A “one of one” edition of Ringo Starr’s It Don’t Come Easy—issued on a unique acetate disc that marks an important advance to analogue playback technology, positioning of musical art in the fine art world.
In 2025, Starr entered the studio to re-record the song for his friend, Joseph Henry ‘T Bone’ Burnett III, the Grammy and Oscar winning composer, musician and producer. Unlike Starr’s 1971 release which has been played and heard countless millions of times throughout the decades, only a single copy of this new recording of ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ will be offered on a groundbreaking, new audio medium that combines the best of the past and the present: the Ionic Original. This new format embodies the depth and resonance of an analogue vinyl record while dramatically improving upon its sonic quality, playability and durability.
The patented technology behind the Ionic Original builds upon advances in nanotechnology and material sciences employing proprietary ion assisted deposition, and other advances in materials science to generate a protective sapphire and quartz gradient coating upon a traditional acetate substrate specifically designed for the superior reproduction and preservation of analog sound. This new hybrid technology yields the ‘holy grail’ for recording artists and audiophiles: a single format that can offer superior sound reproduction, foreign particle resistance, durability, excellent signal-to-noise ratio, longevity, portability, and compatibility with existing playback equipment.
In Burnett’s own estimation, ‘an Ionic Original is the pinnacle of recorded sound. It is archival quality. It is future proof. It is one of one. Not only is an Ionic Original the equivalent of a painting, it is a painting. It is lacquer painted onto an aluminum disc, with a spiral etched into it by music. This painting, however, has the additional quality of containing that music, which can be heard by putting a stylus into the spiral and spinning it.’ The first ever Ionic Original recording of Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin in the Wind’ was sold at Christie’s, London, 7 July 2022 for £1,482,000.
The present recording of ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ presented on the Ionic Original was recorded in 2025 in Los Angeles and Nashville, produced by T Bone Burnett. ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ was written by Richard Starkey. For this recording, Ringo Starr was joined by Dennis Crouch on String Bass, David Mansfield on Six String Bass and Acoustic Guitar, Colin Linden on Dobro, Paul Franklin on Steel Guitar and Rory Hoffman on Cryptoclavier. Harmony Vocals were provided by Sarah Jarosz and Orchestration was by Patrick Warren. It was recorded by Michael Piersante and Michelle Freetly at East Iris Studios. Additional Recording at East Iris Studios and Sound Emporium Studios by Mike Stankiewicz assisted by Michelle Freetly and Joanna Finley. It was mixed at Studio Z at The Village by Michael Piersante assisted by Eddie Roberts. The production coordinator was Ivy Skoff.
Sculpted for NeoFidelity’s Ionic Original discs, the bespoke American walnut case holds the one-of-one audio acetate. The lid is milled into its own three-dimensional articulation of the song’s audio wavelength; inside, an aircraft-grade aluminum cradle and fabric bumpers suspend and protect the disc. A recessed metal French cleat on the back lets the piece hang securely and flush on the wall. A work of art to house a work of art.