In honor of the birthday of the great psych-funk guitarist Eddie Hazel, he of Funkadelic fame, here's a few assorted renditions of his signature emo-metal tune. It's astounding how many versions there are. While they are all pretty faithful, the range of different types of artists covering it is amazing. As such, I have included everyone from blues icon Buddy Guy to new age piano, famous rock stars to underground psych bands, alt-country to P-Funk related projects. You can decide for yourself which ones are worthy.
This one, from the often boring French band AIR, possibly my fave cover of "Maggot Brain":
From Canadian violinist Lili Haydn:
Alt-country:
A nice one from UK psych band Sendelica:
Here's a version by Bill Laswell's P-Funk related band Praxis, featuring Bernie Worrell and Buckethead and again the violinist Lili Haydn:
Buddy Guy & Santana:
'90s freak underground/psych faves Bardo Pond:
Here's an new agey version by Ukrainian pianist Viktoriya "Vika" Yermolyeva:
Psychic TV:
Red Hot Chili Pepper's guitarist John Frusciante:
Here's a poetic one from Nico Vega:
Here's Stephen Perkins's band Banyan, with Nels Cline, Mike Watt and others:
J Mascis and company:
Here's a smooth and clean jazzy version by the Cincinnati-based Chuck Land Band. It's debatable if they all actually fully grasp the spirit of Eddie here but it's a different style version nonetheless:
Mike Watt:
Here's the ONLY time you will ever see me post a song by Pearl Jam:
Ween:
Teenage guitar prodigy from Ohio, Michael Weber:
Here's a version by P-Funk's later guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight:
Jamband favorites Govt. Mule:
TWISTED features left-field cover versions of popular songs.