When people talk about iconic talents like Prince, it’s usually because of his uncommon ability to write, perform, and play multiple types of instruments, and do it all extraordinarily well. As far as pop stars go, indeed there are not many that rival The Purple One. But before Prince, there was an unsung maverick whose consummate self-perfectionism and reclusive demeanor rivaled Prince. His name was Shuggie Otis. Southern California’s Otis Jr. created music during the late 1960s, ‘70s and early ’80s that was both timeless and ahead of its time. On Saturday, October 12, Otis plays House of Blues in New Orleans as part of his “Neverending World Tour” – his first in decades.
The legendary Shuggie Otis plays House of Blues on Saturday, October 12.
Otis is the type of artist that record company executives loathe. He has always taken his time to make his releases just the way he envisioned them, meaning that his level of perfectionism often bred missed promotional opportunities. This is probably why nearly everyone is familiar with the song “Strawberry Letter 23,” but have you heard of its author, Shuggie Otis? The Brothers Johnson covered the song, making it a hit recording and popular in concert tours the world over. The tune was also anthematic in the Quentin Tarantino film Jackie Brown. Otis recorded and performed it first.
Shuggie, the son of a legend in his own right, Johnny Otis, is notorious for turning down collaboration requests from other famous and respected musicians. Though he did work over the years with Frank Zappa, Etta James, David Byrne and Bobby “Blue” Bland, he also refused invitations from giants like Quincy Jones and the Rolling Stones. As early as 1970, B.B. King said Shuggie was his “favorite new guitar player.” He was constantly scouted by music’s top producers throughout the ’70s, when three of his four solo albums were released, but in fact he all but fell off the map after the 1974 release of his album Inspiration / Information. He began playing in his father’s famous band again in the early ’80s and recorded an album for Alligator Records (the Chicago-based imprint that has several New Orleans musicians like Anders Osborne and Eric Lindell on its roster), but it took a whole new generation of vinyl addicts and crate diggers for Shuggie’s star to be reborn.
Otis Jr.’s true revival began in the ’90s when hip-hop pioneers like Los Angeles’ DJ Quik sampled “Strawberry Letter 23” for one of his hits. More interest in his music continued when R&B and hip-hop stars like Outkast (“Ms. Jackson”), J. Dilla (“Donuts Outro”), and even Beyoncé (“Be With You”), sampled more of his classic material for their own releases.
Young Johnny Veliotes-Otis Jr, aka Shuggie Otis
Almost 40 years after his last release, Shuggie Otis has been all the buzz this year as a result of a Sony Music reissue of Inspiration / Information as a special double-disc with an unreleased recording from Otis’ vault, Wings of Love. When a music authority like Questlove of The Roots says of the release “His music is so potent that it only blossomed 30 years later,” you know it’s time to pay attention.
To say that Otis’ music is timeless is an understatement. Four decades in the freezer, and somehow contemporary rock, funk and R&B fans are just as into this release as guitar freaks and hippies were for early Jimi Hendrix. His obvious influences from the music of the 1960s prevails, but just as often sounds like he was making music for the futuristic synth echoes of the 1980s.
The rare opportunity to experience a true music talent and enigma awaits Saturday night at the House of Blues (225 Decatur St) when Otis performs in New Orleans on his year-long world tour. The show is October 12 at 8pm and tickets are $30 or $75 VIP seating. Info: 504-310-4999.
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