Whenever Ringo Starr announces his All Starr band lineup there is collective analysis within the music world regarding the quality of the group. Throughout its twelve incarnations the band has included legendary performers like Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Joe Walsh, Clarence Clemons, Levon Helm, just to name a few.
Each of the All Starr bands has been well documented and has had their musical highlights, but none has gelled as a group quite like the current version. Todd Rundgren hinted this to reporters at the band’s press conference the day before the band’s opening show Thursday that, “I guarantee, by the time we get to the end of this tour, we’re going to be delivering renditions that surpass anything we have done before.”
Todd should have made that guarantee for the beginning of the tour, because the renditions they delivered Thursday undoubtedly exceeded everyone’s expectations. Ringo summed it up best, “what a band!”
If there will be a legacy for the twelfth incarnation, it will be that they really sounded like a band, not a hodgepodge of musicians from various eras. Backed by the drummer of the greatest band of all time, these All-Starrs may be the second best group Ringo has ever played with, and the best of the All-Starrs.
In past incarnations, Ringo’s songs have seemed slightly out of place with the rest of the set. This groups chemistry was able to overcome the difference between “Yellow Submarine,” and “Kyrie.” It all sounded great, nothing sounded out of place, especially the cuts from Ringo’s latest album, “Ringo 2012.”
And behind the kit Ringo was nothing short of spectacular. The Toto numbers gave Ringo and Greg Bissonette plenty of opportunities to shine, and they seized them. Bissonette looked like the Cheshire Cat with a huge infectious grin, and Ringo played like the star he is.
Steve Lukather proved why he is so in demand as a studio musician. Lukather is like bacon, he made everything taste better, especially the tasty licks on songs like “Black Magic Woman,” and “I Saw the Light.”
Gregg Rolie’s organ filled in all the spaces, and it was clear that Lukather and Rolie were kindred spirits musically. The interplay between them was a joy to watch, and even better to listen to.
Mark Rivera was the glue, adding percussion, saxophone and even showing off his vocal chops handling the high parts in the Toto numbers. It seemed like Rivera was always in the right place at the right time.
Richard Page proved to be as adept at bass as he was on vocals and provided the biggest surprise of the night, performing a new composition entitled “You Are Mine,” a tender acoustic ballad that featured Todd Rundgren on background vocals and bass, and Ringo on a cajon. If Page has not recorded the song yet he should definitely include Rundgren on background vocals.
This writer cannot be unbiased about Todd Rundgren, but even the casual observer would have to agree Todd seemed at home with this ensemble. His and Lukather’s guitar styles complimented each other and the arrangements afforded both guitarists the opportunity to display their prowess on guitar. Rundgren played with so much intensity that at one point he became so engrossed in the music during “I Wanna Be Your Man,” that he fell onstage.
This group will likely build quite a reputation as the tour progresses, and hopefully at least one of their full performances will be recorded and released. And when Ringo puts together his next All-Starr band he may just want to see if all of these guys are willing to come back.
Set List:
Matchbox (Ringo- Carl Perkins cover)
It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo)
Wings (Ringo)
Hello It’s Me (Rundgren- Nazz cover)
Evil Ways (Rolie-Santana cover)
Rosanna (Lukather-Toto cover)
Kyrie (Page- Mister Mister cover)
Don’t Pass Me By (Ringo- Beatles cover)
Bang the Drum (Rundgren)
Boys (Ringo-Beatles cover)
Yellow Submarine (Ringo-Beatles cover)
Black Magic Woman (Rolie-Santana cover)
Anthem for Peace & Love (Ringo)
I’m the Greatest (Ringo)
You Are Mine (Page)
Africa (Lukather-Toto cover)
Everybody’s Everything (Roli-Sanatana cover)
I Wanna Be Your Man (Ringo-Beatles cover)
I Saw the Light (Rundgren)
Broken Wings (Page- Mister Mister cover)
Hold the Line (Lukather-Toto cover)
Photograph (Ringo)
With a Little Help from My Friends/Give Peace a Chance (Ringo- Beatles/Lennon cover)
All Photos by Gus Griesinger.
We would like to thank Elizabeth Freund from Beautiful Day Media for allowing BackstageAxxess.com to review the show.
