The show at The Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort was held at their site venue "The Harv", which I was told could be stuffed to a capacity of 4000 and some change. An employee at the resort told me that tix sales had been very slow, and that a brief thought of cancellation had been rumored. Sales must have strengthened closer to show date, as the floor seemed to be fairly full, and only the general admission grandstand looking a bit barren. Maybe about half filled.

A line of stageside reserved tables/seats were immediately in front of the normal T'master sold seats (those going for $80.00, with the T'master best priced seat at $60.00) There were no surprises in the song listing, in comparison to the other three shows so far.

As Ringo performed his first two numbers (Photograph/Act Naturally) he told the crowd they were there to have fun in the sun/summer, even though all of this tour was to be done at indoor venues!? Which obviously was a mistaken slip of the tongue as there are to be numerous outdoor venues!

The crowd could be described as being in between outgoingly vocal and a bit polite. There was occasional prompting from various All Starrs, which usually resulted in the crowd responding and jumping to their feet. Ian Hunter got the crowd involved early during "Cleveland Rocks" by substituting local town/city names in Ohio, WV & Pennsylvania in the chorus, which he was plainly reading from a written sheet at the mic.

Clearly Mr. Hunter isn't a baseball Pirates fan as he indicated "Pirates S*ck" during the chorus as well, which got a warm reaction from the crowd?

Sheila E's enthusiastic pounding has apparently rubbed off on Ringo as he even did a mini-solo during her tune "Love Bizarre". Roger Hodgson's Supertramp numbers seem to be, and were for this show, the real showstealers. Ringo came down from the kit and added tambourine during Roger's"Give A Little Bit".

Overall Ringo had a excellent relation with the crowd that evening. Accepting two flower arrangements, a beaded necklace that spelled out R-I-N-G-O, and at one point (prior to "Boogaloo") reading multiple signs from the audience. One fan held up a "sing a song for George" sign, which he either didn't see, or didn't acknowledge.

As on the last tour, yours truly got the chance from a stageside seat to prompt Ringo into using an inflatable yellow sub prior to that song. I did this at the NORVA Club in Norfolk on the last tour, so maybe he remembers me (wishful thinking, but he did use it again)? During "I'm The Greatest" he referred to the fact that a good friend from Liverpool had written this one for him. And during the "..way back home in Liverpool", he referred to the fact that Chester, WVA was right across the river from EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio! There was no intermission, but during "Fanfare For The Common Man" by Lake, it was just he, Howard Jones & Sheila.

All the All Starrs were in fine voice, and the band seemed quite tight, with only three shows so far under their belt, I believe. Sheila gave audience members two drumsticks after her "Glamorous Life"(?) tune(she wore a very nice&tight white jumpsuit.., stitched together VERY securely..., a very nice choice for Ringo's first female All Starr, if I do say so myself, drooling as I make that sexist remark)

The tour merchandise consisted of: drumsticks($30), Poster($10), Key chain($5), Tour button($3), Long sleeve shirt/sweat with printing on front & sleeve($40) and three different tour shirts, all with different front photos of Ringo, and thankfully tour cities on the back, in white/red/black($30 w the black shirt only, also coming in a 2XL size for $32)

Ringo & company must've been in a hurry as they did not leave the stage before returning for the two encores. As for the encore, we all still scratching our heads that he would return back to do "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go" (along with "With A Little Help"). Obviously, "Oct. Garden" & "Don't Pass Me By" were NOT done.., everyone on cue, scratch heads again, as they were advertised?! All in all, a warmly received show, and one that shone brighter than I had expected when I first heard this year's tour lineup. If you have reservations about this grouping.., I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

FRED LARK