Since March of 2021, Ringo Starr has released three EPs. Rather than making a full album, Ringo has quickly recorded and released one five-song EP and two four-song EPs. One of the reasons for working in this format was to get the music out quickly with his intention partly to offer hopeful, uplifting and positive music, lyrical themes, and general good vibes for people weary of the pandemic. This approach has resulted in some of the best music Starr has made in years and, coupled with his previous full-length album What’s My Name? from 2019, makes this one of the best musical periods for Starr in some time. All will be reviewed here in their vinyl format.
The first EP, “Zoom In,” released in March 2021, is a five-song, 12-inch black vinyl EP with a title no-doubt inspired by how the A/V teleconferencing chat format Zoom became the major communication source for those at home in lockdown. The EP starts off with the sometimes mournful, yet ultimately uplifting “Here’s to the Nights,” featuring an all-star chorus including Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Jenny Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Stapleton, Yola, Ben Harper, Dave Grohl, Finneas O’Connell, Eric Burton, and Corinne Bailey Rae.
“Zoom In Zoom Out” has a classic Ringo Starr boogie rock feel. “Teach Me to Tango” rocks with a Dr. John feel on the intro. “Waiting for the Tide” has an authentic dub reggae sound. The closing track, “Not Enough Love in the World,” is filled with Starr’s peace and love vibe and closes out an EP with not one bad or mediocre track. Along with the all-star chorus, Ringo had help from such heavyweights as Robbie Krieger from the Doors, Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Nathan East, and current All-Star band member Steve Lukather. The sound quality of the vinyl is superb and the EP comes in a poly-lined sleeve, but the package contains no liner notes.
“Change the World,” released in September of 2021 as a 10-inch black vinyl EP, continues the quality of the previous EP. “Change the World” picks up lyrically from “Not Enough Love in the World,” the closing track from the previous EP. “Just That Way” is another excellent dub reggae effort, with a little less emphasis on the dub. “Coming Undone” mixes folk/rock and jazz and Starr’s unmistakable sound. The EP closes with a raucous cover of “Rock Around the Clock,” with Starr clearly having a ball. Steve Lukather is present throughout and Nathan East makes another appearance, with Starr’s brother-in-law Joe Walsh playing on “Rock Around the Clock.” This 10-inch format makes for a very collectible item and boasts excellent sound.
The final EP, entitled “EP3,” released in July of 2022, is also a 10-inch black vinyl release but it plays at 45. Again, Starr starts off the album seeking to provide musical, lyrical, and spiritual comfort with “World Go Round.” “Everyone and Everything” is in keeping with the more straightforward pop-rock approach of this EP. “Let’s Be Friends” continues this trend with a timeless LA rock feel. The album closes with “Free Your Soul,” which musically starts off with a sound that would be right at home on a Sade album and ends with a lilting Caribbean feel. Steve Lukather and Nathan East help throughout. The 10-inch format at 45 RPM sounds superb.
There is most likely no fourth EP planned, but one never knows. The music on these three EPs sounds very fresh and will not lose its luster in time, making these three releases timeless Ringo Starr solo music. It’s hard to say how long the vinyl editions of these EPs will be in print, so it’s highly advised to pick those up, especially the two 10-inch discs, as soon as possible.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
“Zoom In”
B+
“Change the World”
B+
“EP3”
B
