VH1 Storytellers (Ringo Starr album)

Recording

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.

Release and reception

This marked the last time a Ringo Starr album 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 by Mercury in the US on 20 October 1998, VH1 Storytellers stands as a unique release in Starr's recorded catalogue. Although it failed to chart anywhere, the album received a favourable response from some critics. Entertainment Weekly's reviewer wrote: "It's his yarns, though, that are most engaging … A nice retrospective of an under appreciated composer."

Album Track listing

1. "With a Little Help from My Friends" (Lennon–McCartney) – 4:18
2. "It Don't Come Easy" (Richard Starkey) – 3:18
3. "I Was Walkin'" (Starkey/Mark Hudson/Dean Grakal) – 4:21
4. "Don't Pass Me By" (Starkey) – 5:40
5. "Back Off Boogaloo" (Starkey) – 3:40
6. "King of Broken Hearts" (Starkey/Hudson/Steve Dudas/Grakal) – 7:42
7. "Octopus's Garden" (Starkey) – 2:51
8. "Photograph" (Starkey/George Harrison) – 4:10
9. "La De Da" (Starkey/Hudson/Dudas/Grakal) – 5:04
10. "What in the... World" (Starkey/Hudson/Dudas/Grakal) – 5:31
11. "Love Me Do" (Lennon–McCartney) – 3:42
12. "With a Little Help from My Friends (Reprise)" (Lennon–McCartney) – 1:19
13. "I've Got Blisters..." – 0:13 - Danny Solazzi from the Rock group The Characters asks: "At the end of "Helter Skelter," is it you or John who says they have blisters on their fingers?" Ringo: "It was me. I'VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!!"
14. "The End" – 0:03 - Ringo: "I do believe that is the end."

Live Track Listing

1. "With a Little Help from My Friends" (Lennon–McCartney)
2. "Back Off Boogaloo" (Starkey)
3. "Don't Pass Me By" (Starkey)
4. "It Don't Come Easy" (Starkey)
5. "Octopus's Garden" (Starkey)
6. "Photograph" (Starkey/Harrison)
7. "La De Da" (Starkey/Mark Hudson/Steve Dudas/Dean Grakal)
8. "King of Broken Hearts" (Starkey/Hudson/Dudas/Grakal)
9. "Love Me Do" (Lennon–McCartney)
10. "With a Little Help from My Friends (Reprise)" (Lennon–McCartney)

Personnel

Sleeve art direction was by Margery Greenspan, design