Sugar 'N Spikes

Originally recorded by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band on the LP "Trout Mask Replica."

Though I've wanted to do so for decades, this is the first time I've been able to complete a song from Beefheart's classic and very difficult LP. I play and sing everything. This track was not traditionally mastered, in order to preserve the raw feel of the instruments. It has been uploaded directly from the multitrack session.

This release is an example of my personal theory on cover versions. Though many artists think “note perfect” covers are pointless, I find them fascinating since that version will never align 100% with the original, because you will always be YOU. I tried my best to follow Beefheart’s track, but there’s places where I had to approximate chords, alter the timing or add additional layers of sound. Though the arrangement is close, I decided to add judicious strings and piano, aside from a few octave guitar sweeteners and (obviously) a different vocal performance.