Ringo Starr and his All-Starrs give a great show at Ste. Michelle Winery in Seattle (slideshow)

August 1, 2010 - Ringo Starr and his All-Starr band performed at Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville last night, July 31, east of Seattle.

We arrived around 4:15 and were treated to part of the soundcheck, which was closed, but we could hear it all the same. After a cloudy and breezy day, the weather was beginning to break and the sunshine burst through for a very enjoyable evening of music from the ex-Beatle and his current line-up of classic hits musicians.

This is the 11th version of the All-Starrs since 1989, four decades of touring since Ringo was a Beatle.

The Eleventh All-Star Band Members include:

Ringo Starr – drums, vocals
Wally Palmer – guitar, vocals (the Romantics)
Rick Derringer – guitar, vocals (the McCoys, Edgar Winter, Derringer Band)
Edgar Winter – keyboards, saxophone, vocals
Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
Richard Page – Bass, vocals (Mr. Mister)
Gregg Bissonette – drums, vocals

Ringo’s tour is promoting his latest album Y Not, his first album since 2008′s Liverpool 8′ in 2008. It features a duet with Paul McCartney on Walk With You, the album’s lead single; and includes guest appearances by Joe Walsh, Joss Stone, Ben Harper, and Richard Marx.

(see slideshow of our pictures below as well as a you tube of some rehearsal video on the east coast introducing the band and giving a taste of the music.)

In attendance at last night’s show included Alan White (of Yes, former drummer for John Lennon), Donn Bennett of Donn Bennett’s Drum Studios in Bellevue, and Seattle Pop Culture Examiner Gillian Gaar, (see her Ringo review here) author of “Return of the King: Elvis’s Great Comeback.” 

Ringo came on stage on-time at 7:15 with his All-Starrs, for a two hour set of rock classic hits from the Beatles and his All-Starrs former hits. From Y Not, Ringo sang "The Other Side Of Liverpool" and "Peace Dream", the 2005 track Choose Love. From his '70s solo hits he did "It Don't Come Easy," "Back Off Boogaloo" and "Photograph."  From the Beatles, he sang "Act Naturally," "Boys," "I Wanna Be Your Man," "Yellow Submarine," and "With A Little Help From My Friends."

Ringo’s humor was in full-swing, making comments now and then about the wine being consumed by the crowd in the reserved seats as well as the sprawling lawn covered with lawn chairs, blankets and little tables with cheese and grapes, imitating someone slurring “more wine!!!” which was hilarious.

At the end of the show, which had no encore (I guess the old “this is the part where we run off, you scream, and then we come back and do more songs. So let’s skip that part and we’ll just stay here”, is also getting old.) Ringo yelled out, “I love you ALL. Thank you very much everyone!” The band bowed and they left suddenly it seemed, leaving us to quickly pack up our blankets before we were trampled down. 

Edgar Winter performed his legendary hit "Frankenstein," explaining to the audience in his famous southern drawl that he was the “first one in musical history to do theeee—issss!” and to great cheers, slung the strapped keyboard over his shoulders to begin the awesome song that everyone stood up for. He also did his hit, "Free Ride" which had the audience up dancing and doing air-punches in unison.

Gary Wright did his etherical hit "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive”, explaining how he got the idea for Dream Weaver. He talked about his friendship with George Harrison. He explained that in 1972, George Harrison invited him to join him in India and gave him the book, Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. It would deeply inspire him. He came across a poem that talked about the mind weaving dreams, and that is how this song was born. Gary Wright has a new album called “Connected” and a beautiful new song called “Satisfied.” Ringo then made the comment, "George never gave ME a book!" getting laughs from the crowd.

Rick Derringer launched into an rocking version of his "Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo" -- as well as an energetic rendition of his early McCoys hit "Hang On Sloopy." At that point, with everyone on their feet and dancing with wine glasses in their hands, on their blankets, I commented that “this makes me feel like I’m at Woodstock…” (At Rick's website he has included the video of McCartney's appearance for Ringo's birthday at Radio City Music Hall)

Wally Palmer (the Romantics) did "Talking In Your Sleep" and "What I Like About You." Ringo took the mic and said “I did some talking in my sleep once many years ago and that’s what got me into trouble!” invoking much laughter in the audience.

Mr. Mister's Richard Page performed the band's mid-'80s classics "Kyrie" and "Broken Wings."

Here is the set-list:

"It Don't Come Easy"

"Honey Don't" (Ringo Starr)

"Choose Love" (Ringo Starr)
"Hang On Sloopy" (Rick Derringer)
"Free Ride" (Edgar Winter)
"Talking In Your Sleep" (Wally Palmer)
"I Wanna Be Your Man" (Ringo Starr)
"Dream Weaver" (Gary Wright)
"Kyrie" (Richard Page)
"The Other Side Of Liverpool" (Ringo Starr)
"Yellow Submarine" (Ringo Starr)
"Frankenstein" (Winter)
"Peace Dream" (Ringo Starr)
"Back Off Boogaloo" (Ringo Starr)
"What I Like About You" (Wally Palmer)
"Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo/Eruption" (Rick Derringer)
"Boys" (Ringo Starr)
"Love Is Alive" (Gary Wright)
"Broken Wings" (Richard Page)
"Photograph" (Ringo Starr)
"Act Naturally" (Ringo Starr)

At the end, Ringo said "Now this next song got a really poor reception last night and if you don't like it, we'll just drop it from the tour." After which he launched into the Billy Shears intro and everyone cheered, then going into "With A Little Help From My Friends."

The show ended with a tribute to John Lennon with Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance", as a big peace sign came up on the screen behind the stage. It was a wonderful ending and a great night of fun music. 

There are just three dates left to Ringo’s tour on the west coast:

August 5 - Rancho Mirage, CA - The Show At Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
August 6 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
August 7 - Los Angeles, Greek Theatre