Get Ready

Sometimes a cover version can cruelly expose the limitations of a singer who sounds at home singing his own material, but lost at sea when stretched by mimicking someone else's style. Not so in this case, the enthusiasm, bubbliness, choppy guitar and irresistible backing vocals carry Ash's version of Get Ready along on the crest of an exuberant wave. Or maybe, as in the case of most cover versions, you like best the version you know best, which is why I have a soft and blind spot for this song.

Originally a single from the Temptations, produced and written by Smokey Robinson. William Robinson to his mother, hence the songwriting credit on the record label shown above.

The Ash version is buried away on the 1996 Goldfinger single as track four on the CD single only, which is where I know it from. It has since been made available on the extended edition of the debut full-length album 1977.

Compare and contrast the Ash version with other covers and the original.

Ash, 1977, Warner 1996
Rare Earth, Get Ready, Motown 1969
Ella Fitzgerald, Ella, Reprise 1969
The Supremes, Supremes A Go-Go, Motown 1966
The Temptations, Gettin' Ready, Motown 1966

Spotify links for all below the line...