Ringo Starr - Goodnight Vienna

Goodnight Vienna is the fourth studio album by British drummer and singer songwriter Ringo Starr, originally released in November 1974 via Apple Records.

Goodnight Vienna followed the huge success of his third album Ringo (1973), and was recorded in August 1974 and produced once again by Richard Perry.

John Lennon was the only ex-Beatle to contribute to this album as Paul McCartney was busy with Wings promoting the Band On The Run album and George Harrison was busy recording his Dark Horse album.

John Lennon contributed the title track “Goodnight Vienna” to the album and played piano on the track. Lennon also suggested Starr should cover The Platters hit song “Only You (And You Alone)”, on which Lennon played piano.

Elton John and Taupin contributed a song for the album “Snookeroo”, on which John played piano. Harry Nilsson gave the song “Easy For Me” to Starr to record on the album.

A couple of songs were originals written by Starr and Vini Poncia, and Starr chose to cover a folk song the “No No Song” written by Hoyt Axton, which was released as a single, reaching #3 on the US Singles charts.

Another stellar line-up of musicians contributed to the recordings on the album including Robbie Robertson, Billy Preston, Jim Keltner, James Newton Howard, Lon Van Eaton, Bobby Keys, Klaus Voorman, Dr. John, Harry Nilsson and Nicky Hopkins.

The album reached #8 on the US Billboard 200, #30 on the UK and #11 on the Australian Albums charts, not reaching the same level of commercial success as its predecessor Ringo.

This is another strong solo album from Ringo, with a good selection of songs and first class production and playing with his “all starr” friends and musicians.

This album is a 2018 reissue on 180 gram black vinyl housed in a single pocket sleeve with a printed inner sleeve and remastered audio, pressed in Europe via Apple and Capitol Records.