Review: Ringo Starr Releases ‘Long Long Road’ – His 2nd Country-ish LP In A Row With Producer T. Bone Burnett

“Tell me a story, I don’t care if it’s true…” – Ringo Starr, “Returning Without Tears”

Ringo Starr has returned with his second T Bone Burnett produced LP in a row, Long Long Road. This of course, follows Ringo’s fabulous album Look Up which came in January of 2025. I’d call this streak a comeback, but as LL Cool J once sang, “Don’t call it a comeback,” as Ringo has been out touring for years and had released a series of well received EPs over the years since 2019’s What’s My Name. And let’s admit Ringo has always been out there just being cool.

With our second meaningful, really well done Ringo album in a row and simultaneously having new singles from upcoming albums from Paul McCartney (“Days We Left Behind”) and the Stones (the vinyl-only “Rough And Twisted”) I’m getting those early-70s vibes again, man. I find myself saying, “Can you dig it?” quite a bit… to the Rock Chick’s continued exasperation.

Since Ringo wore a cowboy hat on his last LP cover, and this is again produced by T. Bone it’s easy to think this is another country-heavy album. When I say country I mean old country not the garbage that passes for country music these days. Think of the days when the band all used to dress in the same Nudie suits.

This shouldn’t be a surprise. Even in the Beatles Ringo had a hankering for country songs – he covered one of the founding fathers of the Bakersfield sound, Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” after all – and his own “Don’t Pass Me By” was country funneled through a Beatles’ lens. And who can forget Ringo’s take on Carl Perkins’ country hit “Matchbox.”

But I’m not sure I’d describe this album as just country. Yes, there are country songs here but not as many as the last album. There’s enough pedal steel and violin to let you know it’s country tinged, and of course that T Bone is in the producer’s chair, but this feels more pop/pop rock with a very Americana, rootsy lens. There’s a lot of laidback, acoustic tracks here and it suits Ringo perfectly.

Burnett co wrote (or wrote by himself) six of the songs on the album. Ringo has a co write on three of the tracks and there’s one cover. I’m surprised there wasn’t more of a temptation on these guys’ part to do more covers…

I like this album. But it is a sequel of sorts to Look Up, and sequels so rarely live up to the original. Well, maybe Godfather II did. When you do a sequel you lose the element of surprise. You can’t sneak up on anybody. Expectations kick in. Even I would tell you, I like this album, but if I had to choose which was better, I’d probably say Look Up. Not that this isn’t a great record in its own right.

As mentioned, I think this is a more country tinged album, rather than pure country. There are three great country tracks here. The album starts off with “Returning Without Tears.” I have to admit when it started I glanced at the stereo to make sure it wasn’t John Denver… it has that lilting acoustic vibe. Molly Tuttle does a nice background/harmony vocal. It’s a very promising start.

The one cover here is the old chestnut, “I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore.” I think this track was made famous by the aforementioned Carl Perkins but call me crazy I think Perry Como did this song as well. You’ll recognize the name Perry Como from Christmas, kids. I also think Charlie Rich did this one. It’s classic country to the core.

“Why” is another countrified track and man, it’s an ear worm. Of the country steeped tracks, this is probably my favorite. It’s jaunty and upbeat. It’s got a great acoustic guitar solo from David Mansfield. “Whyyyy, I don’t know…”

The final track, a nostalgic little ditty, is the second single from the album and the title track. I somehow saw the video this weekend, it was kinda cool with Ringo in an awesome old convertible. This song is so country there’s a spoken word interlude. According to the Rock Chick, who grew up on a farm, that was standard in old country songs. Speaking of Charlie Rich, that’s the vibe. Despite that it’s a nice track. Ok, I wish he hadn’t done the spoken word piece.

As I said, this album is more Americana, rootsy, laidback rock than country. One of my favorites is “Baby Don’t Go.” I love the lyric, ‘I don’t know where I am, but I’m glad to be here…” I think we’ve all been there. Ringo’s drumming is great throughout this record but especially on this track. One of my favs, for sure!

“It’s Been Too Long” is another standout track. We get some dirge-like electric guitar on this one. This track really grabbed me. He’s got Molly Tuttle and Sarah Jarosz (who sang with David Crosby) doing backing vocals and it’s an ear worm. Love the brief, weird keyboards in the middle.

“You And I (Wave Of Love)” is a nice love-song duet with Molly Tuttle. There’s a lot of “love” on this album. “My Baby Don’t Want Nothing,” except of course, love. “She’s Gone” has the lyrics of a classic country weeper, but it’s really just a great sad song. Love the violin in the background. It’s also one of my favorites.

The big twist on the record is “Choose Love,” one of Ringo’s cowrites. It’s recorded by a bunch of other musicians than the ones T Bone uses. It’s a trippy song. The guitars almost sound like sitars. He name checks “The Long And Winding Road” (from Let It Be) and “Tomorrow Never Knows” (from Revolver) which is nice that he touches on a Paul song and a John song. It’s a great track and yes, we should all “choose love.” It’s a nice change up.

Does the record have slightly less impact than the last one? Yeah, probably. But by the same token, if you take this out of the shadow of its predecessor it’s a really great record This late career resurgence with T Bone at the helm is something Ringo really deserves. I absolutely love this for him.

All Beatles fans and fans of country-rock should put this bad boy on. It’s a rootsy, rich record. And I’m always a sucker for a bunch of acoustic guitar rockers.

Cheers! “Peace and Love” to all of you, man.