RINGO STARR'S BEST 10 ALBUMS!!

Following the commercially successful predecessor Ringo,it was time for Ringo to do another album. Goodnight Vienna was recorded in the summer of 1974 in Los Angeles, and released later that year. Ringo Starr used many of the same players of Ringo, including Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Robbie Robertson, Harry Nilsson, and producer Richard Perry. 

While all three other former Beatles had contributed to Ringo, only John Lennon contributed to Goodnight Vienna with the song that became the title track, "Goodnight Vienna". Lennon also suggested The Platters' hit "Only You (And You Alone)" with Lennon producing the recording of both songs. Elton John also contributed a track, "Snookeroo", and Harry Nilsson gave Ringo the track "Easy for Me", which he later recorded his own version of for his Duit on Mon Dei album.

The album was released in the US on 18 November, peaking at number 8, and ultimately going gold, and its reviews were generally favorable. A nice album overall and although wasn't as successful as the prior album, it kept Ringo on the limelight as an entertainer and recording artist.

Highlights: (It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna, Occapella, Oo-Wee, Snookeroo, All by Myself, No No Song

1975 was the closing of many chapters in The Beatles book. Their relationship with EMI (and therefore Capitol Records) came to an end. The last corporation under the umbrella of Apple, their record company Apple Records, ceased to exist, leaving the four ex-Beatles the freedom to negotiate with any record company they wished to work with. 

McCartney, now with the successful Wings, signed again with EMI, Harrison formed his own company Dark Horse Records and Lennon retired from the music business. With a very succesful first half of the new 70's decade, it all looked great for Ringo Starr, signing a deal with Polydor Records and Atlantic in the US.  Ringo immediately got to work, relying once again to his trusted friends for a little help. This time, Eric Clapton took part, in addition to his old friend Harry Nilsson, Peter Frampton, Melissa Manchester, Dr. John, Jim Keltner, Klaus Voorman and former bandmates John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, among others.

Just like "Ringo", all three Beatles contributed with songs. Lennon brought in "Cookin' (In the Kitchen of Love)". McCartney made the backing track to "Pure Gold" along with his wife Linda McCartney and Harrison gave Ringo a song called "I Still Love You", but because of his commitments to get his album Thirty Three & 1/3 done on schedule, he was unable to participate in any recording, missing the chance to have all Beatles together again.

By the second half of the decade the musical landscape has changed and big players like Led Zeppelin, KISS, Fleetwood Mac were riding high. Also new musical styles like Punk, Disco and Funk were emerging, leaving many of the 60's artists behind. Ringo Starr was no exception and Ringo's Rotogravure was received poorly by critics and the public. However, it is a great album, showcasing Ringo as an all around entertainer with great performances in various musical styles, even including a sound collage, Spooky Weirdness, reminiscent of the stuff he and Lennon did for fun at the latter's home in Kenwood in the mid 60's.

Highlights: A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll, Hey! Baby, Cryin', Cookin' (In the Kitchen of Love), This Be Called a Song, Lady Gaye

After a successful run of great albums with producer Mark Hudson (The Flying Burrito Brothers), all things must pass and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) stepped in to finish the album that was started out as a coproduction by Ringo and Hudson.  With no big names to accompany him, Ringo relied on his trusted Roundheads to record the album. Guitar player Gary Burr shines on this one! The album is rocking', bluesy and Country and Western flavored at times. 

Highlights:  "Liverpool 8", "Think About You", "For Love", "Now That She's Gone Away" 

Special mention goes to the Ringo & Stewart collaboration Gone Are The Days, with its electronic and synthesized tones, which is something Ringo has never done.

Recorded a month before the release of Starr's new studio album Vertical Man – and performed in promotion for it – VH1 Storytellers features Starr's contemporary musical collaborator Mark Hudson and The Roundheads with Starr performing mostly his Beatles and early solo successes and retelling their stories in a relaxed, and sometimes humorous, fashion. If Ringo's persona and charisma is in doubt, listen to this.

A stellar band comprising of Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Jack Blades (yes, the bass player of 80's hard rockers Night Ranger) and Simon Kirke (Bad Company / Free) on drums give new life to Starr's classic hits (Beatles and solo) as well as tracks from his then current album, Vertical Man.

Highlights: I Was Walking, Back Off Boogaloo, King of Broken Hearts, Octopus's Garden, Photograph, Love Me Do.

Time Takes Time was Ringo's 1992 comeback album after a succesful 1989–90 world tour with his All-Starr Band. It was well received by critics, and featured several celebrity guests including Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson. Mark Hudson and Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne.

It was Ringo's first studio album since the ill-fated Old Wave (1983) and its recording started as early as 1987. Ringo worked with different producers, including Don Was, Phil Ramone, Peter Asher and Jeff Lynne, each producer adding their characteristic sound to Ringo's timeless vocals and drums.  Even though the album was not a commercial success, it was well received by critics, calling it the best album since 1973's Ringo. It does have a 70's feel to it and could've easily been a great follow up to Ringo. Time Takes Time had the first collaboration between Ringo and Mark Hudson, a duo that will produce many great albums in the future.

Highlights:  Weight of the World, Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go, Runaways, What Goes Around.