Look Up: 5/10
Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Ringo Starr: all British acts that at one point masquerade as cowboys. Ringo’s Look Up does not join the ranks of Elton John’s Tumbleweed Connection or The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers, but it holds is own better than I expected. Ringo’s 84-year-old voice plays to its strength on this album. His shaky vocal charm perfectly fits into the country backdrop. As it blends Ringo’s nostalgic charm with a modern Nashville aesthetic, Look Up offers a nice reprieve from old rockers still stuck in the past, clinging to their old hits.
For one, Look Up could hardly be called Ringo’s album. T Bone Barrett, the producer, sings and writes many of the cuts on the album. Ringo also benefits from a wonderful supporting cast, with Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and even Joe Walsh of The Eagles present. Tuttle’s young and crisp voice perfectly juxtaposes Star’s worn melodies.
Not to imply that Ringo’s Look Up lands entirely out of his wheelhouse. Ringo has always strayed toward the country side of things. Even during his time with the Beatles, his rendition of country star Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” was one of their best covers. Before Look Up, Ringo also had Beaucoups of Blues, released in 1970. However, this album understandably gets overshadowed by his former bandmates’ simultaneously released solo albums.
But this country album strays away from the blues side of country. Look Up shows its optimistic side, with the title track stating, “Up above your head/Where the music plays/There’s a light that shines/In the darkest days.” Although this song was written by Burnett, and not Ringo, Ringo’s famous mantra of peace and love remains pervasive throughout the album. Burnett gives Ringo ample room to strike a balance between introspection and playfulness. This album allows Ringo to reflect on his old life within the comfort of his vocal range.
This album refreshes Ringo’s sound in a happy-go-lucky way. The production is modern but not too overbearing, which I appreciate. It feels like classic country without going overboard on old methods, and it allows the instrumentals to carry most of the songs. Ringo’s voice falters too often to serve as a central focus. It acts as more of a show of who Ringo is rather than what Ringo can do. As an octogenarian, it is practically impossible for him to achieve the musicality he used to. Ringo’s greatest strength remains the ability to surround himself with incredibly talented musicians.
Every song on this album sounds like a one-off Lennon-McCartney that they tossed to Ringo to even the score. No stunning brilliance surfaces in this album – it’s easy listening with a side of nostalgia. It’s a tough thing, being a former Beatle. Every piece you produce after 1970 gets held to the standard of objectively the greatest band of all time. Look Up does not break new ground musically, but it repackages Ringo as a country singer and captures his 84-year-old essence. Ringo’s career has been shaped by collaboration, and this album is no different. Look Up is not just a country album; it is a celebration of Ringo Starr and the impact of his life. Ringo, as anyone who follows him on Instagram is aware, is sincere and fun, and so is this album. Look Up is both modern and rooted in nostalgia. Maybe it is simply because I love country rock, but with country charm and relaxed mastery, this album is one of Ringo’s best post-Beatles releases.
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