Don_Krider's Full Review: I Wanna Be Santa Claus by Ringo Starr
Who would have thought that Ringo would put out the most fun Christmas album of 1999? Well, with this release Ringo has done just that.
With Mark Hudson producing (and all The Hudson Brothers singing backup on various tracks), and even guitarist Joe Perry appearing on one track (it's his guitar solo on "Christmas Time Is Here Again" which lights up that track, which was written by Ringo and his fellow Beatles (the late and much-missed John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison) way back in 1967), this is a fun album to listen to.
Mark Hudson understands Ringo. That's why this album works. There's a mutual respect between these two gentlemen that clicks on every track here. The songs all fit Ringo's voice perfectly.
The album is a mixture of Christmas standards ("Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer"; "Winter Wonderland"; "White Christmas" and others) and new originals that are all enjoyable. Best of all, on some tracks, Hudson and Starr have left in mistakes in lyrics and studio laughter, which makes the recordings all the more fun.
Starr and Hudson cowrote several songs here, and their ballad "Christmas Eve" shows lyrical depth ("It's Christmas, and you're not here / The snow is falling down, like my tears / I see your presents by the tree / I can't believe you're not with me on Christmas Eve"). Ringo sings this with such emotion and heart that you know he's experienced the moment himself, and only a Scrooge would fail to be moved by the tune. This may just be Ringo's best vocal performance ever.
This is an album to be played this Christmas, every Christmas, and best of all, many of the songs are rockers that would be enjoyed year-round.
"Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On," in fact, is the best rocker Starr has recorded since his early '70s hits such as "Back Off Boogaloo" and "It Don't Come Easy." It's a drums and percussion-driven piece, similar to Gary Glitter's "Rock & Roll (Part One)" and Slade's "Cum On Feel The Noize" (their spelling, by the way, not mine).
The CD booklet is quite enjoyable, too, full of Beatles-style (think "Yellow Submarine," the film) images done Christmas-style.
A great package that should be under not only the tree of every Beatlemaniac, but in the home of children (and romantics) of all ages. Great job, Ringo!
The late Billy Preston, the so-called "fifth Beatle," has an outstanding CD featuring all 14 of his Hot 100 chart hits, including the original version of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" (which Billy wrote), "Ultimate Collection": http://www.epinions.com/content_247350726276
Capitol/EMI's 20-track 24-bit digitally remastered CD "Greatest" by Raspberries (the original lineup --- Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti --- who sang the million-seller "Go All The Way" reunited in 2004-2005) was released in May of 2005 in the U. S. and Europe. It features all 7 of Raspberries Hot 100 singles, has 20 tracks and runs 78:53 minutes: http://www.epinions.com/content_186044681860
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