(June 27, 2010) Ringo Starr - beloved forever as a Beatle - powered into Mohegan Sun Arena with the 11th edition of his All Starr Band, receiving a Star on the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame prior to a dynamic and wide-ranging Concert.
Ringo was always known as everybody's Beatle, and he certainly keeps that spirit alive with his generosity towards the audience in all of his All Starr Tours. Performances accentuate the concept that everyone on stage is a star, and Concerts under Ringo's auspices over the years have featured such tremendous talents as Jack Bruce (of Cream), Joe Walsh (James Gang and Eagles), New Orleans legend Dr. John, Rick Denko, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson of The Band and John Entwistle of The Who.
To open the current All Starr Show - which began its tour this past week - Ringo raced out on stage, backed by the full band, to sing his legendary solo hit, "It Don't Come Easy." He then followed with "Honey Don't", a Carl Perkins favourite he sang with The Beatles, and "Choose Love", from one of his solo CD's.
The 4th number was the point of turning to the All Starr Band. Rick Derringer performed "Hang On Sloopy", from his time with The McCoys. Edgar Winter followed with a rollicking version of his "Free Ride" and Wally Palmar (The Romantics) wrapped up the first All Star phase with the poignant, rocking "Talkin' In Your Sleep."
Ringo then brought back the Beatles with "I Wanna Be Your Man", a title from their early sound.
Gary Wright told a wonderful story of George Harrison, India and books of Eastern Knowledge before carrying everyone away with the swaying rhythm and verse of his classic, "Dream Weaver."
Richard Page came forward next, with a wide-open version of "Do You Hear Names?", from his time with Mister Mister.
Ringo then returned, with "The Other Side of Liverpool" - from his current CD, "Why Not ?" - followed by all-time Beatle sing-along, "Yellow Submarine."
"Frankenstein" - Edgar Winter's second number - was an absolute tour de force, with Edgar going all-out on portable keyboard, sax, guitar and percussion in the course of the blown out performance, and the entire All Starr Band jamming all around him.
Ringo's next foray covered "Peace Dream" - from his current CD - and "Back Off Boogaloo", a solo favourite.
Wally Palmar completely blew the house away with the ultimate version of "That's What I Like About You" - the greatest hit by The Romantics, and a song that has justifiably attained iconic status.
Rick Derringer encored with "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo", his monster solo hit.
Another early Beatles number for Ringo - "Boys" - followed.
A pair of encores - Gary Wright's "My Love Is Alive" and Richard Page's powerful and touching "Broken Wing" - concluded performances by the All Starrs of their remarkable range of songs. (Bravo - also - to Gregg Bissonette, whose drumming was a steady source of support for the entire show.)
Ringo was full circle - back up front - to lead a quartet of songs as the wrap-up of a dynamic, generous and substantial show. "Phonograph" - from the "Ringo" album, a most successful solo work with George Harrison's support in writing, producing, vocals and guitar - was followed by "Act Naturally" , a Buck Owens favourite that Ringo recorded with The Beatles, the Beatles Sgt. Pepper's classic "With A Little Help From My Friends" and John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" as a coda to the night's music.
For fans of all ages, Ringo's Beatles songs are timeless treasures. The thrill of seeing 1 of the 2 remaining Beatles performing their music goes off the scale. Ringo's solo pieces take their pride of place - a few are classics. It must be said that the explosive concept of blending many fine rock artists of different backgrounds and orientations into a milieu that lets them both jam together and showcase their very best from group and solo work yields a result of very high art and entertainment indeed.