The Grateful Dead‘s American Beauty turned 50 this week, sparking a wave of tributes from musicians around the world. Eric Krasno and Otis McDonald released a tribute of their own on Monday, sharing a socially-distant cover of “Sugar Magnolia”.
Related: Yonder Mountain String Band Covers “Candyman” For ‘American Beauty’ Anniversary [Watch]
Kraz and McDonald recorded their cover of the Robert Hunter/Bob Weir classic from separate locations, as coronavirus guidelines have increased in recent weeks amid rising case numbers. The multi-instrumentalists split duties fairly equally, with Krasno playing the bass and guitar while McDonald handled percussion and organ. Furthermore, both laid down several vocal tracks, creating a full and robust sound that stayed true to the original.
Following a quick count-in from Kraz, the duo started into the song much like the Grateful Dead 50 years ago: a layer of drums, organ, rhythm guitar, and bass that highlighted the lead guitar’s melody. As they moved into the song’s titular opening line, Kraz provided the soothing lead vocals with excellent harmonization from McDonald. They traded vocal roles by the time the chorus kicked in, with McDonald leading the memorable lines, “She’s got everything delightful/She’s got everything I need.”
Watch Krasno and McDonald cover the Dead’s “Sugar Magnolia” below and head to Krasno’s YouTube page for more quarantine collaborations.
Eric Krasno & Otis McDonald – “Sugar Magnolia” (Grateful Dead)
[Video: Eric Krasno]