To be fair it's not a label he's trying to get away from – and why would you? With such classics as 'With a Little Help from my Friends,' 'Let it Be,' and of course, 'Yellow Submarine,' The Beatles are one of the greatest and most innovative rock bands to have ever originated from the UK.

But Ringo Starr – real name Richard Starkey – makes it obvious with the opening, self-titled, track on new album, 'Liverpool 8' that he embraces his years with the Beatles with open arms.

Using the track as a song styled auto-biography, it's not until he begins to sing of his days with 'George and Paul, and my friend John' that Ringo's slow melancholy kicks up a notch to infuse his voice with real enthusiasm, and while it may be a little saccharine ('Destiny was calling' is just one of the sample lyrics), it's actually rather nice to know that the boys enjoyed the world domination they achieved with an almost naïve wonder.

To date Ringo has released 23 solo records, and continues to tour regularly with his All Starr Band. Ringo's music, as a solo artist and as a Beatle, is permeated with his personality – his warmth and humor, his exceptional musicianship – have given us songs we all know and love: Don't Pass Me By; Octopus' Garden; Photograph; It Don't Come Easy; Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go; La De Da; Memphis in Your Mind; Never Without You.

And certainly fans won't be disappointed, but anyone new to Ringo should be prepared – while the musician has talent – there is a reason he is still best known for a band that dissipated nearly 40 years ago.

For the full review see next week's Gazette out on Thursday, January 24.