Hi Steve, Just wanted to give you a quick report about Ringo in Boston. It seems it's one of those shows where the line up looks ho hum on paper, and though I was never really a fan of 80s music, the show is entertaining, and for the most part everything is top notch.

It was too hot and humid near 90 and the heat index had to be up there...(it was in a "shed", i.e. a semi permanent tent pavilion right on Boston Harbor) and the sea breezes were not making it in under the tent during the show, so it was more like "sweating the oldies" night, literally! Ringo made mention of the heat and humidity several times. Some of the wireless equipment wasn't working correctly "it's the moisture, it's the Boston moisture" he said explaining why they had to pause momentarily for technical reasons. his own wireless hand held mike wasn't working when he first came out for the first song. Later he said stuff like, "I think next time we'll come back in December" and "Is it me or is it hot in here?"

The show is a bit slower paced, I thought, than past years, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have any fire power. I don't know why, but the mix of the lead guitar in this venue always seems to be lacking (happened last tour too) and Colin kept trying to get the techs to punch up the mix... I like Hay's stuff, but i thought they could have made a better choice for a guitarist. Mark Rivera is his usual outstanding self, got a lot of applause for his sax and flute solos.

It's wonderful to have Ringo add in some songs he hasn't done on an All Starr tour before...nice to see him at the piano (and he hams it up) for the start of "Don't Pass Me By." "Here Comes the Sun" by the All Starrs is very touching, and the Boston crowd was very appreciative of this. Likewise, Ringo's "Never Without You" (though the guitar line was lacking). I know I wasn't the only one with misty eyes in the house. Someone handed up a beautifully drawn portrait of George to Ringo at the end of the song and he held it up for all to see.

Ringo also read a card from a fan who was in the audience, up front as it happened, who was turning 16 and dedicated the song to her. She came forward and he kissed her hand.

Ringo wore jeans and a black tee shirt with "R [star icon]" on the front of it for the first half. He had a long sleeve shirt over it but quickly discarded that in the heat. Later, he had a reddish tee on with a black with white polka dots over it. He looks very fit and with the exception of stopping between songs to mop his face in the heat, didn't really seem to be any worse for the wear. he was ad libbing jokes throughout the show as usual, some new jokes, some old jokes... took a show of hands for who had his new CD (quite a few hands up!) and a show of hands who didn't ("Oh, Mr. Big Shot, Mr. I haven't got the album...")

Everyone else except Sheila wore long sleeves. She wisely wore a tank top. Paul Carrack had a hat on, while John Waite had a cool loose shirt on printed with sankrit and it had a pocket over his heart with an om in a sunburst.

Boston has been one of my favorite cities to see a solo Beatle. They have always been the best audience, and Ringo made mention that Boston has always been a good crowd for him.

A very enjoyable night.