Smart Financial Centre
November 2, 2017
The recent Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band 2017 show at Smart Financial Centre on November 2nd was nothing less than spectacular. From the moment Ringo hit the stage and the All Starr band went into the first song, The Beatles' classic "Matchbox,' the audience went wild. This much-anticipated appearance featured not only Ringo, but also several of Rock's greatest performers. Accompanying Ringo was drummer Greg Bissonette. You may remember Greg from his time with the David Lee Roth Band. Todd Rundgren, who you may have seen at Smart Financial Centre a couple of months ago was on guitar and vocals. Also on guitar and vocals was Toto's Steve Lukather. Warren Ham was there on Sax, percussion, keys and many more instruments. Mister Mister bassist Richard Page held down the low end as well as vocals. Former Journey and Santana keyboardist Greg Rolie was also there on keys and vocals. Ringo has been touring with this lineup for several years now and you could definitely tell that by how tight the band was. Each performer put on an incredible performance.
Next up was Ringo's solo classic, "It Don't Come Easy." More whoops and hollers insued. Yeah, Ringo is definitely loved in Houston. This was followed by The Beatles, "What Goes On."
First up with one of his own songs came Todd Rundgren with his hit song, "I Saw The Light" from his "Something/Anything? album. I think that after seeing Todd's recent solo tour and comparing it with his Ringo performance, he seems much more happier and a lot more fun performing with Ringo. In fact, he spent the night clowning it up on stage.
Keyboardist Greg Rolie took the stage next performing the song "Evil Ways" which he recorded with Santana from the debut Santana album, "Santana." Boy that really brought back a lot of memories. Greg's vocals were wonderful. You may also remember Greg as the voice of Santana during their first three albums. Guitarist Steve Lukather did a stellar job on guitar recreating all the great Carlos Santana moments from this song, before taking center stage himself performing Toto's hit song "Rosanna." Wow, that was another great moment of this night's performance. The whole band really got into this number.
Mister Mister's Richard Page stepped into the spotlight now with Mister Mister's number one hit, "Kyrie." His vocals definitely shined on this number.
It's interesting to note that Ringo seemed more at home as a side man on his bandmates' songs as he sat proudly at his drumkit and kept the backbeat going.
Todd stepped into center stage again clowning around a bit with a drum doing a rather odd couple of lines from his song "Hello It's Me," joking, "It sounded better at rehearsal." He then broke into the song, "Bang On The Drum All Day," which has always been one of his best crowd pleasers.
Now finally, Ringo is taking lead again singing his hit Beatles song, "Boys," followed by "Don't Pass Me By." The crowd goes wild again. For a lot of folks there who hadn't seen Ringo solo before, this was just too much of a wait, although it definitely met with their approval. Now Ringo really had the attention of the audience and everyone joined in a big singalong to the tune of another one of Ringo's signature Beatle songs, "Yellow Submarine."
One of the great things about a Ringo show is that he doesn't dominate the stage. He shares it with his friends. It's safe to say that after 6 tours with this band, they are friends. He really shows a lot of camaraderie with the band.
Up next, Greg Rolie returns with the Santana hit, "Black Magic Woman." He just sounds better than ever. I just love his vocals. Steve Lukather just shreds on this song and really nails it. Sometimes he does a better Santana that Carlos himself.
Ringo steps up to the mic again now for another Ringo solo staple and one of his highest charting songs, "Back Off Boogaloo." It's hard to believe that Ringo is 77 years young. He actually moves on the stage like a teenager, bouncing back and forth. And he certainly doesn't sound like he's over the hill. He still has that same familiar Ringo sound in his voice that we've all grown up listening to.
Richard Page then returns with a new song he's written titled "You Are Mine." Yeah, it sounds a little out of place because nobody in the audience has every heard it before, but he explains that Ringo has given it's performance his approval. Ringo even performs on cajon for this performance. For those of you who don't know what a cajon is, a cajon is a small wooden box that you sit on and tap with your hands. It's got to be the first time I've every seen Ringo perform on one of these.
This show was just one hit after another from each of it's performances. Steve Lukather performed Toto's "Africa," followed by Greg Rolie and "Oye Como Va," followed by another performance by Ringo. Yes, it's another signature song from The Beatles, "I Wanna Be Your Man."
Next it's Todd with "Love Is The Answer," then Richard Page with Mister Mister's "Broken Wings," followed by Steve Lukather and Toto's signature hit, "Hold The Line." Ringo even takes a moment to praise the song and tell the crowd that this is the best version he's ever heard his band perform of it.
Back in the spotlight again is our hero, Ringo Starr with his solo hit, "Photograph." Warren Ham does a splendid job on this song.
For a return back to The Beatles and a signal that the show is almost over, Ringo pulls out "Act Naturally" followed by the much anticipated "With A Little Help From My Friends," the last song on tonight's bill.
Although the show clocked in right at two hours, it really didn't seem long enough. When you're having a great time, it's never long enough. I've seen many of Ringo's solo tours and without a doubt, this was the best one so far. Lots of energy, lots of great songs, and a lot of fun. Can't wait to see him again.
Setlist:
1. Matchbox
2. It Don't Come Easy
3. What Goes On
4. I Saw The Light
5. Evil Ways
6. Rosanna
7. Kyrie
8. Bang The Drum All Day
9. Boys
10. Don't Pass Me By
11. Yellow Submarine
12. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
13. You're Sixteen
14. Back Off Boogaloo
15. Your Are Mine
16. Africa
17. Oye Como Va
18. I Wanna Be Your Man
19. Love Is The Answer
20. Broken Wings
21. Hold the Line
22. Photograph
23. Act Naturally
24. With A Little Help From My Friends