RINGO is having a PARTY!

And We're All invited!!

Last week Ringo Starr released his newest, the acclaimed LIVERPOOL 8. Some reports are saying that this is the best Ringo material since the mid `70's. And that's saying something because several of his recent CDs (in the past 15 years) like Vertical Man, Choose Love, and Time Takes Time ALL had some wonderful tunes on them.

In celebration of this new release , Ringo Starr & Dave Stewart will perform a set of Ringo's songs LIVE at an exclusive event - 1pm PST this Friday, January 25 at the L.A. House Of Blues There will ALSO be a LIVE webcast on Ringo's official site!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME TO THE PARTY:
Amoeba Music in Hollywood and Los Angeles' KLOS 95.5 FM are giving you a chance to 'bypass the line' and guarantee your entry! (See Ringo's Site for Details)...damn, I'd be there if I were on that coast. If anyone goes, please report back!


Another favorite band of mine London's VAN TRAMP, will have their own live webcast the night before Ringo's. This is from their MySpace: "Don't live in London? Can't come to the Borderline gig on Thursday? Well you don't have to miss out on the action as the show is being streamed live over the Internet. See the banner at the top of our MySpace front page for more info and links..."


Ringo Starr: Liverpool 8 Track listing:

1. Liverpool 8
2. Think About You
3. For Love
4. Now That She’s Gone Away
5. Gone Are The Days
6. Give It A Try
7. Tuff Love
8. Harry’s Song
9. Pasodobles
10. If It’s Love That You Want
11. Love Is
12. R U Ready?


BUY LIVERPOOL 8



my portrait signed by ringo!

Ringo performed on the Letterman show tonight, playing the title track from "Liverpool 8" - Classic Ringo!

The first time I saw Ringo live he flew down to Miami Beach (BOAC) with The Beach Boys after their annual concert in Washington D.C. on the afternoon of July 4th, 1984. The Beach Boys decided to do another free concert on the beach that same day! Ringo came out to sing "Back in the USSR", and play drums on "Fun, Fun, Fun" and another tune while the fireworks went off!, whew! Also on hand were the three vocalists from Three Dog Night, and Justin Hayward & John Lodge of the Moody Blues.

On July 9th 2006, my wife and I had the pleasure of bringing (our then 8yr old) son to see Ringo and his All-Starr band in Concert! What a night, Ringo still has it!

Ringo Starr/Beach Boys Miami Beach July 4th-1984

Ringo Starr - Back in the U.S.S.R.mp3

RINGO STARR' OFFICIAL WEBSITE

THE BEATLES

VAN TRAMP's MySpace

The Other Face of Rod Stewart

A few days ago Rod Stewart celebrated his 63rd Birthday...Happy bloody Birthday Rod!
OK, I know, I've heard it all. But Rod from time to time still cuts a good tune (though I'm not often crazy about his recent full length CDs) , and the last time I saw him live (1994) he was still pretty great.



BUT for me, and many others, The ideal setting for Rod was the band THE FACES! Although the Faces came after the Rolling Stones I can hear their influence on the Stones (even prior to the Stones stealing Woody). I can also hear their influence on any number of bands over the last several decades including (of course) The Black Crowes, and one of my favorite new bands out of England VAN TRAMP (more about them soon, promise!).

Last year, the kind folks over at Rhino Records sent me a copy of the amazing Faces Box Set "Five Guys Walk Into A Bar"...a labor of love produce by the band's keyboardist IAN MACLAGAN. 4 discs, chock FULL of the hits, previously unreleased material, and a terrific 60 page booklet. Many of the highlights for me are the alternate takes, and the Live/BBC recordings. Which include - Maggie May, Maybe I'm Amazed, Bad 'n' Ruin, Angel, Stay with Me, The Stealer, Love in Vain, and Flying to name a few.

Sadly, Ian lost his best bloke, (Faces bassist, vocalist) Ronnie Lane after a long battle to multiple sclerosis in 1997. "5 Guys" is dedicated to him.

Anyway, back to Rod. Do yourself a favor and get any Faces recordings, and several of the first few Rod "solo" records, which usually featured the Faces backing him up (I think that was a corporate move - although Rod didn't seem to fight it).

Titles to look for:
Faces: Long Player, A Nod is as Good as a Wink...to a Blind Horse, Ooh La La, and Coast to Coast/Overtures and Beginners (one of my all time favorite Live albums).
Rod: Every Picture Tells a Story, Never a Dull Moment, Smiler, and Atlantic Crossing.

Maybe Im Amazed - (Faces Live).mp3

Borstal Boys - (Faces Live).mp3

Aint No Lady - (Ronnie Lanes Slim Chance).mp3

Hope & Pray -(Van Tramp).mp3

Rhino Records

Ian MacLagen's Macpages

buy Ronnie Lane Slim Chance

Van Tramp's Website