Classic Covers: Ticket to Ride
Johnny Keating / The Keating Sound
Ticket to Ride
Once upon a time I was disdainful of cover versions. Then it suddenly hit me in my late teens that as a growing fan of jazz, folk and easy listening, this was a pretty stupid approach to take. So to kick off an occasional series on cover versions, I’d like to introduce one of the songs that lead to my change of heart - ‘Ticket to Ride’ by Johnny Keating from the album Keating… Straight Ahead.
This record is one of my Dads. Not one of the ones, mind you, which I wote about here that he was desparate to disassociate himself from. No, this one is one of his treasures that he won’t let me near, thereby forcing me to track down a copy for myself. But finally after a long search I’ve got my very own copy this week and, boy ‘Ticket to Ride’ sounds as good as ever.
To get straight to the point, Johnny Keating’s version kicks arse. It makes the Beatle’s original seem mild mannered and quite frankly, lacking in ooomph. The brass practically leaps out and grabs you, and the whole thing just swings. And that’s just ‘Ticket to Ride’ - the rest of the album contains stonking versions of classics like ’Wives and Lovers’, ‘On Broadway’ and ‘Spanish Harlem’.
Rather than continue to wax lyrical myself, I think that the liner notes say it all:
‘For raw power, no other band blowing can match the wallop and kick of thirteen brass, a drummer and two percussionists; for softness and sheer lyrical touch, there isn’t much around glowing with as much warmth as Keating’s spread of four french horns, six woodwind, guitars and harp…. Suitable for concentrated listening, dancing or for a happy background mood at a lively party, this LP should spend most of its time on your turntable.”
Indeed.
‘Ticket to Ride’ from Keating… Straight Ahead, Decca (Phase 4), 1965
Tags: classic covers
May 16th, 2008 at 11:32 am
That is FAB - I want to strutting up and down The Strand with that as the soundtrack tipping my tifter to passing swells.
And if I had a deck, this album would spend most of its time on my turntable.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I’m pleased that you like it Mr Mondo. I was beginning to doubt myself when I read the review on http://www.vinylvulture.co.uk/pages/phase_4.htm
where the LP is described ‘the usual mid-60’s parping’…
I also have to admit to being a bit suprised that you don’t have a turntable - what have you done with your old records?!
May 16th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
My turntable went wobbly a few years back - I ripped the best then lofted the lot. God - I want all those albums (especially the moog one), and the covers in frames.
May 16th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I couldn’t cope without my records, I love the feel and the sound of vinyl.
Glad you like the moog - I’ve got some great covers in my moog collection…