Ringo (1973 album)

Let's review Ringo's musical work up to this first "proper" album. A cover of 40's standards Sentimental Journey (including the title Doris Day song) and then an equally radical swing at country all in the same year 1970 (the year the Beatles broke up no less). So far Beatle fans could be worried that not all 4 Beatles will continue success as solo artists, but luckily with Candy and The Magic Christian (not to mention A Hard Day's Night and Help!) it seemed Ringo had a consolation prize to fame. Spaghetti western Blindman and Zappa's freaky art flick 200 Motels followed and though that sounds bad Ringo had meanwhile recorded two singles in 1971/1972 that suggested a musical career was still in his grasp. First the gold single and timeless classic "It Don't Come Easy" backed with the quirky autobiographical "Early 1970." Then for the Speghetti western he wrote a tune "Blindman" used as a b-side to "Back Off Bugaloo." What was great was all 4 songs were written solely by Ringo and they were album worthy. So for 1973 Ringo got some celebrities, notably John, Paul and George (yes a reunion kinda) to help make 10 songs to complete an album. Unfortunately the four aforementioned tunes would remain non-album tracks until a greatest hits or bonus selection edition of the studio albums would be made. The good news the original songs put on held a masterfully put together album with so much to pull from and Ringo delivering it on his own. To relate John who would continue to write for Ringo when requested gave the great opener "I'm The Greatest" (following albums would have "Goodnight Vienna" "Cooking (In The Kitchen Of Love)" and the songs "Life Begins At 40" and "Nobody Told Me" for the album that would become Stop And Smell The Roses, but sadly John's death made it too somber and sad a tone for Ringo to sing). Paul wrote "Six O'Clock" a sweet unconventional love song (Paul would later write "Pure Gold" and "Private Property" for Ringo) and George with the bulk of help cowriting with Ringo the number one classic "Photograph" and also the songs "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)" and the tight closer "You And Me (Babe)." George also would continue to write for Ringo although notable another Stop And Smell The Roses outtake would be a casualty as the reminiscent "All Those Years Ago" would likewise be too somber for Ringo giving George a hit with it instead. 3 other Ringo tunes besides "Photograph" appeared mostly co-written with Vini Poncia (who became a favored writing partner) "Oh My My" "Step Lightly" and "Devil Woman" mostly tight rocker songs "Step Lightly" was kind of soft shoe all 3 were good. The seemingly random rambling of this post shows the depth of this corner point in Ringo's career and emphasize why it is a must have album if for nothing else historical reasons, but that aside what history lead up to this also made it great and Ringo's formula for success was found which says something important about the quality of this album.