Loren Daniels gets the album off to a hopping start with a fun rendition of “Drive My Car,” a song from Rubber Soul. This track features some really nice work on keys, particularly during that instrumental section in the middle. In fact, for me it is that section that makes this version worth checking out. That’s when things are really moving. There is also a cool bass lead. That’s followed by the album’s title track, “Ticket To Ride.” This rendition has an unusual flow, with things slowed down and stretched out a bit, giving it a bit of a dreamy atmosphere at first. He then changes things up on the “I don’t know why she’s riding so high” section, mainly by layering the vocals the way he does, providing his own backing vocals. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard this song approached in quite this way before. This track helps us take a fresh look at a song that most of us know by heart. I love the percussion here, which gets more exciting as the track progresses.
“I’m Only Sleeping” is one of this album’s most interesting song selections, and Loren Daniels certainly puts his own spin on it. There is a strong, steady beat, Loren Daniels’ vocals sounding smooth over it. Then approximately halfway through, he delivers some groovy work on keys. This song is from Revolver, one of my favorite Beatles records. Then from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Loren Daniels chooses “With A Little Help From My Friends.” This version begins with a rather somber-sounding introduction on piano. Some of the vocal phrasing seems to take inspiration from the Joe Cocker version. What I love most about this rendition is how the piano lead in the middle becomes sprightly. This rendition lifts us up, just as the friends do. I think we’re all going to get by with a little help from music like this. That’s what it’s all about these days, isn’t it? Loren Daniels then returns to Revolver for “For No One,” slowing this song down quite a bit, which works well with the song’s subject, the end of a relationship. This is one of Paul McCartney’s best compositions, and Loren Daniels digs into it, especially vocally, and delivers a good rendition. And I love that bass lead.
“Eight Days A Week” has an unusual and exciting opening, vocals imitating percussion, soon joined by the actual drums. It’s a cool start, and the rhythm remains a key component throughout the track. And his delivery of “Hold me, love me” contains a sense of longing, a need, which draws us in further. Again, Loren Daniels gives us a fresh perspective on a song we’ve all heard dozens of times. As the track draws to its close, he returns to the vocal percussion. Things then get seriously cool with Loren Daniel’s take on “Come Together,” a song from Abbey Road. This version begins with just bass and drums, setting a delicious groove. There is something wonderfully loose about the way he delivers this song, fitting with the line “One thing I can tell you is you got to be free.” I really like that lead on keys, yet it is the bass that is the heart of this one, keeping the thing pulsing and grooving. At the end, Loren Daniels adds these lines: “We got to come together/We got to make this better/We don’t have forever/It’s either now or never/We got to come together.” Ah yes, but will it happen? I am doubtful.
This version of “Blackbird” has a lively introduction. Then when the vocals come in, the track leans closer to what we might expect, yet its rhythm remains quite different from other approaches to this song. This track includes some exciting work on piano in the middle. That’s followed by “I’ll Follow The Sun,” which here has a bossa nova vibe, with some unusual vocal work. This track features some wonderful work on flugelhorn. The album then concludes with “You Can’t Do That.” And again, Loren Daniels puts his own spin on it, giving it some swing. This track features a cool, energetic vocal performance, but where things get especially good is that instrumental section. That section includes a lot of great stuff on keys, as well a good lead on bass. This song has a big finish.
CD Track List
- Drive My Car
- Ticket To Ride
- I’m Only Sleeping
- With A Little Help From My Friends
- For No One
- Eight Days A Week
- Come Together
- Blackbird
- I’ll Follow The Sun
- You Can’t Do That
Ticket To Ride was released on October 1, 2022.
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