Tedeschi Trucks Band has shared a live rendition of “Angel From Montgomery”/”Sugaree”, the band’s go-to John Prine/Grateful Dead cover combo, from the band’s 2017 live album, Live at the Fox Oakland adding to the ever-growing list of tributes to the legendary songwriter who died of COVID-19 last week.
This “Angel From Montgomery”/”Sugaree” combo was originally cut from the live album and accompanying film and has never before been seen or heard. The show was filmed on September 6th, 2016 at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, CA when TTB was closing out a two-night run.
The video opens with Susan Tedeschi immediately translating Prine’s folk wit into her own soulful vocals. She begins the song just herself until the drums drop in and soon enough a piano, bass and the rest of the band creep in. In the grand scheme of John Prine covers, most artists generally fall into two camps: those who try to sound like Prine, and those who try to sound like themselves. This cover is most definitely the latter, as Tedeschi stays true to her own voice while letting Prine’s timeless words serve as the tribute. As Kofi Burbridge comes in on flute, it’s clear that this is a band trying to sound like itself, who just genuinely enjoy the music of John Prine. After a tender Burbridge flute solo, Tedeschi drops back in for the last verse followed by her own guitar solo that slaps a bow to slap a bow on TTB’s take on the Prine before moving into their customary “Sugaree” follow-up
Watch Tedeschi Trucks Band perform “Angel From Montgomery” and “Sugaree” at the Fox Theatre on September 6th, 2016 below:
“Angel From Montgomery” (John Prine) > “Sugaree” (Grateful Dead) – Tedeschi Trucks Band – 9/6/16
[Video: Tedeschi Trucks Band]
As of now, TTB is set to hit the road this summer, beginning on June 26th with a show at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. Given the uncertain future of the live music industry due to COVID-19, however, those dates are likely subject to change. Visit the band’s website for updated information.