Ringo Starr

This album was intended for release in April 1981 under the title "Can't Fight Lightning", but Ringo had a dispute with C.B.S. (who distributed Portrait records in the U.S.) and left the label. There was then a delay while Ringo negotiated with new distributors, until he signed with R.C.A. The former title track was dropped, and the album was re-christened "Stop And Smell The Roses".

Recording Sessions

11th - 21st July 1980 at the Super Bear Studios in Bear-Les-Alpes, France (2,700 feet up a mountain !).

4th - End of September 1980 at the Cherokee Studios in L.A. (23rd September - Ronnie Wood records "Dead Giveaway" with Ringo).

19th-25th November 1980 at George's Friars Park Studios (F.P.S.H.O.T).

1st-5th December 1980 at the Compass Point Studios in L.A. with Harry Nilsson (4th December Ringo records the new "Back Off Boogaloo" vocals).

20th January until 12th February 1981, the final sessions are back at Cherokee Studios.

And on 13th February 1981 the final mixes are prepared at Compass Point.

Out of the fifteen tracks recorded, ten are selected for the final running order.

The five unreleased tracks recorded during the sessions being :

"Can't Fight Lightning" (written by Ringo for Barabara, when they were almost hit by lightning !)

"Brandy" (recorded 25th September with Ronnie Wood)

"I Don't Believe You" (recorded 6th November 1980 with Ronnie Wood).

"Life Begins At 40" (written for Ringo by John), and

"Wake Up" (written by Ringo).

"Dead Giveaway" was almost a minute longer before editimg, and the full version, including a count-in by Ronnie Wood can be heard on the bootleg Rizz Off !.

The sessions above basically have five different producers, with each producer having his own set of musicians. Therefore over twenty-five musicians and almost as many backing vocalists can be split into five different units, as you will see in the track details below.

The album cover is again designed by John Kosh, with photography by Aaron Rapoport.

Finally, during a visit to New York on 26th November 1980 and with Paul and George already having made their contributions to this release, Ringo met John, and John agreed to appear on this album.

A date was set for 14th January 1981.