Ringo Starr – Look Up (2025)
As a Liverpool native and lifelong Beatles devotee, I approach any solo project from the Fab Four with both affection and caution.
As a country songwriter myself, I approached this album anticipating that I might find flaws—perhaps even thinking, “he could have chosen one of my songs instead of this or that.” Yet I have to admit, hands raised, this is a genuinely ‘Fab’ record, in every sense of the word.
My collection of post-Beatles albums is nearly complete, yet it is littered with disappointments—proof that even legends can falter outside the alchemy of their original band. From my teenage years onward, it was clear that not every solo effort reached the heights of their collective work. Following the Beatles was always going to be a daunting act.
Ringo Starr, however, enjoyed notable success in the early 1970s. His second solo record leaned heavily into what was then called “Country and Western” (though the “Western” seems to have since disappeared). As the decade wore on, some of his albums lost focus and suffered from weaker material. In recent decades, however, Starr has redeemed much of that inconsistency by collaborating with strong songwriters and musicians, whether through his studio albums or the celebrated All-Starr Band. I recall with fondness his Liverpool Empire performance alongside Todd Rundgren, Joe Walsh, Dave Edmunds, and Nils Lofgren—a testament to his enduring ability to gather talent and deliver joy.
With Look Up, Starr returns to his longstanding affection for country music. This is no sudden detour: his affinity for the genre stretches back to his Beatles days, from his rendition of Johnny Russell’s “Act Naturally” (popularized by Buck Owens in 1963) on Help! to his first full songwriting credit, “Don’t Pass Me By,” on The White Album. Even Beatles for Sale, in its UK incarnation, carried a distinctly country-inflected atmosphere. Starr’s roots in the style are undeniable.
The Album
Produced with sensitivity by T Bone Burnett, Look Up is steeped not in “New Country” trends but in the timeless textures of classic Americana. Starr wisely surrounds himself with contemporary luminaries—Molly Tuttle, Larkin Poe, Alison Krauss, Billy Strings—whose contributions enhance rather than overshadow. The result is unmistakably a Ringo album: balanced, cohesive, and full of character.
“Breathless” – A charming opener with echoes of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. Its acoustic shimmer and 1950s sensibility make it one of the album’s most endearing tracks.
“Look Up” – Anchored by a driving electric guitar riff, the title track grooves with infectious energy. Alongside “Rosetta,” it stands as one of the album’s highlights.
“Time on My Hands” – A song that feels like a lost 1960s country standard, the kind that would have inspired multiple covers had it existed then.
“Come Back” – Starr’s raspy vocal delivery adds grit and character, evoking Nashville’s golden era. The whistling interlude, often divisive, works surprisingly well here.
“Can You Hear Me?” – A standout collaboration with Molly Tuttle, built on call-and-response phrasing. Smooth, engaging, and beautifully arranged.
“Thankful” – Gentle and heartfelt, this track radiates warmth and sincerity.
“You Want Some” – Catchy and immediate, it has the buoyant quality of a 1970s Ringo hit, the kind that might have dominated radio in his commercial prime.
Verdict
Look Up is a confident, affectionate return to the country idiom that has long been part of Starr’s musical DNA. It avoids the pitfalls of past unevenness, thanks to Burnett’s deft production and the tasteful involvement of guest artists. While it does not chase modern country trends, it celebrates the genre’s enduring traditions with sincerity and charm. For fans—whether of the Beatles, Ringo’s solo work, or classic country—this album is a rewarding listen, and a reminder that Starr’s voice and spirit remain vital in 2025.
Get your copy here at the Ringo Starr Official Store: https://store.ringostarr.com/products/look-up-cd
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: Ringo Starr in Baltimore