Beaucoups Of Blues

If Ringo:

• had not been an ex-Beatle &
• could sing

Beaucoups Of Blues may have been considered a minor classic from the very earliest beginnings of what became known as country rock. As it is, Beaucoups Of Blues unfortunately sits in the very rarely-heard-basket. Incidentally, beaucoup is French for "many".

The story behind the album is fascinating, actually. While working on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, Ringo met up with pedal-steel player, Sneaky Pete Drake and they discussed working together. Within a month, Drake had gathered a band of hot country session players, including:

• The Four Jordanaires (Elvis' vocal backing group)
• DJ Fontana (Elvis's drummer)
• Jerry Reed
• Charlie Daniels

...and Ringo was picking material written by Nashville stalwarts, some of which delved into some fairly heavy subjects:

• committing murder
• The Vietnam war  
• hookers  
• the Demon Alcohol

I have to be honest, genuine country music isn't my thing...and I don't have the background or the natural twang to really tell you if Beaucoup's songs are good country or bad country, I simply wouldn't know. Secondly, these are deeply American songs about a time and culture that's a little beyond me...and out of respect, I'm keeping my mouth firmly shut.

However, many consider this Ringo's best album, so if you're interested, do check it out.

Ringo Starr: Beaucoups Of Blues

"...This is a great country CD - better than nearly all of the current "artists" - and it's great if you're in a sing along mood - almost anyone can sing along with Ringo..." Amazon reviewer Robert E VandenHeuvel

"...this CD is great! I admit I didn't buy it with great expectations, but I really liked the tune "Beaucoups of Blues" on Ringo's "best of" CD, so I thought it might be worth a listen. I'm glad I gave it a chance! The songs are mostly wonderful, and it's all done with good humor and class..." Amazon reviewer C.C. Cotham "Charles Christopher"

"...This CD reissue of the album is VERY nice for one major reason - You get two ultra-rare bonus cuts! They are Coochy Coochy, which was the b-Side to one of the album's singles, and Nashville Jam, a track which was previously unreleased in any shape or form..." Amazon reviewer Taylor X

For more info, see:

• wikipedia Beaucoups Of Blues
• one Sorells Pickard co-wrote four tracks on Beaucoups Of Blues (Without Her, Woman Of The Night, $15 Draw, and Silent Homecoming, so Beatle nut Donald Sauter interviewed him
• extensive Nashville Scene interview with Ringo and some of the Beaucoups Of Blues musicians, reminiscing about recording the album and its importance for country music, 2008