Today’s second entry in The 2025 PopCult Gift Guide is, as has been the case all week long, the perfect gift for the Beatles fan on your holiday shopping list, and it’s also great for the fan of one Ringo Starr, as well as fans of early 1970s rock and pop. Plus it’s really four (make that two) gift suggestions.

I mean, it’s been over two years since I got to see Ringo perform in my hometown, and I’m still buzzed about it. These are vinyl reissues of Ringo’s first four albums on colored vinyl, complete with faithful reproductions of the original packaging. And they are exclusive to Ringo’s online store. Each of the LPs sell for $29.99, plus shipping.

Fans can enjoy brand new limited-edition pressings of Sentimental Journey on Buttermilk Yellow color vinyl, Beaucoups of Blues on Baby Blue color vinyl, RINGO on Molten Lava color vinyl, and Goodnight Vienna on Psychedelic Waves custom color vinyl.

The PR quote says, “For decades, Ringo has shaped music and inspired audiences worldwide, revered for his artistry and for his mission to spread peace and love around the world. We are honored to be entrusted with preserving his body of work, from his early work to his solo albums throughout the years. These reissues highlight his depth, his creativity and his lasting cultural impact.”

Ringo introduced himself as a solo artist with Sentimental Journey, which originally arrived on March 27, 1970. During an exchange with producer George Martin, the artist set the tone for the record when he famously proposed, “Why don’t we take a sentimental journey?” As such, he recorded 12 covers of staples from the American songbook, tipping his hat to the songs that shaped him during his formative years. It showed the world another side of the iconic performer for the first time.

A bonus is that each tune boasts an arrangement by a different person, with George Martin, Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, Klaus Voorman, Maurice Gibb, film composer Elmer Bernstein and Ringo’s future producer, Richard Perry, among others.

You can order Sentimental Journey HERE. 

Sadly, Sentimental Journey sold out after I wrote this. 

Ringo tracked the follow-up Beaucoups Of Blues at Music City Recorders in Nashville, TN alongside producer Peter Drake. Released on September 25, 1970, the 12-song body of work saw him embrace his passion for country and folk, delivering a benchmark solo offering in the process.

This time Ringo put himself in the hands of Drake and a team of Nashville songwriters and session men, and the album is overlooked for it’s key place in the evolution of Americana, after the Country Rock breakthroughs of The Band and The Byrds. Notable contributors to the album included D.J. Fontana, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Reed, Scotty Moore, The Jordanaires and Jeannie Kendall. The entire album was recorded in three days, and there are still unreleased tracks from those sessions.

You can order Beaucoups Of Blues HERE.

Thhe biggest deal of the four reissues is his namesake album, RINGO. This was Ringo’s first time recording a solo rock album, and it was an all-star affair.

Throughout its creative process, he teamed up with producer Richard Perry and notably collaborated with his Beatles bandmates John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison as well as The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, and Rick Danko and Marc Bolan of T-Rex, among others. After dropping on November 2, 1973, it reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and went RIAA Platinum. It houses classics such as “Photograph,” “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful And You’re Mine),” the Lennon-penned “I’m The Greatest,” and “Oh, My My.” The reissue boasts the original 24-page booklet, illustraed by Klaus Voorman, in a gatefold jacket.

This is an album that belongs in ever Beatles fan’s collection. All four Beatles appear. Three of them on one track (augmented by Voormann and Billy Preston). We also get most of The Band backing up Ringo on a George Harrison composition, and Ringo covering an early Randy Newman tune. Plus the cover and “I’m The Greatest” are sly sequels to Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

You can order RINGO HERE.

Finally, we have Ringo’s follow-up, Goodnight Vienna, originally released on November 15, 1974. This time around, he worked with everyone from Lennon and Sir Elton John to Dr. John, Billy Preston, Robbie Robertson, and Harry Nilsson. Cutting the record at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, he reteamed with Perry for production, and the album yielded “No-No Song,” “Only You (And You Alone),” and “Occapella.” Not to mention, Goodnight Vienna saw him return to the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, and it reached RIAA Gold status.

This was Ringo’s last studio album for Apple Records, and he went out with a bang. You can order it HERE.

And Goodnight Vienna has also gone goodnight. Looks like I should’ve recommended these last week. 

These re-releases help new fans see Ringo’s contributions in a new light. Sentimental Journey was the first time a major rock performer tackled the Great American Songbook, and it pre-dates Willie Nelson’s Stardust by five years. Beaucoups Of Blues is early Americana at its finest. RINGO is just a masterpiece with great songwriting and production and loads of guest stars. Goodnight Vienna repeats that formula with chart-topping success.

You can’t go wrong with any, or all, of these cool re-releases.

Act fast. There are only two of them left!