‘Look Up’ to love

By Mick Dillon / The Jambar

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr released his 21st studio album Jan. 10. Totaling in at 11 songs and a runtime of 36 minutes, “Look Up” puts a fresh spin on classic country music. 

Starr first found fame when he joined The Beatles in 1962, as a replacement for Pete Best, and stayed with the group until it split in 1970. 

Starr and The Beatles saw more success than any other band in history, with 20 Billboard number-one hit singles and countless, sold-out shows in fifteen countries. 

Although The Beatles earned a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1988, Starr cemented his own musical legacy in 2015. He was inducted as a solo artist, presented by his former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney. 

After The Beatles broke up, Starr formed Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band in 1989. The band featured a star-studded cast with members such as Steven Tyler, Bonnie Raitt, Christopher Cross, Peter Frampton, Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh. The band continues to perform with a rotating cast of musicians. 

Starr released his first solo album “Sentimental Journey” in 1970 and continues to explore different genres with each release. 

84-year-old Starr proved time has not passed him by with “Look Up.” With musical features from Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Larkin Poe and Alison Krauss, it adds a modern take on classic country. 

Legendary musician T Bone Burnett also wrote and produced a majority of the album. In an interview with the Rolling Stone, Starr stated Burnett played a crucial role in the albums production

“The new album was inspired not by any countrymania of the moment, but by a chance meeting with old-timey music champion T Bone Burnett at a book reading by George Harrison’s widow, Olivia,” Starr stated. 

According to the Rolling Stone, some of the influences for “Look Up” came from Starr’s love for watching Westerns as a child in Liverpool, England.

“Look Up” is a display of a romantic country piece, with love songs from start to finish. It features a wide array of sounds within the classic country genre. 

The album kicks off with “Breathless,” which resembles a folksy spin on the Beatles style. The intro track felt like a song out of a time machine with the renowned catchy melodies of old, mixed with signature sentimental lyrics. 

Songs such as “Time On My Hands” and “Come Back” featured an orchestral symphony. Additionally “Come Back” had hypnotic backing vocals similar to that of a hula beach with whistles and melodies reminiscent of Elvis Pressley’s “Blue Christmas.”

Starr showcased the breadth of his artistry with outlaw-esque songs, including “Never Let Me Go” and “Rosetta.” 

Also featured throughout the album were patented Ringo Starr drumlines, giving a familiar feel to fans of The Beatles like “Come Together” and “I Feel Fine.” Those fills can be heard on “I Live For Your Love” and “Never Let Me Go” from Starr’s new album. 

Previously mentioned outlaw, jazz, Los Angeles, Bakersfield and western-swing country styles prevailed for the duration of this piece. Starr’s outro track “Thankful” put a bow on the album with a story about being pulled out of dark times from an unconditional lover. 

His first full-length release in almost six years, “Look Up” displays the range of Ringo Starr’s musical abilities and leaves listeners wondering what’s next from the star-studded musician.

Leave a Reply