Ringo Starr has announced details of his new country album, ‘Look Up’.
The album which is to arrive on 10 January next year, will also feature the new lead single, ‘Time On My Hands’.
Featuring 11 songs overall, the album will see former Beatles icon Star join forces with some household names from the world of country music.
Such names include T Bone Burnett, Billy Swan and Bruce Sugar, and marks Starr’s return to country music after 50 years, a genre which helped to define his career.
Previewing this album, Ringo Starr has shared the lead single, ‘Time On My Hands’, which also written alongside Paul Kennerly, co-producer Daniel Tashian and Burnett.
“I used to have a true love/ Everything was fine/ But now she’s found a new love/ she’s no longer mine,” he sings. “I thought it was forever/ But she had other plans/ Now these arms are empty and I’ve got time on my hands.”
Check it out below.
“so beautiful”
Country music is certainly a genre which resonates with Ringo Starr.
The drummer had contributed several country-tinged tracks into his work with The Beatles, including ‘Don’t Pass Me By’, ‘Act Naturally’, and ‘What Goes On’.
Starr also dabbled in the genre during his earlier work with Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, as well as releasing country album ‘Beaucoup Of Blue’ in 1970, his second solo release.
On the genre, Ringo Starr had this to say.
“I’ve always loved country music. And when I asked T Bone to write me a song, I didn’t even think at the time that it would be a country song – but of course it was, and it was so beautiful.” Ringo said. “I had been making EPs at the time and so I thought we would do a country EP -but when he brought me nine songs I knew we had to make an album! And I am so glad we did. I want to thank, and send Peace & Love, to T Bone and all the great musicians who helped make this record. It was a joy making it and I hope it is a joy to listen to”.
“inventive approach”
Paying tribute to Starr, T Bone Burnett also added this.
Burnett said: “I have loved Ringo Starr and his playing and his singing and his aesthetic for as long as I can (or care to) remember. He changed the way every drummer after him played, with his inventive approach to the instrument. And, he has always sung killer rockabilly, as well as being a heartbreaking ballad singer.
“To get to make this music with him was something like the realisation of a 60-year dream I’ve been living,” he added. “None of the work that I have done through a long life in music would have happened if not for him and his band. Among other things, this album is a way I can say thank you for all he has given me and us”.
This album was also teased by Ringo Starr, when he shared a photo of himself wearing a cowboy hat on Instagram.
