Ringo Starr
Liverpool 8
(Capitol)
No one could accuse the ageing Beatle of sitting on his hands of late. This is Ringo's fifth release since 2003's Ringorama, although three of those were live recordings. But unlike 2005's consistent and under-appreciated studio set Choose Love, Liverpool 8 is a mixed bag that tries to tick too many boxes.
Name-checking the Fab Four and ending with a harmonised football chant on the title track doesn't bode well, but things do get more inspired. This is one of four songs on which Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart plays - though most listeners would unlikely be able to pick out which ones these are without prior knowledge.
The name Liverpool 8 is a reference to Starr's northern English home city being made European Capital of Culture this year.