Ringo Starr's Twangy Turn

The former Beatle highlights his love of country music on an album produced by T Bone Burnett

- BY BARRY MAZOR

One aspect of the Beatles' music that attracted British radio and record labels in their early days was its detectable country tinge. All four were fond of American country and rockabilly, yet it would be drummer Ringo Starr, the final band recruit, who'd be most closely associated with those genres. His performances of Carl Perkins's "Honey Don't," the Johnny Russell-written Buck Owens hit "Act Naturally," and his original, "Don't Pass Me By," solidified the connection. After the band broke up, his second solo LP would be 1970's "Beaucoups of Blues," all country and recorded in Nashville.

Most of his work since has been in pop and rock, but now, at age 84, he's returned to twang territory with an all-new album, "Look Up" (Lost Highway, Jan. 10). It's a surprising, revealing delight, notably different from anything he's done before.