47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Get yourself together now, and bring me something tasty, Aug 28 2007
By Tim Brough "author and music buff" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Photograph: The Very Best Of Ringo Starr 1970-2005 (Audio CD)
Proving that The Beatles' fame reached to all four corners of their post-break-up careers, it was lovable lug Ringo who became the most successful solo Beatle early in the game. His 1973 "Ringo" was the first ex-Beatle album to sell massively and had two number one singles, "Photograph" and the cover of "You're 16." His Beatle personality, that of the likeable, easygoing and cheerful everyman, and his light and fun pop made for great hits.
While the first two albums, "Beau-coups of Blues" and "Sentimental Journey," were exercises in style (and there is nothing here from "Journey"), it was the Richard Perry and Vini Pocia produced extravaganzas of "Ringo" and "Goodnight Vienna" that caught the public's fancy. Having all your famous friends and ex-bandmates added an air of spectacle. Elton John was at his 70's peak when he and Bernie Taupin donated "Snookeroo" and the excitement was contagious.
Unfortunately, the excitement was also substance fueled and began to take a toll. Ringo left longtime home Capitol and signed with Atlantic for "Ringo's Rotogravure," which was another star studded affair but lacked any power. "A Dose of Rock and Roll" and a cover of "Hey Baby" are here, but the following albums are completely passed over. Even Ringo, in the liner notes, saying "I can't even tell you if it was a great experience because a lot of it is...gone."
It took Neil Bogart to help Ringo snap out of it, and he signed him to Boardwalk Records. George Harrison wrote "Wrack My Brain" for "Stop and Smell the Roses," becoming Ringo's last US hit. While his All Starr Bands have kept him on the radar, the albums from "Time Takes Time" on have been mostly unheard. Of the remaining songs, his tribute to George Harrison, "Never Without You," is as good as Harrison's "All Those Years Ago." It's also a treat to hear Ringo and Buck Owens do "Act Naturally" as a duet.
It is a real joy to hear some of Ringo's better latter day songs along with upgrades on those early classics. The oh-so-seventies sound of "Back Off Boogaloo" and "It Don't Come Easy" will make you nostalgic for a sound that has moved on, the sort of free-wheeling exuberance that brought songs like "I'm The Greatest" a smile-cracking sense of fun. At his best - both as a Beatle and on his own - that is what Ringo brought to music.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally..., Aug 30 2007
By R. S. TAYLOR - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Photograph: The Very Best Of Ringo Starr 1970-2005 (Audio CD)
Finally a proper best of collection from Ringo. As always, I could argue about what was left off but why bother. No collection ever pleases everybody! The songs have obviously been remastered (the earlier ones anyway) as they sound incredible. My only real complaint is that the count in to both Oh My My and Snookeroo have been edited out. Why???
Both were released as singles with the count ins intact.
Now for the real treat-There is one really big PLUS to this collection. The single edit of It's All Down To Goodnight Vienna is making it's cd debut with Lennon's count in still there!!!!
Overall, a great single disc of some of Ringo's finest material.
Now, isn't it time for George to have an up to date "Best Of" as well?
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Starr Time!!!!, Aug 28 2007
By Kelly Gold "mrleadfoot" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Photograph: The Very Best Of Ringo Starr 1970-2005 (Audio CD)
Finally, Ringo gets his due with a remastering of his greatest hits. Some really good songs on this and its nice to listen and hear the sound of George's and John's guitar on some of these songs. Ringo may have been the luckiest Beatle in that the other three would always lend him a hand. Talk about "With a Little Help From My Friends." Thanks for giving the greatest Rock'n'Roll drummer a better greatest hits than his original. Now get the Beatles back catalog remastered and into the public's hands.