When 84-year-old Ringo Starr expressed an interest in making a country EP (a short album) to T-Bone Burnett, the Grammy-winning producer of the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou, Burnett jumped at the chance. Starr asked him to write him one song, but Burnett continued writing until he had enough material for a full album.
The result, Look Up, is delightful. Burnett produced the album with an A-list of Nashville session players (plus Ringo on drums) and found it easy to get people to sign on to work with Starr. “I Live for Your Love” is essentially a duet with bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle. Much less obvious in the mix is Allison Krauss singing backing vocals on the album's closer, “Thankful.” But every song is relaxed and filled with Starr’s charm and Burnett’s authentic Country/Americana sensibilities.
Look Up is surprisingly fun, and listeners will play it repeatedly. (Universal Music Enterprises)
About the Author
Robert J. Keeley is a professor of education emeritus at Calvin University and leads music at 14th St. Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich.