On his first new studio album to be released in the U.S. in 11 years, Ringo Starr made a neo-'60s-sounding record that, if it didn't feature his Beatle-mates, certainly evoked them. Don Was, the king of creative retro, produced half the album, bringing in bands like Jellyfish and the Posies, who devote their careers to trying to sound like the Beatles of 1965-66. Here, with a real Beatle on drums and vocals, they came much closer. Of course, it's always a little weird when a veteran star makes what is essentially clone music meant to resemble the sound of his glory days. But Ringo remains a distinctive drummer and an engaging singer, so even when he was singing something called "Golden Blunders," it was hard to blame him. Besides, there are worse things to copy than the Beatles. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
Time Takes Time is Ringo Starr's 1992 critically acclaimed comeback album. His first studio album since 1983's Old Wave, it followed a successful 1989/1990 world tour with his All-Starr Band. Aligning himself with top producers Don Was, Peter Asher, Phil Ramone and Jeff Lynne, the album was recorded sporadically throughout 1991. The material was written predominantly by outside writers, with Ringo co-writing three songs. Time Takes Time features several celebrity guests including Brian Wilson, Harry Nilsson and former ELO frontman Lynne. Time Takes Time also marked Starr's first alliance with Mark Hudson[1], both of whom would embark on a long-term musical partnership in the ensuing years. Hudson assisted in vocal arrangements on some of the Phil Ramone-produced tracks.
Several tracks were left off the album.[2] A Paul McCartney song entitled "Angel In Disguise", to which Ringo added a verse, has not seen the light of day.[2] Ringo covered the Elvis Presley hit "Don't Be Cruel" which was instead issued as the B-side of the "Weight Of The World" CD single (except in Japan). Another outtake, "Everyone Wins", was issued in Germany as the vinyl B-side of the "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go" single. Two more outtakes that never saw the light of day (to date) were a Phil Picket song "Love Is Going To Get You" , produced by Phil Ramone, and the Jeff Lynne produced "Call Me". Lynne told journalist Peter Palmiere as part of a DISCoveries cover story on Ringo that "Call Me" will never be released at anytime anywhere.[citation needed] Although Starr recorded and released a song on Goodnight Vienna entitled "Call Me", it bears no resemblance to the Jeff Lynne-produced number.
Well-received upon release, many critics considered Time Takes Time Starr's best album since 1973's "Ringo". Rolling Stone Magazine wrote, "The drummer's most consistent, wide-awake album since Ringo, from 1973". [3] The release was met with some indifference by the public however, and thus failed to chart. However, lead single "Weight Of The World" managed to reach #74 in the UK, giving Starr his first single entry there since "Only You (And You Alone)" in 1974.
Time Takes Time has sold about 70,000 copies in America since its release although Private Music before they folded claimed[specify] sales figures a little over 200,000 in the United States. Times Takes Time was the last Ringo Starr album on vinyl, though only in Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Germany.
Despite an All-Starr tour in 1992 to promote the album, Time Takes Time would be Ringo Starr's only album with Private Music before he was dropped from their roster. It was also deleted a few years after its release.
Track listing
"Weight Of The World" (Brian O'Doherty/Fred Velez) – 3:54
