Video Premiere: California Honeydrops “Let’s Go Get Stoned”

Following tours of both the U.S. and Australia in support of their new LP A River’s Invitation, The California Honeydrops will hit the road with Bonnie Raitt in 2016, opening for her on her extensive “Dig In Deep Tour.” HIGH TIMES is proud to present an exclusive premiere of the Honeydrops' cover of Ray Charles' "Let's Go Get Stoned," featuring guest Grace Love on vocals with lead vocalist and trumpet player Lech Wierzynski. 

Here’s what Wierzynski has to say about the track:

"Grace and I first met in Seattle on Halloween when she came by to sing some songs with the Honeydrops. I asked her who her favorite singer was, and she said Ray Charles without hesitation. I’m a Ray Charles nut myself, so I said cool and we came up with a bunch of tunes to do right there on the spot. We had so much fun on stage that night. Next time we sang together was in LA. We were packing up after the show, someone started with 'Let’s Go Get Stoned' and we started singing in the parking lot. We said, ‘Hey that’s a good idea—let's roll one up and get some late night food.’ A few months later Grace and Jimmy came down and we recorded it live to video at the Strange Manor in Richmond, CA.

“Later on we did it live at the Fillmore for our CD release with Grace and Jimmy and it was a big hit with the crowd. People always pass us joints when we sing it onstage. It’s a funny song the way it’s so churchy. It's almost like a hymn about a getting high. It’s really just about taking a load off after a rough day and chillin’ out with your friends, something everyone can relate to. I love singing it for big crowds that are getting too rowdy and chatty. People love to sing along to that one even if it’s their first time hearing it. I always tell them, 'Now sing it soft and sweet like you’re really really stoned.' Whether they’re smoking or not, the tune gets everybody into that mellow peaceful place just singing together and feeling good."

The California Honeydrops

Lech Wierzynski – lead vocal/trumpet
Ben Malament – drums
Johnny Bones – saxophone
Lorenzo Loera – organ, background vocals
Beau Bradbury – bass

Guests

Grace Love – lead vocal
Jimmy James – guitar
Warren Jones – tambourine

The California Honeydrops: Live From Strange Manor

Filmed by Nick Noyes and Zoë Andrikidis
Edited by Nick Noyes
Engineered/Mixed by Jacob LaCally 
Live at Strange Manor, Richmond, CA 
"Let's Go Get Stoned" written by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, and Josephine Armstead
Special Thanks to AEA Ribbon Mics – www.ribbonmics.com