Ringo Starr &
His All-Starr Band
- Tour 2003
Previously available as an expensive mail order only item, this 70
minute CD was recorded on the opening night on the 2003
All-Starr tour, with new band members (Colin Hay (Men At Work),
John Waite (Babys, Bad English) and Paul Carrack (Ace, Squeeze, Mike
and the Mechanics). The opening night venue was Casino Rama in Ontario.
Although the band hadn’t quite jelled yet, the venue’s name similarity
to Ringo’s last studio album (“Ringo Rama”) must have been an
irresistible promotional angle. Otherwise, it might have been better to
record a later date once the band hit it’s stride.
Ringo’s set list is predictable. He dips into the “Ringo Rama” album
twice on this tour with only a more organic version of “Memphis In Your
Mind” available on this CD. (It would have been nice to also have the
live version of “Never Without You”.) The only other deviation
from the predictable is “Don’t Pass Me By” with Ringo playing piano for
the first verse and chorus before switching off to his drum kit. Ringo
is in typical good humour (when “Ringo Rama” elicits a round of
applause, he exclaims, “Like you bought it!”, without a hint of
bitterness) and he seems to relish his selfless role of concert emcee.
The line up of the 2003 All-Starr Band has a more “contemporary adult”
feel (no hard rockers in this line up). Sheila E.’s selections are
similar to what she performed in the 2002 tour adding to the somewhat
predictable feel of the disc.
Otherwise, considering it’s a live recording, the CD is well produced.
It’s EQ’ed to sound loud on an average system but without clipping and
distortion.
As predictable as the All-Starr events may be, I support Ringo’s desire
to hit the road and play with a group of hand picked musicians.
Considering his circumstances, if it wasn’t a good time for him, he
certainly wouldn’t do it. The only aspect I’m beginning to question is
the need to issue a live CD for each tour. I now own 6 All-Starr CDs
since 1989. Considering the predictability of the set lists, this
verges on excessive. Personally, I would have liked to see Ringo do
what he did to promote “Vertical Man” - stage a promotional concert
with his studio band performing more material from “Ringo Rama” using
an “Unplugged” / “Storytellers” combination.
Update: In September, a DVD was
released from this tour. Although entertaining, the lack of a full
setlist and the 'home movie' feel of the DVD is detracting. If the DVD
was packaged with the CD as a bonus disc (ala "Ringo Rama"), it would
be more consumer friendly. In its current state, the DVD is
questionable as a stand-alone product.
I would have also appreciated having Ringo's tribute to George, "Never
Without You," included - as I suspect would many Beatles fans. To not
have it appear on either the CD or the DVD displays a lapse of good
judgement.