Goodnight Vienna by Ringo Starr (CD, 1974)

4988031168738

3050163415

Dr. John, George Harrison, John Lennon, Robbie Robertson, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Elton John, Billy Preston

CD

1974

Goodnight Vienna

Rock

Personnel: Ringo Starr (drums, percussion, vocals); George Harrison, Robbie Robertson, Jesse Ed Davis, Dennis Coffey, Richard Bennett, Alvin Robinson, Steve Cropper (guitars); Vini Poncia (acoustic guitar, background vocals, percussion); Lon Van Eaton (guitar, horn, background vocals); Carl Fortina (accordion); Steve Madaio (trumpet); Trevor Lawrence, Bobby Keys, Lou McCreery, Chuck Finley (horns); John Lennon (piano, guitar); Elton John, Jim Keltner, David Foster, Lincoln Mayorga (piano); Dr. John (piano, electric piano); Tom Hensley, Nicky Hopkins (electric piano); Billy Preston (Clavinet, electric piano); Paul McCartney (keyboards, background vocals); Gary Wright (keyboards); James Newton Howard (synthesizer); Klaus Voorman (bass); Jim Keltner (drums). Background vocals: Harry Nilsson, Clydie King, The Blackberries, The Masst Alberts, Jimmy Gilstrap, Joe Greene, Ira Hawkins, Linda Lawrence, Richard Perry, Derrek Van Eaton, Cynthia Webb, Madeleine Bell, Lesley Duncan, Jean Gilbert, Linda McCartney. Producers: Richard Perry, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voorman. Principally recorded at Sunset Studios and The Producers Workshop, Los Angeles, California in the summer of 1974. Includes liner notes by Staffan Olander. Ringo-shy Beatles fans needn't fear, GOODNIGHT VIENNA is one of Starr's most solid efforts, full of infectious pop ditties that benefit from the bejeweled one's amiable delivery. On a par with the self-titled album that is Ringo's milestone, this one finds him tackling tuneful, light-hearted ditties with the kind of quasi-music hall backing that is the hallmark of the drummer/vocalist's best solo work. Though one of the finest moments is a durable cover of Roger Miller's slippery country classic "Husbands and Wives," Ringo scored major hits with two other VIENNA tunes. "Back Off Boogaloo" is wacky and charming, with an irresistible, semi-martial beat, and the anti-drug "No No Song" (written by Hoyt Axton) is impossible not to sing along with.

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