Sugar Man – Duo Session
Season 2 of the “Duo Sessions” is here!
This year we had to ask ourselves – Do we continue the “Duo Sessions”?
The initial idea for them came about quite spontaneously in December 2019 when we tried to find a way to release more music in a shorter amount of time and in-between bigger productions and albums.
Our full-studio recordings and original music tend to take quite a long time to get finished (hello, perfectionism), but especially here in the MLT Club we wanted to be able to release more music more often. So we decided to go “back to our roots” and started filming these stripped back duo performances in a little corner of our recording studio!
Your feedback was great, we really enjoyed making them and born was the “Duo Sessions” format! We even released the last 15 songs on an album called “The Duo Sessions” which many of you have at home.
Now, in 2021, it was time to think about new videos. We had no choice than to continue the series – they are just too addicting to make, especially at a time when any other form of “performing” is pretty much impossible 🙂
So, at the start of the year, we decided on the first handful of songs and set up a new “Duo Session corner”. We’ve now already filmed a bunch of this year’s Duo Session videos … Season 2, so to speak – or “Series 2” if you’re British.
We’re kicking it off with a song by Sixto Rodriguez called “Sugar Man” – released on his debut album in 1970 called “Cold Fact”. Albeit dark, we love the song and the entire record and thoroughly enjoyed giving it a two-person-only makeover. We hope you enjoy!
There’s more to come!
Mona & Lisa
I keep listening to this song as it is just such a great version. Mona drives the song with her superb rhythm playing while Lisa’s vocals and her slight accent on some words make this a truly beautiful song. Just when I think they can’t get any better they do.
Thank you for the music.
I’ve been working on this, but I’m beside myself trying to figure out what key you’re playing in. I see a capo on the 7th fret(?) but when I play in A minor it doesn’t fit with Mona’s playing at all. I’ve tried other capo positions too, with regular tuning in A minor but I’m hopelessly lost trying to play along. I just love your version so much, prefer it to others including Sixto’s original.
It’s driving me nuts (and I need no assistance with that haha).
Hi Daryl. I know it’s been 5 months since you posted this but I thought I would reply as I am now also trying to learn to play this song. Maybe you have already figured it out, but in case not here is what I have learned. Yes the capo is on the 7th fret and Mona’s first chord is an Em shape which translates to a Bm chord with the capo, making it the key of Bm. She then moves to an Am shape (Em chord with the capo) and alternates it with a B7 shape (F#7 with capo). This is the I – IV – V progression in the key of Bm. I hope this helps.
Ron
Yeah, took a while but I did figure it out. Thankfully my ears are more accurate than my visual so I missed what you mentioned and just played around until I hit the magic combination. Appreciate the thought though!
I never heard this song, it is a beautiful song, I hope it will be on Duo Sessions two, Mona I like your hat. Merci
This really is very, very good – I prefer it to the original!
I love the Duo Sessions format. It’s really a stripped down video too. Being able to just watch you play and sing with such feeling is a beautiful video all by itself. Oh and this song is awesome. I have never heard it before so it’s an MLT song for me.
I did not know Sixto Rodriquez before I heard this song. I really like this cover so I looked on Deezer for the complete Rodriquez album “Cold Fact”, I think it is great. I also watched the documentary “Searching for Sugar Man”, facinating story. See youtube
https://youtu.be/j9rv1ApCKuU
When will this tune be included on an album?
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!! Minor chords GALORE! I”M IN!
You’re right about the song being dark. Your beautiful performance shows you’re also right about the value of the Dup Sessions format. Being able to hear distinctly each of the instruments and voices makes the whole that much more rewarding. The one thing I miss is Mona on drums. Perhaps a goal for the studio recordings would be to add minimal additional instruments with care not to lose the intimacy and clarity of the Duo Sessions approach.
Never did a guitar, a bass, and two beautiful voices sound better! Just Wow! Your duo sessions are my favorite. Such talent! Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
I remember this from when it was new, your rendition has it beat! A sad subject sang about with sympathy for the subject and the user, thank you. I toured in the 80/the 90s with some great acts and the Mary Jane was always there. The sad state some artists got into, the crew really had the money for much, I can recall some musicians coming on the crew bus in the hope of finding some, but as we only got paid monthly there was almost never anything around. There were tours where if you were seen/caught with a drink never mind substances you were fired from the tour and flown home. As tobacco was my main vice then, plus coffee, I was on the list of crew ready to be sent out as replacement on at least one tour. I moved over to TV film work at about that time.
Stay safe, Steve…
I want, no, I need, the lyrics for this song! And the chords, of course! Far Out! Can’t wait to see it on an album!
Just as The Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young was about a dealer and user. One of his hits. There were a few songs about drugs in the sixties that song writers were writing about that conveyed the sign of the times or maybe that they had seen or done themselves. The song Cocaine for instance.
This was a cover and I love Mona’s rhythm and the bass line. These girls nailed it. Over the years I have played these songs, part of a playlist because it was top 40 songs. This is life, something that has been happening here in the US with Fentanyl on a grand scale. Like Bill Clinton I didn’t inhale. LOL but Mona and Lisa this was a fast moving rhythm that I really liked. Well done ladies.
Interesting. I had never heard of that song before now.
Awesome. Walt Music
Beautifully done! I love it!
You rocked this!!! Awesome rhythm and guitars. ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ premiered at the world class Sundance Film Festival in Utah (where I just happen to live). The festival is another one of my passions. Yes, it is a dark subject matter, but ‘That’s Life’. I will have to say that I’ve hung out with Sweet Mary Jane from time to time. I’m sure a few other folks from the sixties can say the same thing. Mona and Lisa, every time I listen to your music, I became a bigger fan!!!!
The more I listen to this performance — the more I like it. Very well done.
Hey there Lisa playing the bass line did great…I enjoyed that as we don’t usually see you on bass….I am rather surprised at the choice of song…you girls don’t seem to be the “drug” type but that’s what this song is about…the terms Sugar Man and Mary Jane were often used back in the late 60s and into the 70s …Sugar Man being the dealer and Mary Jane was another way of referring to “marijuana”……having never gotten into the drug scene I could be totally wrong about that…but some of my friends would occasionally get involved with it and I would distance myself from them and that activity….still I enjoyed the video and as far as I’m concerned The MonaLisa Twins are a world class act …Love You❤️????
Sixto Rodriguez does not seem to be a drug addict either, but the poet can convey in his work the mood and feelings of other people and situations and experiences that he himself has not personally passed through.
Can not get enough of this. Lisa’s singing and tone really match the song. It is kinda dark, but she sounds so charming. Then again, most addicts speak to their dealers as lovingly as they can.
I am not very familiar with seventies drug slang, so I was searching for some interpretations and found quite a few different ones. I was mainly wondering if silver magic ships referred to airplanes or what? I found an Ausie post that said sugar was sold in silver packets back in the day. So are silver magic ships packets of smack?
I like when lyrics can have several different interpretations. It presents more opportunities for people to connect with a song.
You’re the answer that makes my questions disappear
JP
Wow! Another great duo session!!! I barely remembered the original, so went back and listened to it – I liked yours much better. Great voices and wonderful bass play, up front and clear; it sounded to me like it was meant to be there.
Sometime last year it felt like you took things to another level with the Duo Sessions. I found myself wanting to listen to the same songs every day for a while with almost every song. If this session is a sample of what we can expect this year, it’s going to be a great second set of Duo Sessions.
Awesome cover Mona & Lisa. I love it !!
Great job. Thank you! I appreciate that you tried something a bit different and introduced me to music I have never heard before. I cannot add anything new to the comments about your music performance that has not already been said by others. I would like to comment on the video production.
Excellent video! I really like the new set/background/lighting. It makes the music and your performance the clear focal point. And as always, your outfits go together with the vibe of the music perfectly. Mona’s hat is a great touch. I noticed the new microphone stands. Visually they seem to work better and allow for better video composition (maybe better sound??) It would have been easy to just copy what you did in season 1 but once again you just keep getting better. Thank you for working as hard on your video production as you do on your music.
The film is great, this song is great and so is your version ! Lisa´s bass works very well and the rhythm rally grooves! “Duo Sessions” is my favorite of your albums and I really love them all. I´m really pleased that you started the season 2 and really hope that we also get the album “Duo Sessions 2” in the future !
Cold Fact has long been one of my favourite albums and I think it deserved more success worldwide. I only saw Searching for Sugarman for the first time a few days ago so was delighted to hear the Twins’ outstanding new interpretation of the title track. Rodriguez has such a unique voice but Mona’s and Lisa’s vocals gave the song a fresh sound. The bass sounded great and I reckon the girls could do a grand job on I Wonder.
Dear Mona and Lisa:
We loved this interpretation and hope it entices club members to dig deeper into Rodriguez’s catalogue, short as it is, as well as view the documentary. We visited the record store in Cape Town and talked with the owner about Sixto, and also picked up the his vinyl records there. We subsequently had the pleasure of seeing him in concert in NYC a few years ago and, despite being under the weather, he performed quite well to an adoring audience
Keep up the great work and harmonies. Love these live sessions.
L&T
Thank you Mona & Lisa. Another great stripped down definitive performance! You discarded the drug induced psychedelic trippyness of the original and brought out more of the pain and desperation. As always its the quality of your playing that really kills me.
I saw a documentary about Sixto some time ago. I forget the details but remember being shocked and then really liking the music, Good song and, as always, you all do a great job at it. Mike.
Upload this video to YouTube.The more I watch , the more I like it!Excellent!
Wonderful!
My son-in-law (Oliver’s Dad) tipped me off to Sixto Rodriquez a couple of years back. I watched the movie and was really intrigued. The next time I saw him, I told my son-in-law the whole story… forgetting completely how it had started. DOH! I love the duo sessions. I also loved the Christmas live stream. I think you are really close to having a great format for a regular gig. Live Stream Duo Sessions! Fix a cup of tea, have some scones, spin an album track or two, play a live duo, read some fan mail, show some bloopers… Here’s one thing that I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart. It’s a bit of a complaint I’m afraid. I mean this in the most constructive way possible. After following you for many years, one of the things that I feel like we are losing, is a peek behind the curtains. I’d like to know more about what you are thinking about working on, what’s in the pipeline. I recognize there is a risk of creating an expectation, and then stuff happens, and folks get disappointed… I know that’s bad. But I would encourage you to open up a bit more. For me, having this kind of conversation and connection is a big part of the enduring appeal. I want to enjoy the process, not just the product. Speaking as a fan I would like to think that we all understand plans change, and some things don’t happen as we might dream… I waited patiently for years for the Live Cavern Club album. All good things in all good time… I just want to feel like I get invited back stage just a little bit more. It’s so fun being in The Club.
Charming girls sing a beautiful song so nicely.Just complete harmony!
The dark Mona and Lisa are also very cool. Lisa’s guitar is Paul’s favourite, or is it Hofner?
Very nice.
Wow. Never heard this song before. I’m so glad that the Duo Sessions live on! They really bring out your talents, both on instruments and pitch perfect harmonies. Love this performance. Love the bass line, and Mona always nails the rhythm guitar. Such a good way to start out a cold snowy morning in New York!!
The two of you never disappoint!!!
You are getting better and better, I loved the performance., Although I don’t like this song very much .., but as another fan said “you can sing the phone book” that it will be wonderful., And one more thing, about your look , you are both beautiful ..????♥️
First time hearing this song, I’m going to look up up the album Cold Fact. Thank you for another season of Duo Sessions. The Best Little Corner Of The Internet.
Whoa! This was quite a departure from things you’ve done before, with a little Latin feel to it, and what perfection, it was so captivating! Ladies, you can truly do brilliant justice to any genre of music you do. Absolutely fantastic. Bravo, that was awesome!!!
I saw the movie during the recent Advent Calendar days, and really enjoyed it, what an amazing story. Like the change in atmosphere of the Duo Session corner for this song, and loved your styles. Stunning and beautiful!
I’m so glad you decided to continue with the Duo Sessions. They along with your studio work add another beautiful dimension to your remarkable brilliant repertoire. 🙂
Superb recording ! I vaguely remember this back then. Your rendition of this song is top shelf. Lisa’s bass playing is outa sight. Love the sound of Mona’s Epiphone guitar…and the hat…that really makes it. The harmonies are right on. I have the first Duo Sessions and I really love it. Therefore, I am looking forward to Duo Two in the future. As long as you keep making them, I, for one, will be listening. As always, Peace, Love and Happiness.
I enjoyed this, was not familiar at all with this song, until now….. also love your new setup too, and to see Lisa doing the bass take, whoa, all around kudos for/on all of it, Welcome indeed to Duo Sessions, Season 2????????❤
This is great. Full circle tonight. I did watch “Finding Sugarman” when you recommended it. The movie is awesome. I loved it and highly recommend it. I think I watched it on Amazon. No clues, as the girls said,”Just watch it.”
These Duo Sessions are your substitute for live performing? That’s a big win for us. Front row seats in my Living Room. It sounds like you are longing to be on stage. That is perfect because we all can’t wait to go to see you.
Your take on this song is just right. Your perfectionism really pays off. Has Lisa been hogging the bass lately? She’s really got it going on here. I love hearing Lisa and Mona singing lead vocals, but when that MonaLisa voice comes through the harmonies, it is magic.
.Mona’s really rockin that hat. It really accents the vest. I swear Lisa’s hair will reach the ground soon. The new “set’ is very kool. Are those some of Mona’s plants behind her amp?
I am listening to this while I write, and it’s getting a little hypnotic. This leads me to think this could be another new song to add to my skiing playlist. Must be Mona’s solid rhythm and the catchy lyrics.
Sounds like we have a good year in front of us with all the activity going on here. Three cheers for The MonaLisa Twins
Hip Hip Hooray!
JP
Fantastic! First time I’ve heard the song. Thanks girls!
Has Papa Rudi retired ?… I mean it’s usually him doing the bass line in the videos…aahhh so in the Duo format it’s Lisa playing bass and a good job at it ….I can’t say I’ve ever heard of Sixto Rodriguez or this Sugar Man song…but I enjoyed watching the video…and Mona you seem to have quite a collection of hats ????❤️????
Two words- Absolutely AMAZING!!! 🙂
I think Mona and Lisa have done a wonderful job on this song. Personally, I would have liked to hear more presence on Lisa’s excellent bass part. It was very hard for me to hear. Your voices just keep getting better and better and the harmonies are superb. <3
WOW!
I so enjoy your Duo videos. Back in the early ‘70s there were small venues that held weekly mostly acoustic concerts by talented local singer songwriters. They drew crowds of regulars who came for the music and sense of community. I suppose that the closest modern equivalent is the house concert. You manage to fill your Duo videos with a similar intimacy and innovation despite their being on film and covers of other artists.
This brings to mind a “home business” envisioned and created by Levon Helm, the late former drummer/singer from The Band. In Woodstock, NY, that other infamous cradle of 60s music, he built a beautiful, acoustically designed barn. It contains a recording studio, his home, business office and intimate concert venue for weekly performances by himself and others that he called “Midnight Rambles”. People came from all over the world to attend. In some ways similar to what you are doing, I’m thinking you might be interested in knowing about it.
Wow!!! Seriously, Lisa you really just sent me over the Moon! Awesome bass. Both of you killed it. I just loved your performance of Rodriguez’s “Sugar Man.” I like your version better than his. You never cease to, not just amaze me, but totally blow me away. Thank you for taking me back in time again and again to escape the current realities of what is. Love you all so much. Stay Groovy and keep Rocking!
Great find! I never heard of this guy. Very nice rendition.
Regarding that perfectionism business, let me quote Neil Young …
“Live music is better, bumper stickers should be issued.
Hadn’t heard this in a long time, but this was worth the wait.. I love the interpretation and simplicity of your arrangement. If this is any indication, the second season of Duo Sessions should be as FABulous as the first!
Like the previous review, I had not heard this before, but really enjoyed this performance with real ‘soul’: I will certainly play a few more times and look forward to the ‘more to come’ this is beautiful music.
One word….WOW. I Never heard this song before and just heard the original and now your version. What a beautiful Job you both done on this song, from the vocals which is perfect to the guitar , great job Mona to the wonderful job on Bass Lisa….again wow you both are the best and your music is worth waiting for. Thank you so much
OMG this is beyond outstanding. This is mystifying, hauntingly beautiful, powerful, sobering, ethereal. You have created a bittersweet musical texture that ebbs and flows effortlessly and is unceasing in its sincerity and beauty. You are two remarkable musical artists. What you can achieve together with so little else is just astonishing. You keep giving more and more. Thank you for this gem!
Wow! I have never heard this song before. You certainly made it sound like it was an original composition. Which you do with all your songs.????
I loved the nightclub setting, and your clothes made it Elegant ????
Thanks so much for choosing this song and for bringing it to life only the way the MonaLisa Twins can.
Rick Ross.
Very interesting choice for another amazing Duo session. I was wondering when you would step outside the norm for yourselves. Now it makes me wonder where the future will lead but Im sure it will be an epic journey no matter what you choose next!! Very very well done girls!!!
Loved it! I never heard it before but what a production! Mona was on fire (and love the hat too!) and Lisa doing her John Entwistle lead bass thing was incredible! Is Rudi out of one of his jobs now? Keep the duo sessions coming!
An amazing tune – never heard the original but love your rendition and the real clever use of tempo and key changes – another MLT super special extraordinary performance – Thank You for you time and dedication.
Never heard this song – but I’ve loved every song my favorites have done, and this is no exception.
The minor chords are different but the harmonies especially in the happier sounding refrain make the song. Both absolutely lovely and outstanding playing – as always.
Well on the way to a Duo Sessions 2 album – can’t wait! More Duo Sessions the better!
Thanks for this one and for being so awesomely groovy
Fabulous cover! One of my favourite songs, great to hear it being given the Twin Treatment! ????
Great! I really enjoyed this cover. Please continue the Duo Sessions, we love them. Mona, your hair looks very cool long. Cheers!
WOW! Loved it! You guys just keep getting better and better. You guys look great! Nice hat Mona!
There’s nothing better to wake up to in the sound of your beautiful voices. And that sounded great thank you????
two thumbs up. Would give more if I had them.
Wow!! A Blast from the past. Nice version of this song. Great rhythm guitar by Mona and awesome singer by Lisa. Girls you did a great take of this song. I enjoyed it very much. Yes please continue duo sessions.
Excellent, and considering it’s a song I have not heard for so long, – it’s only the guitar riff and rhythm that seems familiar! I’m more impressed with the fact that it’s not a song I would have thought you would cover, it isn’t MLT but yet you have made it so.
Better still, surely there’s the possibility of “The Duo Sessions 2” in the future as well as your next original album. That’s two things to await with anticipation. These, and the material you have released in the last year also proves, if proof is needed, that doing it the MLT way, works. I’ve only followed you for a year or so but constantly you are releasing new material and the quality continues to improve. So many artists are complaining about how the current pandemic is affecting their income, myself included, yet you have just buckled down and carried on. Not only do we get to enjoy your music, you are inspirational to any musicians starting out on their own musical careers, that having belief in yourself and the music you produce, the way you release and market it, and staying true to your values, can make you successful regardless of what is happening.
And now I will get off my soapbox.
Brilliant job ladies.
Well I haven’t of this song but I love it well done your harmonies are as usual spot on
AWESOME COVER!!!! Haven’t heard this song in a long time.Can’t wait to see/hear more Duo Sessions.Also looking forward to adding another Duo Sessions CD to my collection.You both ROCK!!!
Can’t wait to show this and Nowhere Man to friends(gotta spread the MLT “Groove” Far and Wide}
As Always,Love to all at Team MLT
Loved this performance!
Great find!
I never heard of this guy!
Very nice rendition.
About that perfectionism buiness, let me quote Neil Young…
“Live music (warts & all) is better – bumper stickers should be issued.