Vertical Man

Vertical Man
Studio album by Ringo Starr
Released	15 June 1998
Recorded	February 1997-February 1998
Genre	Rock and roll
Length	51:48
Label	Mercury
Producer	Mark Hudson, Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr chronology
Ringo Starr and His Third All-Starr Band-Volume 1 (1997) Vertical Man (1998) VH1 Storytellers (1998)

Vertical Man is Ringo Starr's 11th studio album, issued in 1998. The release represents Starr's attempt at a comeback following the enormous success of The Beatles Anthology project. Like some of his best-loved projects, Starr would engage the help of many of his musician friends in making Vertical Man.

Following 1992's Time Takes Time, Starr began a musical partnership with musician and songwriter Mark Hudson which lasted until a split during the sessions for what would become Liverpool 8. The album being "Re-Produced" by Dave Stewart, Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick to mix the tracks, with Starr and Hudson producing, Vertical Man was cut sporadically mostly in 1997. Among the celebrity guests were Scott Weiland, Brian Wilson, Alanis Morissette, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler (with whom Hudson had composed "Livin' On The Edge"), and last but not least, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

With The Beatles' fame having extended to newer and younger fans, thanks to the recent Anthology, it was reasoned that Starr would benefit from the exposure; McCartney's Flaming Pie had done very well upon its 1997 release. With Starr newly signed to a worldwide major label deal with Mercury Records, he was hoping for a similar reaction.

Released in June 1998 - with "La De Da" as the lead single - Vertical Man received average reviews and reached #61 in the US, the highest peaking album by Starr since 1976's Ringo's Rotogravure. In the UK, the album bubbled below the official Top 75, reaching #85 there. Although the reaction was encouraging, it was ultimately not enough to make Vertical Man or "La De Da" a hit. The album was no longer distributed shortly after 2000.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
Galeria Musical	link

Track listing

All songs by Richard Starkey/Mark Hudson/Dean Grakal/Steve Dudas, except where noted.

1. "One" – 3:02
2. "What in the... World" – 3:29
   • features Paul McCartney on bass and backing vocals, with Joe Walsh on electric guitar and guitar solo
3. "Mindfield" – 4:06
   • features Walsh on electric guitar and guitar solo, and Paul and Linda McCartney on backing vocals
4. "King of Broken Hearts" – 4:44
   • features George Harrison on slide guitar solo and backing vocals
5. "Love Me Do" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) – 3:45
   • features Steven Tyler on harmonica and backing vocals
6. "Vertical Man" – 4:42
   • features Ozzy Osbourne on backing vocals
7. "Drift Away" (Mentor Williams) – 4:09
   • features Steven Tyler on drums, with Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette sharing vocals with Starr
8. "I Was Walkin'" (Starkey/Hudson/Grakal) – 3:19
   • features Steven Tyler on harmonica, as well as backing vocals with Paul McCartney and Morissette
9. "La De Da" – 5:41
   • features Walsh on electric and slide guitar and solo, and backing vocals with Paul McCartney, Tyler and 43 additional vocalists
10. "Without Understanding" (Starkey/Hudson/Dudas) – 4:22
    • features Brian Wilson on backing vocals
11. "I'll Be Fine Anywhere" – 3:39
    • features Harrison on electric guitar and guitar solo
12. "Puppet" – 3:19
    • features Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals
13. "I'm Yours" (Starkey/Hudson/Mark Nevin) – 3:24
    • string arrangement by George Martin
14. "Mr. DoubleItUp" (Starkey/Hudson/Dudas/Grakal) - 4:00
    • Japan-only bonus track
15. "Everyday" - 4:09
    • Japan-only bonus track

Release history

Country	Date	Label	Format	Catalogue #
UK and Europe	15 June 1998	Mercury	CD	558 598-2
Japan	1998	Mercury	CD	PHCR-1640
United States	15 June 1998	Mercury, BMG Direct Marketing, Inc.	CD	314 558 598-2, D123315