Editor's Note: During February 1999, we featured Time Takes Time as the album of the month. Please tell us what you like or don't like about the album and rank it from 1 (positively awful) to 10 (great beyond your wildest dreams). Fans' Reviews follow the General Commentary. Send your comments to gshultz@airmail.net , and be sure to include your name. Click here to read reviews of other Ringo albums.
"I'm out to prove that I'm still alive"
Ringo said while promoting his tenth solo offering, Time Takes Time.
Prove it he did. The album met with critical acclaim with many reviewers
hailing it as Ringo's triumphant come-back album.
Although Ringo's 1989 tour with the first All
Starr Band had been a success, he had not released a studio album since
1983's Old Wave. Time Takes Time was Ringo's reentry into
the recording world after becoming clean and sober. Many of the songs on
the album reflect Ringo's new positive philosophy and life style.
Time Takes Time was released on
May 27, 1992. Ringo signed with the Private Music label in February of 1991
and almost immediately began considering possible producers for the project.
Ringo explained, "It's been so long for me that I didn't really know
any producers I want to go with for the whole record. So I figured I'd try
a few people" In the end, four of the best lent their talents to the
project.. They were Don Was, Phil Ramone, Jeff Lynne, and Peter Asher.
There was also the question of material to be
resolved. According to Don Was, "People were sending in songs while
we were doing the album. I went through the songs that were appropriate
and he had some songs. We got together and picked the ones we wanted to
do."
Ringo and his old friend from the RingO label,
Johnny Warman, wrote four songs for the album. The ones that made the final
cut are, "Runaways," "After All These Years," and "Don't
Go Where The Road Don't Go." Another Starkey-Warman collaboration "Everyone
Wins," mislabeled "Everybody Wins" was available only on
the German issue of the "Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go" CD
single.
The other seven songs selected for inclusion
are "Weight of the World" by O'Doherty and Velez, Felman and Lynch's
"Don't Know a Thing About Love," "Golden Blunders" by
Auer and Stringfellow, "All In the Name of Love" by Jerry Lynn
Williams, Stummer and Manning's "I Don't Believe You," "In
a Heartbeat" by Diane Warren, and "What Goes Around" by Rick
Suchow.
The outtake "Don't Be Cruel" was included
on the "Weight of the World" single and the Japanese pressing
of the album. Three other outtakes from the session have not yet seen the
light of day. These are "Call Me," "Love is going to Get
You" by Phil Picket and a McCartney/Starkey song called "Angel
in Disguise."
Don Was, who enthused , "The coolest thing
about this project is watching Ringo play drums," produced the first
single"Weight of the World" as well as "Don't Know A Thing
About Love," "I Don't Believe You," "In A Heartbeat,"
and "What Goes Around." Don also remixed the Phil Ramone and Peter
Asher contributions so that there would be a more cohesive feel to the project.
.
Jeff Lynne commented that "It was great
to work with Ringo. He's one of my favorite drummers." Lynne produced
"Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go," "After all These Years",
and "Don't Be Cruel." as well as the unreleased track "Call
Me" Jeff remixed his own songs so that they would be more in keeping
with the style of the other songs on the album.
Phil Ramone produced "All in the Name of
Love" and "Runaways." He was also the producer for the unreleased
"Love is Going to Get You" of which he says, "It was a great
track, but it did not fit in with the character of the songs he did with
Don Was and the other producers."
"Golden Blunders" and "Everyone
Wins" as well as the unissued "Angel in Disguise" were produced
by Peter Asher.
Since Ringo has turned his life around, he speaks
openly of God, love, right choices, and clean living. Many of the songs
on the album confirm his new attitude on life, but they are by no means
preachy. The songs, even the ones Ringo did not write himself, are for the
most part upbeat affirmations of life. There is a very Beatlesque feel to
many of the tracks. Best of all, Ringo's spirit shines through. Each producer
was careful to arranged his set of songs to perfectly fit Ringo's voice
and style. It is obvious that Ringo and company put a lot of labor and love
into the Time Takes Time sessions and the result is a very solid
and immensely satisfying album. With Ringo and Vertical Man,
Time Takes Time ranks as one of Ringo's bests.
After almost ten years without having a studio
album from Ringo, I really did not know what to expect of Time Takes
Time. To tell the truth, I was eagerly looking forward to hearing this
album, but as the same time I was a bit apprehensive. As it turned out,
I should not have wasted my time worrying because Time Takes Time
quickly became, with Vertical Man and Ringo, one of my all time favorite
Ringo albums.
Ringo had promised that Time Takes Time
would be a "Straight ahead rock-pop album" and that's exactly
what he delivered. It's so satisfying to hear Ringo's signature drumming
style on all of the songs. His voice sounds strong and self assured. The
arrangements and backing vocals complement him perfectly. Ringo's renewed
energy and enthusiasm is apparent throughout as is his growth as a songwriter..
Even the tracks he didn't write seem perfectly suited for personality and
new attitude.
It's hard to select a list of favorite songs
from this album because there is really not a throw away in the lot. That
said, I guess I would have to give top honors to "Don't Go Where the
Road Don't Go" and "After All These Years," which are both
upbeat, top-tapping tunes with autobiographical lyrics, as well as the very
Beatle sounding "I Don't Believe You." Of course I've almost played
a hole in "All In the name of Love" and "In A Heartbeat"
and "What Goes Around" as well. And then there's "Weight
of the World, " "Runaways," "Don't Know a Thing About
Love," and "Golden Blunders" all of which have been happily
stuck in my head at one time or another.
This album is an overlooked gem. Every Ringo/Beatle
fan should give it a listen. Those who already appreciate Ringo's talents
will love it. The skeptics will be pleasantly surprised. I give Time
Takes Time a 9.5.
~ Mary Ann
I was lucky to purchase Time Takes Time
when it hit the Wal-Mart discount bins...I think I purchased it for no more
than 3 dollars...after several spins, I was mesmerized...it simply is one
of Ringo's best...a New York Times critic said the album was even better
than "Ringo"...and I do
agree...it is much more of an enjoyable listen from beginning to end...the
first Wilbury-ish sounding track "Weight of the World" is
a great solid opener. ..there are several Beatley sounding tracks "Don't
know a thing about love" as well as "I don't believe You"...and
the tracks produced by Jeff Lynne just beg the question..."why didn't
he produce the whole album like he did with George's "Cloud Nine"...anyway,
I think the latest CD re-issue by BMG should
have included bonus tracks such as the unreleased songs mentioned in the
above intro...as well as the solid performance of "Don't be Cruel"...if
you ever see the Ringo single anywhere, pick it up...it's well worth it
for that track Don't Be Cruel...anyway, this album ranks right up there
with Vertical Man, falling only so ever slightly short...Ringo's
albums seem to be like fine wine...they are getting better with age....I
rate this album as a solid 8....
~ Michael P. McGrath
In 1991, right after I graduated from high
school, I got my first cd player, and the Beatles' White Album was my first
cd purchase. Every time I bought a Beatles album I was amazed at how
good it was and how much I enjoyed it. After a short time, I was a
full-fledged Beatles
fanatic. I quickly owned every Beatles cd. I also had John Lennon
and Paul McCartney compilation albums, and I pretty much figured I had all
the Beatles music that any reasonable person needed. Then one evening,
by chance, I saw Ringo Starr on Entertainment Tonight, and they played a
clip of his music video for "Weight of the World" and mentioned
his new
album. I got really excited at the idea of new music from a Beatle.
It wasn't exactly a new Beatles album, but I was pretty fired up at the
thought of anything new from any Beatle, so I went out to buy Ringo's new
cd, and Time Takes Time began phase two of my Beatle cd buying frenzy:
the solo years. I think Time Takes Time is great, and it was
this album that really made me look at Ringo in a new light and admire him.
"Weight of the World" is a very catchy pop song, and "Don't
Go Where the Road Don't Go" is a hard rocking song with great lyrics
and
references to his past. I think these two songs rank right up there
with Ringo's best ever. My other favorites include "Golden Blunders"
and "In a Heartbeat," though I pretty much like all of the songs.
Ringo's drumming is great (and it's just him on drums, which I like--it
bugs me to read other drummers' names on his studio albums), and, for the
first time, his songs really seem to have a message. I would give
this album a 9.5.
~Travis Truitt
Time takes time is a great cd, and I like
it very much...great songs, great musicians, but here in Brazil we had a
problem....this album was released by BMG and just a few people listened
this CD...there some great songs like "Weight of the World", "What
Goes Around"...I give a ten (course), Ringo is great.
~Raul
Brazil
I thoroughly enjoy "Time Takes Time"
and I give it a score of 9. I have all of Ringo's albums, (CD's),
and "Time Takes Time" is one of my favorites. It's right
up there with "Ringo", and "Vertical Man". I also
love "Bad Boy", and I know a lot of people don't agree, but I
think it has great songs on it. It's difficult to choose a favorite
track on "Time Takes Time" because I really like them all, but
my top three picks would have to be, "In a Heartbeat", "After
All These Years", and "Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go".
"Runaways" is perhaps my least favorite track. I especially
like the fact that when I'm listening to the drums, I know it's just Ringo
I hear. He doesn't need anyone else playing drums on his albums.
"Time Takes Time" is absolutely delightful to listen to.
Ringo has always been able to make my heart skip a beat. He was 'fab'
as a Beatle, and he's just as fabulous as an ex-Beatle. Thanks, Ringo,
for everything.
~ Sharon Weeman of Kennebunk, Maine
Rate TIME TAKES TIME an 8 . . . as good as
anything Ringo had done up to that point. Like it for being fun pop
and rock. Also like it for not depending on superstar guest appearances,
remakes of oldies, and songs written by the other ex-Beatles, elements too
common on too many of Ringo Starr's albums. With TIME TAKES TIME,
he carries the show himself, and does it very well. Seven years later, this
great album is available in the discount racks . . . grab it while
you can!
~ Jim LaRegina
When I first heard the songs off Time Takes
Time, I loved them. I just couldn't get enough of it. There are some really
rockin, tunes on that album. I just wish Ringo would have played at least
one of those songs last year with the All Starrs. I hope he does this year.
I am going to see him 9 days before my birthday. What a celebration that
will be. But getting back to the album Time
Takes Time, I would have to say it is my second favorite next to his first
album Ringo. There is really a lot of good stuff on that album.
~ Nora
Time Takes Time gets a 9 from me. My second
favorite Ringo Starr CD/LP. "Don't go where the road don't go"
is excellent. I've always loved Jeff Lynne productions. To sum it up as
a whole.........It's a nice album to listen to.
~ Gary Owen
While travelling through a local Target store, I
glanced at the bargain rack of CD's and there was Ringo's picture on the
cover of a CD. Not having been well versed in the music world since my marriage
in 1990, I finally got my CD player and one of the first CD's was "
Time Takes
Time" (mainly because of the price). It started off good and I kept
listening. Then I recall reading somewhere about the album some years before
and all of these musicians joining him on the project. The album pretty
much grew on me very nicely, but I especially liked " In A
Heartbeat".It was truly well worth the wait and price. If you see it,
grab it! (But what do I know-- I also liked "Beaucoups of Blues"
and "Stop and Smell the Roses".) I give it a 9.
~~Brian from LA
If "Ringo" sounds like a party,
a really good party that you'd like to be invited to, "Time Takes Time"
is a conscious party, and, well, you are invited. It's a coming out
(of rehab) party, and Ringo's so happy to be alive, he's not about to spoil
it for you. Like most parties, it kind of
winds down towards the end, but at least you know when to go home.
Fortunately, the guests don't overshadow the man throwing the party.
And with Ringo in the (only) drummer's seat, this has a mostly consistent
vibe, although oddly, Ringo and Jeff Lynne sound more like a band than everyone
else on the other tracks. Every good party has its moments, and this
definitely has its share. Beatles karaoke? "Weight Of The
World." (Hey, he doesn't just sound like one, he looks like one,
too!) "I Don't Believe You" is a good natured kiss-off.
But with "Golden Blunders" he's in it for the long haul.
(This to be said about the host: He's married to Barbara Bach, and
you're not.) A word to the wise? "Don't Go Where The Road
Don't Go." (Take that from one's who's driven off the road on
occasion.) And lest we forget why we're at the party anyway, there's
"After All These Years," a great celebration of rock and roll
that can make dancing with your sister (on a Saturday night, even) seem
like fun. It's understood, it's understood. Ah, if only "Don't
Be Cruel" had made the cut, but I've got the single, anyhow, and it's
a great party in itself for those with short attention spans or limited
party time. (Another favorite from this era would be "You Never
Know." A very Ringo song, even more so than "Wish Upon A
Star." Is "Curly Sue" the essence of Ringo, or is Ringo
the essence of "Curly Sue"? Oh, they're both lovable mop
tops!) Anyroad, your invitation's in the shops. All you have
to do is show up. What's keeping you?
~ Steven B. Topping
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