Released 25 March 2003, KOCH Records.
Ringo
Starr's new album, Ringo Rama, has been released "with a little help
from [his] friends" - some time ago, collaboration from other artists
was mooted. Included in these were Roger Waters (in initial reports),
followed by David Gilmour. One source of interest was if they were to
work on any tracks together. As we shall see, this was not to be the
case.
Roger was reported to have
(co-)written Never Without You, and to have played bass guitar on the
track. He now does not appear to have a credit for this (if indeed he
was ever involved in penning this rather simple, straightforward song),
and there is no sign of his trademark bass playing. It does, however,
include quite a nice, uncomplicated solo from Eric Clapton.
Of more interest to Floyd fans
though is the definite appearance of David Gilmour on two tracks on the
album - the third track, Instant Amnesia, and track seven, I Think,
Therefore I Rock'n'Roll.
Instant Amnesia has an
unfortunately apt name - it is a song that doesn't carry enough weight
to stay in the mind for too long. One of the longer tracks on the
album, it starts with a rousing organ before heading into standard
rock'n'roll territory, with little guitar to distinguish itself prior
to the short, and atypical solo, David gives at just after two minutes
into the song. A nice bit of backward guitar closes the song.
I Think, Therefore I Rock'n'Roll,
ups the tempo a bit. Sounding like a bar-room jam, the artists clearly
had a whale of a time recording this track. The enjoyment pours out of
the speakers, but sadly, there is little to no sign of David's playing
or participation.
A pleasant album, but hardly
earth-shattering, Ringo obviously still enjoys performing, and has
managed to get some good guests performing on his work. Worth getting
if you are a Gilmour completist.
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