Aided by a host of contemporary Country artists, the 11 tracks make for a nice starting point to Country music in general.
With the recent success of Martin Scorcese’s Beatles ’64 documentary and murmurings of a new Beatles film in the works, the never-ending lust for Fab Four nostalgia definitely isn’t going away anytime soon. In the background to this, Ringo Starr is still cooking…music that is.
The former-Beatle ventures into Country territory on his latest album, ‘Look Up’: one that lacks lyrical depth but generally succeeds thanks to the who’s who list of genre contributors.
His 21st solo studio album is a departure from his traditional pop and rock style. Fear not though, this vision is helped by Ringo’s access to some of the biggest names in Country - in particular, famed songwriters and producers T Bone Burnett (he wrote nine of the 11 tracks here), Daniel Tashian and Bruce Sugar.
‘Look ‘Up pushes through a wide spectrum from the world of Country, Americana and Bluegrass, Ringo’s rugged Scouse charm mixing it with countrified elegance. Lead single ‘Time On My Hands’ uses slide guitars and dreamy orchestrations: an upbeat bop about break-up resilience. Meanwhile, the boat is pushed out in a Country-Rock direction on both ‘Look Up’ and ‘Rosetta’ to escape any tweeness heard elsewhere.
Of course, the main successes come from the guests themselves. Names like Billy Strings, whose frenetic Americana guitar talents carry opener ‘Breathless’, thrilling again on the harmonica-driven ‘Never Let Me Go’. Bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle is another, her Country tones especially gratifying on mid-album duet ‘Can You Hear Me Call’. Finally, the delightful harmonies of legendary bluegrass singer Alison Krauss support Ringo on wholesome finale ‘Thankful’.
Ringo’s tired vocals may be too much to bear on occasion, but, overall, ‘Look Up’ still remains a pleasurable listen. Yes, corniness takes over at points and the whole “peace and love” vibe is cliché-central, but these 11 tracks make for a nice starting point to Country music in general.