VERTICAL MAN

RINGO STARR

Before I listened intently to this album, I was well aware of all the facts and statistics. Ringo’s tenth solo album failed to make the Top 50 on the Billboard Chart in America, and only sold 2,000 copies in his native Britain.

The album was produced by Mark Hudson, co-writer of classic songs including ‘Living On The Edge’ (Aerosmith), ‘Where’s The Love’ (Hanson) and ‘The Reason’ (Celine Dion) to name but a few.

And if that wasn’t enough, the album features a who’s who of the music industry, including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Brian Wilson, Alanis Morrisette, Tom Petty, George Martin, Ozzy Osborne, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), Nils Lofgren (Bruce Springstein’s E Street Band), and Joe Walsh & Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles).

With household names, like the above you’d expect the album to be good, and to give you a clearer picture of what its really like, I’ve reviewed it track by track.

ONE: Not surprisingly, the opening track is called ‘One’. Although it has catchy lyrics and may become a future single it shouldn’t have been the first song you hear when you play this album.

WHAT IN THE…...WORLD: Featuring Paul on bars and backing vocals ‘What In The…..World’ is an upbeat number. It is one of two songs on the album written for his wife Barbara.

MINDFIELD: Ringo comes right up to date with this one. Alanis and Steven Tyler provide the backing vocals and the lyrics are certainly 90’s ‘E-mail, Jump bail, Man becomes a female’. He even reminisces about his Beatle days ’Mystic medicine, Maharishi let us in’. Features an explosive ending.

KING OF BROKEN HEARTS: A real gem, the highlight of the album, featuring George on slide guitar, and what a job he does on it. Should have been the launching single. Hopefully the record company will get their finger out and release it at some stage in the future. Nice happy slow tune.

LOVE ME DO: From the best to the worst. A terrible version that would have John turning in his grave. It features Steven Tyler on harmonica and backing vocals. At least Paul and George had the sense and dignity to stay clear of this one.

VERTICAL MAN: A biographical song, possibly depicting his drinking binges throughout the 80’s. Consisting of heavy drumbeats throughout, the title track also features Ozzy Osborne.

DRIFT AWAY: An excellent version of the Dobie Gray classic. Ringo shares vocals with Alanis and Tom Petty and he even lets Tyler take over drums on this one.

I WAS WALKIN’: Foot-tapping number with Paul adding vocals reminiscent of The Beatles out-takes of the 60’s. One of the weaker tracks.

LA DE DA: You know this one already. The first single to be lifted from the album. A pub singalong song not unlike ‘Hey Jude’. It features everyone including wife Barbara and daughter Lee.

WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING: Features a gospel choir and Beach boys harmonics courtesy of Brian Wilson. Ironically, they get to sing the line ‘No good vibrations’. Weak track.

I’LL BE FINE ANYWAY: A new departure for Ringo as he goes country style. This honky-tonk song is basically a filler. George Harrison provides the only highlight his electric and slide guitar solos.

PUPPET: Another weak track. It’s a fast tapper. Can’t say anymore about it.

I’M YOURS: Dedicated to wife Barbara, ‘I’m Yours’ is Ringo at his best, singing a gentle ballad. Sounds like something I’ve heard before but that’s probably because George Martin does the string arrangements on this one. Ties with ‘King Of Broken Hearts’ as the albums best track.

My overall opinion is that it’s not a bad album. It has some fillers, but then most albums do. One or two possible single releases might highlight it to a wider audience.

By Michael Lynch.

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