I always look forward to these posts and I am never disappointed. And also I always bring up the album your discussing and relive it for a while. This IS a good album.
Just had a first listen through of Ringo's new Look Up album. For my money its his best since the mid 1970s. Quite shocked really because I didn't expect much. His voice lends itself more to country and western than other music genres. Its a fun album and quite unexpectedly good this late in the day.
Shortly after it was first released, I ordered an imported copy of this album from my local record store in New York State. My memory is it was a Canadian pressing and I think the label was Casablanca (a division of Warner Brothers, the studio which made the movie CASABLANCA.) Anyway, I learned about it because Ringo mentioned the album on one of the major talk shows. I think it was THE TONIGHT SHOW. He said he’d lost his record contract and that this meant OLD WAVE was only being released outside the US. When I got the record, I was quite surprised at how much it rocked. It sounded essentially live, and I still think it is the one Ringo album which allows us to hear his chops as a drummer. He’s in very good voice. Even if he was without a record contract in the US I really think he should have performed some of these songs on TV at the time. It is that good. A record that is consistently crisp and refreshing for one and a half sides is rare enough in an album which sells. Maybe it should have been billed as an album by a duo: Ringo Starr and Joe Walsh.
On my recent trip to Paris, I got the 2 recent picture discs.... Surprisingly enough, "Old Wave" has been getting more and more re-releases in recent years (on both LP and CD) to the point it's not that rare anymore!!! "I keep forgettin" is my favourite track here!!! Nice review, John...
“City to City” is one terrific album. It is said that Gerry Rafferty had perfect pitch. “Right Down The Line” has always been my favorite track from the album. A troubled artist at times but there’s no denying his talent. He’s missed.
Nice review on Ringo's Old Wave I really enjoy this album hard to believe no record company wanted to sign Ringo to a record deal Capitol records should have had Ringo on there label! Nice photo of Ringo! Happy New Year! Hope 2025 brings us lots of Beatles stuff!
Happy New Year, John. I am delighted you took the time to purchase and review Ringo's Old Wave album. Being from Canada, I did purchase the Canadian RCA black label. Smith Falls, Ontario pressing. It's great vinyl and sounds superb. I enjoyed at the time of release the album very much. I thought at the time, Ringo Starr is rockin' with Joe Walsh and what a delight with Eric Clapton. There are great collector's records by Ringo Starr and I can't wait to buy the new Country music album. Thanks for sharing, John.
Everytime I go into a used record store now, i see copies of Ringo the 4th, Ringo's Rotogravure, Bad Boy, Stop and Smell the Roses.... everybody wants me to have those albums! Rotogravure is the only one I own - an underrated album IMO, but the others I have no desire to own .
Another interesting review. You made reference to gold on brown text being difficult to read. I have a form of colour blindness and I’m surprised at how much of that kind of marketing mistake is out there. The most common in my experience is red writing on black backgrounds or vise versa (especially on CD’s). Shutting out potentially 10% of your customers seems a strange marketing strategy.
Re Stop And Smell The Roses , I think "you've got a nice way" is a superb track . Was it released as a single ? I don't think Ringo plays drums on She's About a Mover ? (might be wrong)
Actually,, the original “Old Wave” came out in 9 countries: 1. Canada 2. Mexico 3. Brazil 4. Germany 5. Japan 6. Australia 7. New Zealand 8. Spain 9. South Africa I’m on a quest to get a copy from each country. I’ve always been a fan of this album. I bought the original Canadian pressing at Beatlefest in 1983. Paid $6.00 for it. Favorite tracks: 1. In My Car 2. She’s About A Mover (I can do without the silly Dixieland horn solo) 3. Picture Show Life 4. As Far As We Can Go (I love how Joe Walsh transformed this track with that cool early 80s synthesizer). I have a few singles from “Old Wave”: 1. In My Car / As Far As We Can Go (Germany) - Funny thing about this 45…. As the flip side fades, a very quick snippet of the following song on the album bursts out (“Everybody’s In A Hurry But Me”). Weird. 2. In My Car / She’s About A Mover (USA) - 1994 issue on orange vinyl to promote the first CD release of the album. 3. I Keep Forgettin’ / Shes About A Mover (Mexico)
I always look forward to these posts and I am never disappointed. And also I always bring up the album your discussing and relive it for a while. This IS a good album.
Just had a first listen through of Ringo's new Look Up album. For my money its his best since the mid 1970s. Quite shocked really because I didn't expect much. His voice lends itself more to country and western than other music genres. Its a fun album and quite unexpectedly good this late in the day.
His best album for years.
I have never heard this but keen to listen. I love Joe Walsh
Best song is 'Picture Show Life'
I've never listened to this album, but I need to give it a try after your excellent review. Thanks for sharing John.
Shortly after it was first released, I ordered an imported copy of this album from my local record store in New York State. My memory is it was a Canadian pressing and I think the label was Casablanca (a division of Warner Brothers, the studio which made the movie CASABLANCA.) Anyway, I learned about it because Ringo mentioned the album on one of the major talk shows. I think it was THE TONIGHT SHOW. He said he’d lost his record contract and that this meant OLD WAVE was only being released outside the US. When I got the record, I was quite surprised at how much it rocked. It sounded essentially live, and I still think it is the one Ringo album which allows us to hear his chops as a drummer. He’s in very good voice. Even if he was without a record contract in the US I really think he should have performed some of these songs on TV at the time. It is that good. A record that is consistently crisp and refreshing for one and a half sides is rare enough in an album which sells. Maybe it should have been billed as an album by a duo: Ringo Starr and Joe Walsh.
Happy new year John love the review .
Good to see you back, John. Happy new year!
On my recent trip to Paris, I got the 2 recent picture discs.... Surprisingly enough, "Old Wave" has been getting more and more re-releases in recent years (on both LP and CD) to the point it's not that rare anymore!!! "I keep forgettin" is my favourite track here!!! Nice review, John...
“City to City” is one terrific album. It is said that Gerry Rafferty had perfect pitch. “Right Down The Line” has always been my favorite track from the album. A troubled artist at times but there’s no denying his talent. He’s missed.
I love City to City and Night Owl, and Stealers Wheel.
Nice review on Ringo's Old Wave I really enjoy this album hard to believe no record company wanted to sign Ringo to a record deal Capitol records should have had Ringo on there label! Nice photo of Ringo! Happy New Year! Hope 2025 brings us lots of Beatles stuff!
Chris Stainton played regularly with Joe Cocker as well!
And, having listened again, I really enjoyed side 2 even though side 1 is indeed stronger.
Happy New Year, John. I am delighted you took the time to purchase and review Ringo's Old Wave album. Being from Canada, I did purchase the Canadian RCA black label. Smith Falls, Ontario pressing. It's great vinyl and sounds superb. I enjoyed at the time of release the album very much. I thought at the time, Ringo Starr is rockin' with Joe Walsh and what a delight with Eric Clapton. There are great collector's records by Ringo Starr and I can't wait to buy the new Country music album. Thanks for sharing, John.
Happy New Year John ❤
Everytime I go into a used record store now, i see copies of Ringo the 4th, Ringo's Rotogravure, Bad Boy, Stop and Smell the Roses.... everybody wants me to have those albums! Rotogravure is the only one I own - an underrated album IMO, but the others I have no desire to own .
I love these albums.
Another interesting review. You made reference to gold on brown text being difficult to read. I have a form of colour blindness and I’m surprised at how much of that kind of marketing mistake is out there. The most common in my experience is red writing on black backgrounds or vise versa (especially on CD’s). Shutting out potentially 10% of your customers seems a strange marketing strategy.
Re Stop And Smell The Roses , I think "you've got a nice way" is a superb track . Was it released as a single ? I don't think Ringo plays drums on She's About a Mover ? (might be wrong)
I actually like “as far as we can go”
My hope for 2025 is that Free As Bird and Real Love will be remixed using Peter Jackson's voice isolation technology.
Happy New Year, John. Great review of an underrated album. (She's About A Mover is 1965.)
I don't think we'll see London Town and Back to the Egg until their 50th anniversaries.
Thank you, john
Actually,, the original “Old Wave” came out in 9 countries:
1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Brazil
4. Germany
5. Japan
6. Australia
7. New Zealand
8. Spain
9. South Africa
I’m on a quest to get a copy from each country.
I’ve always been a fan of this album. I bought the original Canadian pressing at Beatlefest in 1983. Paid $6.00 for it.
Favorite tracks:
1. In My Car
2. She’s About A Mover (I can do without the silly Dixieland horn solo)
3. Picture Show Life
4. As Far As We Can Go (I love how Joe Walsh transformed this track with that cool early 80s synthesizer).
I have a few singles from “Old Wave”:
1. In My Car / As Far As We Can Go (Germany) - Funny thing about this 45….
As the flip side fades, a very quick snippet of the following song on the album bursts out (“Everybody’s In A Hurry But Me”). Weird.
2. In My Car / She’s About A Mover (USA) - 1994 issue on orange vinyl to promote the first CD release of the album.
3. I Keep Forgettin’ / Shes About A Mover (Mexico)
Thanks for the info…interesting
Boney M title was "Love For Sale". Ringo's album should have been called "Beatle For Sale", because no other reason to buy it.
I always liked Side 1 of this album but Side 2 is forgettable.