Ringo's Rotogravure
Released in 1976,Ringo's Rotogravureshows the formerBeatleonce again getting by with a little help from his friends, this time includingDr. John,Van Dyke Parks,Levon Helm,Peter Frampton, Jesse Ed Davis, Klaus Voorman, andMelissa Manchester. Unfortunately, the track listing doesn't quite measure up to the guest list.George Harrison,Paul McCartney, andJohn Lennontry to help their old mate by penning a song apiece, but none of their efforts are remotely memorable; ditto for "This Be Called a Song," a hand-me-down fromEric Clapton. The plodding "Dose of Rock 'N' Roll" actually made it into the U.S. top 30, which only proves that DJs and consumers alike were still willing to cut an ex-Beatle some slack in 1976. That would all begin to change in another year.--Dan Epstein