Ringo’s Eighth All-Starr band was for the most part, the
most original hit laden line-up, to that point in the All-Starr history; besides
the Fourth All-Starr band, Frampton, Bruce, Brooker and Kirk. For this incarnation, he tapped Colin Hay of
Men at Work fame on gutiar. Also, an
obscure (in the US)
name, Paul Carrack, who has one of the voices you know, but you might now know
his name for piano. On bass was John
Waite who is best known for his hit song, Missing
You. But I guess he also played bass
with his old band, the forgettable The Baby’s.
Returning on drums was the ever talented Sheila E. At the helm as musical director, who Ringo
relies on to get everything together, is the uber talented, Mark Rivera. This tour was a long one, 33 dates over three
months. This is a highlight in my Ringo
Starr career because it marks the first time he played the Mohegan Sun
Arena. In 2001 when he played there, he
played in the Pavilion, which was a big 5,000 seat white tent they set up in
the parking lot while the arena was being built.
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| Stock photo from the 2003 tour |
I got tickets for my Mother and I in March when the tour was
announced on Tickets.com. I scored 8th
row off to the right side. This took
place on a Thursday, and for a weeknight, the play was filled. Ringo came on right at 7, like the ticket
said. He’s always known for a prompt
start, even if the place isn’t filled.
The announcer announced the band, they got into place, the
lights went down and Ringo opened the show with It Don’t Come Easy. Colin
and Mark played a joint solo in the song.
I love Colin Hay, I’ve seen him 10+ times in concert on his own, and 3
times with Ringo, but he is a very scripted guitar player. Like me, he doesn’t like to improvise, most
of his guitar solos were the same as the official recording, which was recorded
on the first night of the tour, a music industry no-no. But it is a decent show, although it suffers
from Brent Carpenter’s (chosen style) of intermingling documentary footage
between songs. The now out of print DVD
and CD simply entitled Tour 2003 is a
gem. After It Don’t Come Easy, he said hello to the audience and mentioned
that he played this venue on each tour, all 8.
This was incorrect. He started
playing the casino in 1997. This was in
fact the 8th concert he played there, but not the 8th
band to play there.
Ringo told Colin to start Honey Don’t. He played the
opening that sounded just like the recording.
My mother, who joined me, said he looked like he put his finger in a
light socket. I remember that he had
really spiked hair. Paul took a turn on
a piano solo. He really is a fantastic
singer and player. Colin and/or Ringo
messed up the guitar solo. Colin didn’t
play enough bars or Ringo missed coming back in, they shared a laugh about it
and finished the song. Ringo then
mentioned his new CD Ringo Rama, and
said he was going to do a few tracks. He
introduced Memphis in My Mind. He screwed up the third verse. He did it on the official recording too. It had a bluesy piano riff courtesy of
Paul.
Ringo then introduced Paul Carrack and they played on of the
very first song he wrote, How Long. There was a bit in there for the audience to
sing along. His voice was silky smooth
as usual. I really wish he would tour America. I saw him at Ringo’s birthday at Radio City
Music Hall. He was walking with Colin Hay after the show
and I said hi to both, I think Colin recognized me, I’ve only met him like 8
times. He’s very approachable and a nice
gent. Paul seemed nice too. Mark Rivera played a great sax solo.
Up next was Colin Hay.
I’m pretty sure Mark Rivera learned the flute just to play Down Under. He’s very versatile and Ringo is lucky to
have him. After the song, Colin
remarked, ‘thank God for the hits’ and then introduced John Waite who sang Isn’t It Time from The Baby’s.
Sheila E sung A Love
Bizarre with Colin singing under her.
She did an extended drum solo and had her name on the bass drum which
also light up. She even hit drums behind
her while she was doing her drum solo.
Colin played a funky jazzy guitar riff.
Sheila reintroduced Ringo who sang Boys. Paul played a nice
riff on the piano. Since there were only
4 All-stars, they got to sing 3 songs a piece (except for Sheila). Colin did Overkill,
which was a highlight for me. He did not
do this when he was in the 2008 All-Starr band.
Ringo came down from his riser to sing Act Naturally. Colin did an admirable job of playing the twangy
country guitar riff that song needs. You’re 16, which is the last time it was
played on tour was the standard arrangement, but with nice piano work from
Paul. Mark played Barri-sax, I believe. Yellow
Submarine was next. Ringo inserted
“Mohegan Sun” into the appropriate part and got a rise out of the audience. He got everyone on their feet during this
song.
This was the first tour Ringo did since George passed. As a way to tribute his friend, the
All-Starrs did Here Comes the Sun. Each All-Starr did a verse, Sheila played the
shaker and Colin played the guitar. While
it wasn’t the first time a Beatle’s song was played on tour with the
All-Starr’s it was the first time it was played by all of them as a feature
during the tour.
Ringo came back out to play the new song, Never Without You for George. This song proved difficult for Colin to
play. He did try though. Mark played an acoustic guitar. This tour was difficult because they really
could have used a second guitarist. Like
in the last 4 tours, there have been 2 guitar players; one lead and one
rhythm. Mark pushes Ringo, like when he
made him try Oh My My in 2008. That was the tour highlight for me. They did Don’t
Pass Me By for the first time on this tour.
Ringo even played the first verse on the piano, which shows he’s more
than just a drummer, and was in the right place at the right time and whatever
else people say about him. Mark
substituted the violin from the White Album for Harmonica. I have never cared for the recorded
version. After this song, a high roller couple
came in late and Ringo said something like, “just wouldn’t book your ticket
early?” This was also the last tour that
the No No Song was done on. It’s good to retire some songs to make room
for others.
After this song, Paul Carrack took over and did the Squeeze
hit, Tempted. It rocked, and hoped it would make it to the
CD or DVD but didn’t. Next up was the
too thin for his own good John Waite singing When I See You Smile. For The Glamorous Life, Shelia came out from
behind the drum set to the timbales and rocked them, even playing with her high
heels. She was playing with the front
men, even helped Colin on the guitar for a few seconds. After a lengthy timbale solo, it was back to
Ringo for I Wanna Be Your Man. After that,
it was back to Paul for a poignant version of The Living Years from
his Mike + The Mechanics days.
John played his ultra hit, Missing You. He couldn’t
play bass on this song, so Mark strapped on the bass. Colin then did Who Can It Be Now, one of the biggest hits of the evening. Mark nailed the sax solo and riff.
Ringo left the drums and closed the main show with Photograph. Ringo did the bit about not leaving the stage
during the encore break, but making us clap as if they had left. Now he just plays straight through; none of
this fake encore stuff, everyone knows the artists are coming back out.
The second to last song was the forgettable 1992 single, Don’t Go Where The Road Don’t Go. It has been played on a few tours, but now
has been retired. It’s got the same
message as the No No Song, but with a
different melody.
Ringo then closed the show for good, doing With A Little Help from My Friends. After doing his jumping jacks and peace and
loving, he was off the stage in a flash and the All-Starrs ended the song and the
show. They bowed and Colin said good
night and it was over.
After the show, I got a mug and program. It was the first of many concerts I have seen
at the Mohegan Sun Arena. I really miss
the days when they used Tickets.com.
Before they switched to Ticketmaster® fans really had a chance to get
really good seats and not get hosed the way we do now. I got eight rows from the stage in section 1
with was house right. It was a prime
location to watch the show as we were too close to watch on the big screens,
but could see the action up close.
It Don’t Come Easy
Honey Don’t
Memphis
in Your Mind
How Long
Down Under
Isn’t It Time
A Love Bizarre
Boys
Overkill
Act Naturally
You’re Sixteen
Yellow Submarine
Here Comes the Sun
Never Without You
Don’t Pass Me By
No No Song
Tempted
When I See You Smile
The Glamorous Life
I Wanna Be Your Man
The Living Years
Missing You
Who Can It Be Now
Photograph
Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go
With A Little Help From My Friends.
