What was to be an animated feature project was ultimately never realized or issued. The only documentation of that project was a vinyl album of songs that were to be featured in the animated feature. There was also a book written by UK actor Donald Pleasance that was issued around the time of the vinyl album release.
According to Wikipedia, an animated television version of the story was planned for airing on ITV in the UK, but it was delayed due to a strike and ultimately shelved. It involved the story of a mouse emigrating from Liverpool that travels to New York and dealt with his exploits in the States.
This album was issued in the UK but not in the United States. The release of the album served to fulfill Ringo’s contractual obligations to Polydor Records! It was released in 1977.
What I find fascinating about these recordings are several of the Ringo interpretations of the songs written for the soundtrack. Ringo is great in his performance of Scouse the Mouse and his interpretations of many of the songs featuring him as the lead vocalist. Living in a Pet Shop and Boat Ride are very catchy tunes. Most of the songs performed on the album were composed by Roger Brown. The song, A Mouse Like Me was later to be used by Ringo on his album Bad Boy and to be retitled as A Man Like Me. The song was also to close out Ringo’s television special in the States in the 70s entitled Ringo which was loosely based on the Prince and the Pauper tale.
I found the Ringo material to be very entertaining on this LP, and I am very happy and fortunate to have been able to secure a copy for my collection.
Back cover of the LP
SIDE 1 OF THE LP:
SIDE 2 OF THE LP:
Some copies of the LP featured a coloring and drawing contest that could win a copy of the Scouse the Mouse book with a story by noted actor, Donald Pleasance:
THE TRACK LIST:
Ringo Starr, Adam Faith, Donald Pleasence, Barbara Dickson – Scouse The Mouse
Polydor -Vinyl UK
Released: Dec. 09, 1977
Tracklist
Side 1
Position Artists Title/Credits Duration
Ringo Starr: Living In A Pet Shop
Written-By – Roger Brown
Barbara Dickson: Sing A Song For The Tragapan
Written-By – Donald Pleasence, Roger Brown
Ringo Starr: Scouse’s Dream
Written-By – Roger Brown
Ben Chatterly: Snow Up Your Nose For Christmas
Written-By – Donald Pleasence, Meira Pleasence
Ringo Starr: Running Free
Written-By – Roger Brown
Adam Faith: America
Written-By – Roger Brown
Lucy Pleasence: Scousey
Written-By – Roger Brown
Side 2
Ringo Starr: Boat Ride
Arranged By [Flute] – Pete Zorn
Written-By – Roger Brownn
Ringo Starr: Scouse The Mouse
Arranged By [Brass] – Pete Zorn
Written-By – Roger Brown
Barbara Dickson: Passenger Pigeon
Written-By – Donald Pleasence, Roger Brown
Polly Pleasence With Ringo Starr: I Know A Place
Written-By – Donald Pleasence, Roger Brown, Ruan O’Lochlainn
Jim Parker: Caterwaul
Written-By – Jim Parker
Ringo Starr: S.O.S.
Written-By – Roger Brown
Rick Jones: Ask Louey
Written-By – Donald Pleasence, Roger Brown
Ringo Starr: A Mouse Like Me
Written-By – Ruan O’Lochlainn
YOUTUBE LINKS TO THE SONGS THAT RINGO PERFORMED ON THE SCOUSE THE MOUSE LP:
Ringo Starr – Living in a Pet Shop
Ringo Starr – Scouse the Mouse
Polly Pleasence – I Know a Place (with Ringo Starr)
The recording of the song from the Ringo Starr Bad Boy LP: (this one from the human vantage point)
Ringo closes out his TV special with the ballad:
THE SCOUSE THE MOUSE BOOK:
The Scouse the Mouse book cover written by famed actor Donald Pleasance which I recently acquired a copy of. Pictures by Gerald Potterton:
A RINGO STARR/ BOB DYLAN SONG ON AN UNISSUED RINGO ALBUM:
News of the unissued Ringo Starr album that involved a lawsuit:
Found a couple of websites that discussed a Ringo Starr Chips Moman album that Ringo had recorded in the 80s. Ringo claimed it was a collection of subpar recordings due to alcohol and drug consumption and did not want it issued/ released. The producer Chips Moman wanted to issue it to help reclaim the high studio costs in session time that was incurred in making the album. The court granted Ringo’s wish that it was not to be issued but determined that Ringo needed to pay a determined amount for the recording session time spent recording the tracks. Among the tracks that were reportedly recorded at the sessions was a Ringo Starr cover of the Billy Swan song, I Can Help and a song that Ringo Starr sang with Bob Dylan!
Found a couple of internet sites to substantiate these claims!
RINGO STARR NOW MUST PAY TO KEEP ALCOHOL-TAINTED ALBUM FROM PUBLIC – Deseret News
The “lost” collaboration between Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr
Found the Scouse the Mouse LP to be one of those special treasures of recordings that are not well-known but still a part of the recording legacy of one of the world’s best drummers!
I love this kind of stuff because it is not widely circulated but it has musical merit and quality and it is worthy and entertaining. It is my contention that it deserved a better fate with a much-wider circulation in the marketplace,
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
OUR FEATURED BOOK – CUNARD YANKS
Cunard Yanks
CUNARD YANKS – AND HOW THE MERSEY GOT ITS BEAT
A fascinating prequel to “Blame It On the Beatles …. and Bill Shankly”
It is 1954. Steve and Dave are looking for adventure. Their hometown of Liverpool is scarred by war. New York is the future and it will soon be the richest city in the world. They need to see it and feel the excitement. They need to be there. They need to become Cunard Yanks.
