Stop & Smell the Roses

by Ringo Starr

Overview

The idea, back in 1980, was to resurrect Ringo Starr's recording career by the same method that it had been launched with the Ringo album in 1973 -- by having his fellow Beatles and other well-known friends help out. John Lennon was working on a song called "Nobody Told Me," and George Harrison had one ready to go. Then Lennon was murdered in December. His Ringo song languished (his own version would be released in 1984), while Harrison took his tune back and rewrote the lyrics for what became his own hit, "All Those Years Ago." Then Ringo's label, Portrait, lacked enthusiasm for the album, and he moved on to Boardwalk. Finally released as Boardwalk 33246, Stop and Smell the Roses was Ringo's strongest and most effervescent album since Goodnight Vienna, containing two good songs by Paul McCartney and one by George Harrison -- "Wrack My Brain," which became Ringo's final Top 40 hit -- along with music by Harry Nilsson, Ron Wood, and Stephen Stills. Long out of print, Stop and Smell the Roses reappeared on Capitol's The Right Stuff reissue label on September 6, 1994, with six bonus tracks, reflecting the changes made in the album from its original, unreleased version, that increased the album's length by nearly 70 percent and demonstrated that the later song selection was better. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	08/02/2024
Label:	CULTURE FACTORY USA
UPC:	0819514012672

Tracks

1. Private Property
2. Wrack My Brain
3. Drumming Is My Madness
4. Attention
5. Stop and Take Time to Smell the Roses
6. Dead Giveaway
7. You Belong to Me
8. Sure to Fall (In Love With You)
9. Nice Way
10. Back Off Boogaloo
11. Wake Up
12. Red and Black Blues
13. Brandy
14. Stop and Take Time to Smell the Roses (Original Vocal Version)
15. You Can't Fight Lightning
16. Hand Gun Promos

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ringo Starr   Primary Artist,Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Joe Sample   Guest Artist,Piano
Keith Richards   Guest Artist
Al Kooper   Guest Artist
Harry Nilsson   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Ron Wood   Guest Artist
Stephen Stills   Guest Artist,Guitar
George Harrison   Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Paul McCartney   Guest Artist,Bass,Piano,Vocals (Background)
Greg Mathieson   Vocals (Background),Piano
Mike Finnigan   Organ,Piano
Wilton Felder   Bass,Guitar
Howie Casey   Saxophone
Bruce Paulson   Trombone
Herbie Flowers   Bass,Tuba
Jane Getz   Piano
Dennis Budimir   Guitar
Linda McCartney   Vocals (Background)
Jerry Jumonville   Sax (Tenor)
Jim Gordon   Sax (Baritone)
Jim Keltner   Drums
Fred Tackett   Guitar
Lee Thronburg   Trumpet
Harley Thompson   Bass
Lawrence Tuber   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Ton Wood   Bass,Guitar,Saxophone
Al Cooper   Piano,Guitar (Electric)
Lezlee Livrano Pariser   Vocals (Background)
Michael Stergis   Guitar (Rhythm)
Sheila Casey   Vocals (Background)
Ray Cooper   Piano,Guitar,Percussion,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Joe Lala   Percussion
Dennis Belfield   Bass
Rick Riccio   Flute,Vocals (Background)
Richie Zito   Guitar

Technical Credits

Quinton Claunch   Composer
Redd Stewart   Composer
Harry Nilsson   Composer
Chilton Price   Composer
Carl Perkins   Composer
Cantrell   Composer
Bill Cantrell   Composer
Paul McCartney   Composer
Victor Herbert   Composer
George Harrison   Composer
Ringo Starr   Composer
Pee Wee King   Composer