if you think this is legit?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Not sure I'm convinced by the isolated vocals stuff (could be a home made edit withebthe right software?) But Paperback Writer take 1 seems to sound authentic.

[@stereofidelic67]

@@AndrewDixonMusic on 2nd listen they sound a bit home-made de-mixed. Could be wrong though.