Beaucoups of Blues
Encyclopedia
Beaucoups of Blues is the second album
by former Beatles member Ringo Starr
, and also his second full-length release in 1970, coming after his debut Sentimental Journey. However, Beaucoups of Blues is very far removed in style from its predecessor.
While playing on sessions for George Harrison
's All Things Must Pass
(the recording of which began on 26 May), Starr—a long-time country and western fan—met Pete Drake
, whom Harrison had called upon to play pedal steel guitar. Realizing Drake's deep connection to country (having also played on Bob Dylan
's Nashville Skyline
), Starr asked him if they could collaborate on an album together. Drake promptly told Starr his musician friends could compose more than an album's worth of material from which Starr could pick his favourites and record his vocals. Starr was very keen and agreed. He flew to Nashville
on 22 June to begin working on the project.
While most of the tracks were cut in two days (30 June and 1 July), Drake had produced some earlier sessions with The Jordanaires
on backing vocals so that Starr could add his lead on top. The sessions went exceedingly well, and it was clear to all that Starr's vocals were much more suited to genre of country than the old standards that characterised Sentimental Journey. For Starr, making Beaucoups of Blues had fulfilled a lifelong ambition.
Beaucoups of Blues was released that September to a fan base that was once again bemused with Starr's abrupt change in style. While the album is more acclaimed than Sentimental Journey, Beaucoups of Blues did not perform nearly as well, missing the UK charts and reaching only #65 in the US. The album did do a little better in Norway
, peaking at #21.
In light of the tepid commercial reaction, Starr would refrain from further album releases for the time being, preferring to concentrate on his second vocation: film acting.
Even though it was moderately successful at the time, in retrospect many critics have stated that this may be Ringo's masterpiece, and surely one of his best albums.
Beaucoups of Blues was remastered and reissued on CD in 1995 with the addition of two bonus tracks: "Coochy Coochy" (a Starr original that appeared as the B-Side to the single release of "Beaucoups of Blues") and a jam with all the musicians entitled, appropriately enough, "Nashville Jam" (similar in vein to the "Apple Jam" on the fifth and sixth sides of George Harrison
's All Things Must Pass
).
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by former Beatles member Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
, and also his second full-length release in 1970, coming after his debut Sentimental Journey. However, Beaucoups of Blues is very far removed in style from its predecessor.
While playing on sessions for George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass is a triple album by George Harrison, recorded and released in 1970. The original vinyl release featured two LPs of rock songs as well as Apple Jam, a third LP of informal jams...
(the recording of which began on 26 May), Starr—a long-time country and western fan—met Pete Drake
Pete Drake
Pete Drake , born Roddis Franklin Drake, was a major Nashville, Tennessee-based record producer and pedal steel guitar player....
, whom Harrison had called upon to play pedal steel guitar. Realizing Drake's deep connection to country (having also played on Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's Nashville Skyline
Nashville Skyline
Nashville Skyline is singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's ninth studio album, released by Columbia Records in April 1969.The album marked a dramatic departure for Dylan, previously known for his groundbreaking, poetic folk music and rock and roll...
), Starr asked him if they could collaborate on an album together. Drake promptly told Starr his musician friends could compose more than an album's worth of material from which Starr could pick his favourites and record his vocals. Starr was very keen and agreed. He flew to Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
on 22 June to begin working on the project.
While most of the tracks were cut in two days (30 June and 1 July), Drake had produced some earlier sessions with The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
on backing vocals so that Starr could add his lead on top. The sessions went exceedingly well, and it was clear to all that Starr's vocals were much more suited to genre of country than the old standards that characterised Sentimental Journey. For Starr, making Beaucoups of Blues had fulfilled a lifelong ambition.
Beaucoups of Blues was released that September to a fan base that was once again bemused with Starr's abrupt change in style. While the album is more acclaimed than Sentimental Journey, Beaucoups of Blues did not perform nearly as well, missing the UK charts and reaching only #65 in the US. The album did do a little better in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, peaking at #21.
In light of the tepid commercial reaction, Starr would refrain from further album releases for the time being, preferring to concentrate on his second vocation: film acting.
Even though it was moderately successful at the time, in retrospect many critics have stated that this may be Ringo's masterpiece, and surely one of his best albums.
Beaucoups of Blues was remastered and reissued on CD in 1995 with the addition of two bonus tracks: "Coochy Coochy" (a Starr original that appeared as the B-Side to the single release of "Beaucoups of Blues") and a jam with all the musicians entitled, appropriately enough, "Nashville Jam" (similar in vein to the "Apple Jam" on the fifth and sixth sides of George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass is a triple album by George Harrison, recorded and released in 1970. The original vinyl release featured two LPs of rock songs as well as Apple Jam, a third LP of informal jams...
).
Track listing
- "Beaucoups of BluesBeaucoups of Blues (song)"Beaucoups of Blues" is the title song from Ringo Starr's 1970 country album. It was released as a single in several countries, but not the UK, and entered the charts in both the U.S. and Germany where it reached #87 and #43 respectively....
" (Buzz Rabin) – 2:33 - "Love Don't Last Long" (Chuck Howard) – 2:45
- "Fastest Growing Heartache In The West" (Larry Kingston/Fred Dycus) – 2:34
- "Without Her" (Sorrells Pickard) – 2:35
- "Woman Of The Night" (Sorrells Pickard) – 2:21
- "I'd Be Talking All The Time" (Chuck Howard/Larry Kingston) – 2:10
- "$15 Draw" (Sorrells Pickard) – 3:29
- "Wine, Women And Loud Happy Songs" (Larry Kingston) – 2:18
- "I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way" (Chuck Howard) – 2:57
- "Loser's Lounge" (Bobby Pierce) – 2:23
- "Waiting" (Chuck Howard) – 2:54
- "Silent Homecoming" (Sorrells Pickard) – 3:55
1995 Remaster Bonus Tracks
- "Coochy Coochy" (Richard Starkey) - 4:48
- "Nashville Jam" [previously unissued] (Howard, Pickard, Jim Buchanan, Charlie Daniels, Pete Drake, D.J. Fontana, Buddy Harman, Junior Huskey, Ben Keith, Dave Kirby, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Reed, George Richey, Jerry Shook) - 6:39
Personnel
- Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
– vocals, drums, acoustic guitar - Jim Buchanan – fiddle
- Charlie DanielsCharlie DanielsCharles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is known primarily for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has performed and written. Daniels has been active as a singer...
– guitar - Pete DrakePete DrakePete Drake , born Roddis Franklin Drake, was a major Nashville, Tennessee-based record producer and pedal steel guitar player....
– pedal steel guitar - D.J. Fontana – drums
- Buddy Harman – bass guitar
- Chuck Howard – guitar
- Roy Huskey Jnr – bass guitar
- The JordanairesThe JordanairesThe Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
– backing vocals - Ben KeithBen KeithBennett Keith Schaeufele , better known by his stage name Ben Keith, was an American musician and record producer...
– pedal steel guitar - Jeannie Kendal – vocals on "I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way"
- Jerry KennedyJerry KennedyJerry Glenn Kennedy is an American record producer, songwriter and guitar player.-Early years:Kennedy was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a child, he recalls "beating on broomsticks and other things" as his initial forays into music-making...
– guitar - Dave Kirby – guitar
- Grover Lavernder – fiddle
- Charlie McCoyCharlie McCoyCharles "Charlie" Ray McCoy is an American musician noted for his harmonica playing. In his career, McCoy has backed several notable musicians including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Astor, Elvis Presley and Ween. He has also recorded thirty-seven studio albums, including fourteen for Monument Records...
– harmonica - Sorrells Pickard – guitar
- Jerry ReedJerry ReedJerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
– guitar - George Richey – fiddle
- Jerry Shook – guitar