VH1 Storytellers (Ringo Starr album)

Infobox Album | Name = VH1 Storytellers
Type = Live album
Artist = Ringo Starr


Released = 19 October 1998
Recorded = 13 May 1998
Genre = Rock
Length = 51:56
Label = Mercury
Producer = Mark Hudson
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:cyx8b5c4msqe link]
Last album = "Vertical Man"
(1998)
This album = "VH1 Storytellers"
(1998)
Next album = "I Wanna Be Santa Claus"
(1999) |

"VH1 Storytellers" is a live album by Ringo Starr recorded and released for the popular music program in 1998. Unlike his previous live recordings, this release places Starr in an intimate environment where - as per the show's requirement - he tells the genesis of the songs being performed.

Recorded a month before the release of Starr's new studio album "Vertical Man" - and performed in promotion for it, "VH1 Storytellers" features Starr's contemporary musical collaborator Mark Hudson (who produced this set) and Starr's current band, dubbed "The Roundheads". Aside from songs that appeared on "Vertical Man", much of the set is devoted to Starr's Beatles and early solo successes with Starr relating their stories in a relaxed, and sometimes humorous, fashion.

This marked the last time a Ringo Starr album (on CD) was released on a pre-recorded cassette in the United States according to journalist Peter Palmiere. However, some countries in the Far East still issue cassettes of recent Ringo Starr material including "Ringo Rama", "Choose Love" and "Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr".

Released that October, "VH1 Storytellers" stands as a unique release in Ringo Starr's recorded catalogue. Although it failed to chart anywhere, it was well-received critically.

Track listing

#"With a Little Help from My Friends" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) – 4:18
#"It Don't Come Easy" (Richard Starkey) – 3:18
#"I Was Walkin'" (Richard Starkey/Mark Hudson/Dean Grakal) – 4:21
#"Don't Pass Me By" (Richard Starkey) – 5:40
#"Back Off Boogaloo" (Richard Starkey) – 3:40
#"King of Broken Hearts" (Richard Starkey/Mark Hudson/Steve Dudas/Dean Grakal) – 7:42
#"Octopus's Garden" (Richard Starkey) – 2:51
#"Photograph" (Richard Starkey/George Harrison) – 4:10
#"La De Da" (Richard Starkey/Mark Hudson/Steve Dudas/Dean Grakal) – 5:04
#"What In The...World" (Richard Starkey/Mark Hudson/Steve Dudas/Dean Grakal) – 5:31
#"Love Me Do" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) – 3:42
#"With a Little Help from My Friends (Reprise)" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) – 1:19
#"I've Got Blisters..." – 0:13
#"The End" – 0:03

Personnel

*Ringo Starr: drums, keyboards, vocals.
*Joe Walsh: guitar, vocals.
*Mark Hudson: guitars, mouth organ, vocals.
*Gary Burr: guitars, mandolin, vocals.
*Steve Dudas: guitar.
*Jack Blades: bass guitar, vocals.
*Jim Cox: keyboards, vocals.
*Scott Gordon: mouth organ.
*Simon Kirke: drums and percussion.

Sleeve art direction was by Margery Greenspan, design