Shuggie Otis | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Shuggie Otis may not be a household name, but his "Strawberry Letter 23" is in a multitude of household record collections. The Brothers Johnsons cover of the song has sold over a million copies, peaking at number one R&B; and number five pop on Billboards charts in summer 1977. It was on their LP Right on Time, which went platinum, selling over a million copies, holding the number one R&B; spot for three weeks, and making it to number 13 pop in spring 1977. Otis wrote "Strawberry Letter 23" for his girlfriend, who used strawberry-scented paper for her letters to him. Another Otis favorite, "Inspiration Information," received substantial airplay in Chicago and other markets, charting at number 56 R&B; in early 1975. In addition, Otis, who had been absent from the recording scene for decades, achieved renewed renown and a new generation of fans after Luaka Bop reissued his classic album Inspiration Information in 2001. Born Johnny Otis, Jr. on November 30, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, Otis formidable musical talents appeared at an early age. He began his professional career around 1965. He played a guitar solo on his father Johnny Otis 1969 number 29 R&B; hit "Country Girl," issued by Kent Records. His guitar skills were so adept that, during his teen years, he would have to wear dark glasses and strategically apply black ink between his nose and mouth to appear old enough to perform in clubs with his father. Signing with CBS Records, Otis began recording virtuoso guitar-laced R&B;/West Coast blues sides. His first LP was Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis on CBS. Johnny Otis produced 1970s Here Comes Shuggie Otis, which was issued on the CBS imprint Epic Records. Otis Freedom Flight was issued September 1971 and included the original version of "Strawberry Letter 23," the heart-tugging "Someones Always Singing," "Ice Cold Daydream," and the bluesy "Me and My Woman," co-written by Otis and Gene Barge (known best for his association with Chess Records, Chuck Willis, and Natalie Cole). His LP Inspiration Information was issued in October 1974, with Otis playing all of the instruments on jazzy and Latin-tinged R&B; numbers. The LP was one of the first releases to showcase the electronic rhythm box then usually found on organs. Besides "Inspiration Information," the LP included the sly "Sparkle City," the sweet ballad "Outtamihead," and the lush, strings-laden "Island Letter," which was the B-side of "Inspiration Information." George Johnson of the Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis cousins, who gave Johnson a copy of Freedom Flight. Immediately, he liked "Ice Cold Daydream" and "Strawberry Letter 23." The latter song was played at his brother Louis Johnsons wedding during the wedding march. Louis suggested the song to their producer Quincy Jones for an album track. The tracks complex guitar solo was played by Lee Ritenour. The Brothers Johnson version is quite close to Otis original. Later in the 90s, Otis played with his own band around Northern California and toured extensively. His son, Lucky Otis, played bass with Johnny Otis band. Shuggie Otis is featured in the book Alligator Records Presents West Coast Blues, issued in August 1998 by Milwaukee, Wisconsin, publisher Hal Leonard. Otis played live but didnt record under his own name for nearly two decades. Live in Williamsburg, his first-ever live album, was cut during his comeback tour at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York in 2013 and issued a year later. His next studio date was recorded nearly five years later for Cleopatra. Entitled Inter-Fusion, the set featured Otis leading a quartet whose membership included drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Beck, Bogert & Appice), bassist Tony Franklin (the Firm, Roy Harper), and keyboardist/producer Kyle Hamood (Them Guns) in a primarily instrumental program of originals. Preceded by an in-studio video, the album was issued in April 2018. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 11 Title: Here Comes Shuggie Otis Released: 1970 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Oxford Gray (06:51) 2 Jennie Lee (02:11) 3 Bootie Cooler (02:43) 4 Knowing (That You Want Him) (02:35) 5 Funky Thithee (03:10) 6 Shuggies Boogie (05:31) 7 Hurricane (02:20) 8 Gospel Groove (04:15) 9 Baby, I Needed You (03:45) 10 The Hawks (02:27) |
| Here Comes Shuggie Otis : Allmusic album Review : 1971s Here Comes Shuggie Otis was the debut album by the guitarist and songwriter, issued by Columbia, when Shuggie was only 18. Produced and arranged by his father, R&B legend Johnny Otis, the set features nine original cuts co-written by the pair, and in some cases others, and one written by Johnny with Dan Aldrich. The album is evenly divided between vocal tunes and instrumentals. The cast for these sessions included Johnny, Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper, bassist Al McKibbon, Preston Love, Jackie Kelso, Plas Johnson, and a string section. "Oxford Gray," the albums opener, is an instrumental written by Johnny, Shuggie, Felder, and Hooper. Unlike anything that ever came before it, its a baroque blues tune that features Shuggie playing both electric and acoustic bottleneck slide, a harpsichord, strings, and a groovy little backbeat that walks the edge of blues and funk. It feels like a suite because of its many composed sections, but Shuggies guitar is pure improvisational poetry. This is followed by the beautiful, psychedelic pop of "Jennie Lee." Shuggies vocals werent quite there, and were still somewhat tentative, but his gorgeous, Albert King-inflected guitar solo is right in the pocket, and stands in wonderful contrast to his acoustic string in the verses. The horns are restrained and regal, and the textural palette of the cut is lush and spacious. There is plenty of rootsy playing here too, such as on "Bootie Cooler," a Stax-styled blues groove, and the name-dropping shimmy and shake of "Shuggies Boogie," the wig-tightening funk of "Hurricane," and the reverentially gritty "Gospel Groove." It closes with a modern soul rocker called "Baby I Needed You," with a killer hook in the refrain even if Shuggies vocal doesnt quite pull it all off. Here Comes Shuggie Otis stands the test of time over 30 years later, and stands as a hallmark of songwriting, improvisation, and production acumen. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 11 Title: Freedom Flight Released: 1971-09 Tracks: 7 Duration: 38:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ice Cold Daydream (02:30) 2 Strawberry Letter 23 (03:59) 3 Sweet Thang (04:10) 4 Me and My Woman (04:16) 5 Someones Always Singing (03:22) 6 Purple (07:08) 7 Freedom Flight (12:56) |
| Freedom Flight : Allmusic album Review : 1971s Freedom Flight is perhaps, in its own way, every bit as adventurous and regal as Shuggie Otis masterpiece, Inspiration Information. Produced by Shuggies father, R&B legend Johnny Otis, the album features seven stellar, genre bending cuts, most of which were written or co-written by Shuggie. Oh yes, he was 15 was the time. Shuggie not only arranged the date, he played everything from guitars and bass organ to various percussion instruments. Additional musicians include Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper, Aynsley Dunbar, Preston Love, George Duke, and a trio of backing vocalists -- Clydie King, Venetta Field, and Shirley Matthews -- all of whom would grace Bob Dylans Street Legal a few years later. In addition, Johnny employed a full string section for these sessions. Upon listening to Freedom Flight, the influence of Jimi Hendrix is everywhere. Not so much in Shuggies playing, but in its texture and production. He and Johnny had obviously spent a lot of time listening to Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland. In addition, the recordings of Taj Mahal, Fred McDowell, and Frank Zappa figure in here, too. Freedom Flight boasts Shuggies single greatest composition: "Strawberry Letter 23," a monster platinum single for the Brothers Johnson. But its Shuggies version that stands the test of time best. Its slower, much more baroque and paisley than the cover. The tenderness in Shuggies voice as he intones the lyrics is a real draw. "Me And My Woman," is one of the funkiest blues tunes ever recorded, with its dirty keyboard bassline that George Clinton stole wholesale three years later. In addition, two long instrumental works that end the album, "Purple" (just try to convince someone that Prince didnt listen to this tune in particular, and this album in general, over and over again before forming his aesthetic), and the title tracks are visionary and expansive with jaw-droppingly virtuoso guitar playing that is so tastefully, soulfully, and elegantly executed it still hard to believe after all these decades that a 15 year old ever played them: Stevie Ray Vaughan had nothing on Shuggie. Freedom Flight is just as important as Inspiration Information. Its a bit rawer, not quite as lush, but it is every bit as visionary and groundbreaking. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 11 Title: Inspiration Information Released: 1974 Tracks: 9 Duration: 32:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Inspiration Information (04:11) 2 Island Letter (04:41) 3 Sparkle City (05:57) 4 Aht Uh Mi Hed (04:14) 5 Happy House (01:16) 6 Rainy Day (02:42) 7 XL-30 (02:08) 8 Pling! (04:28) 9 Not Available (02:30) |
| Inspiration Information : Allmusic album Review : Ignored upon its release in 1974 and celebrated upon its reissue in 2001, Shuggie Otis fourth and last album Inspiration Information exists out of time -- a record that was of its time, but didnt belong of it; a record that was idiosyncratic but not necessarily visionary. It was psychedelic soul that was released far too late to be part of any zeitgeist and it was buried at the time. Yet no matter what Luaka Bops grand poobah David Byrne claims on the sticker -- he says Shuggies "trippy R&B; jams are equal to Marvins and Curtis, but somehow more contemporary sounding...closer to DAngelo meets DJ Shadow" -- this isnt revolutionary. It can occasionally sound modern, such as on the rolling head trip "XL-30," but only because its the kind of groove Shadow would sample and build on; the slow, liquid instrumental head trips sound the same way. Perhaps thats why it can seem more contemporary -- contemporary ears are more attuned to these relaxed, warmly trippy soundscapes. Otis crafted all of this essentially alone, playing each instrument himself, and its quite clearly a reflection of his inner psyche, and no matter how much it floats and skates upon its own sound, its a welcoming, inviting sound. But, no matter how much the partisans claim -- and their effusive praise is plastered all over the liner notes, with Sean OHagan claiming that it shocks you out of a rut, Stereolabs Tim Gane says it is "almost like a new style of music that couldve developed but never did" -- this isnt revolutionary, even if its delightfully idiosyncratic. So, dont fall for the hyperbole. This isnt an album that knocks your head off -- its subtle, intricate music thats equal parts head music and elegant funk, a record that slowly works its way under your skin. Part of the reason it sounds so intriguing in 2001 is that there just arent that many musicians that doggedly pursue their individual vision while retaining a sense of focus. But it isnt a record without precedent, nor is it startling. Its a record for people that have heard a lot of music, maybe too much, and are looking for a new musical romance. [Luaka Bops reissue contains four fine bonus tracks, including the original version of "Strawberry Letter 23," which the Brothers Johnson later had a hit with. The reissue also replaces the original cover -- which is nowhere to be seen in the liner notes -- with a "hip," self-consciously retro cover. Also, it has put in the "World Psychedelic Classics" with Os Mutantes, which is slightly misleading and a little unsettling -- with that subheading, theres just a little too much self-conscious, scholarly distance at play.] | ||
 | Album: 4 of 11 Title: The New Johnny Otis Show with Shuggie Otis Released: 1991-07-01 Tracks: 11 Duration: 36:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Drinkin Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (02:42) 2 Every Beat of My Heart (04:54) 3 Jonella and Jack (03:30) 4 What Else Can I Do (02:48) 5 Half Steppin Woman (04:14) 6 Why Dont You Do Right (04:05) 7 Big Time Scoop (03:48) 8 I Never Felt This Way Before (03:16) 9 Dont Deceive Me (04:18) 10 So Fine (02:46) 11 Johnny Otis Theme (snippet) (00:10) |
 | Album: 5 of 11 Title: Shuggies Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays the Blues Released: 1994-05-10 Tracks: 12 Duration: 52:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 12:15 Slow Goonbash Blues (09:30) 2 Shuggies Boogie (05:32) 3 Gospel Groove (04:16) 4 The Hawks (02:27) 5 Me and My Woman (04:16) 6 I Can Stand to See You Die (04:09) 7 I Got the Walkin Blues (02:23) 8 Purple (edited version) (04:50) 9 Cold Shot (04:07) 10 Sweet Thang (04:12) 11 Bootie Cooler (02:39) 12 Shuggies Old Time Slide Boogie (04:01) |
| Shuggie's Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays the Blues : Allmusic album Review : Culled from four albums, except for one previously unreleased track, Shuggies Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays the Blues is a tour de force made all the more remarkable because the prodigy who produced it was so young. In fact, Shuggie Otis recalls during a boyish spoken intro in "Shuggies Boogie" how he used to wear dark glasses and paint on a mustache to look older than his 14 or 15 years when he played in bars in the band of his legendary father Johnny Otis. During the same intro he effortlessly throws off guitar impersonations of T-Bone Walker, B.B. King and Elmore James. This compilation has a few rousing, up-tempo numbers, but the highlights are the slow, soulful tunes. One unfortunate omission is the seven-minute "Oxford Gray" from his 1970 album Here Comes Shuggie Otis. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 11 Title: In Session Information Released: 2002-11 Tracks: 15 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Doin It (?) 2 Country Girl (?) 3 The Signifying Monkey (?) 4 I Got a Big Fat Mama (?) 5 Sugar (?) 6 Trackin Machine (?) 7 I Wanna Make You Happy (?) 8 Black Night (?) 9 Louie Louie (?) 10 Willie and the Hand Jive (?) 11 Big Legged Woman (?) 12 Trouble (?) 13 Ooh Baby I Love You (?) 14 Round About Midnight (?) 15 Boom-Chick-A-Boogie (?) |
| In Session Information : Allmusic album Review : In Session Information is an entirely different release than another Shuggie Otis compilation that came out in 2002 with a similar title, In Session: Great Rhythm & Blues. The confusion is enhanced by similar contents on both discs, however, as each assembles Otis session work on which he backed 50s R&B; stars who were long past their commercial prime. In fact, about half of In Session Informations 15 cuts also appear on the 22-track In Session: Great Rhythm & Blues, so youll have to get both CDs if youre serious about your Otis session appearance library. The larger question is whether such session work is worth acquiring, even if youre a serious Otis fan, for these songs are acceptable but hardly great mid-70s recordings for father Johnny Otis Blues Spectrum label, in which the sounds (and, often, one-time hit songs) of veterans Richard Berry, Roy Milton, Eddie Vinson, Charles Brown, Joe Liggins, and Johnny Otis himself were updated with soul and funk arrangements. Its not a Shuggie Otis album, though hes the billed artist on the cover; he adds good blues-rock-R&B; guitar licks, but hes not the star of the show, and this is far from his most original work. For that matter, the original versions of tracks like Johnny Otis "Signifying Monkey" and "Willie and the Hand Jive," Berrys "Louie Louie," and Browns "Black Night" are certainly preferable to these competent remakes. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 11 Title: Here Comes Shuggie Otis / Freedom Flight Released: 2003-10-14 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:18:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Oxford Gray (06:57) 2 Jennie Lee (02:13) 3 Bootie Cooler (02:43) 4 Knowing (That You Want Him) (02:33) 5 Funky Thithee (03:15) 6 Shuggies Boogie (05:36) 7 Hurricane (02:20) 8 Gospel Groove (04:16) 9 Baby, I Needed You (03:45) 10 The Hawks (02:30) 11 Ice Cold Daydream (02:30) 12 Strawberry Letter 23 (03:59) 13 Sweet Thang (04:10) 14 Me and My Woman (04:16) 15 Someones Always Singing (03:22) 16 Purple (07:08) 17 Freedom Flight (12:56) 18 One Room Country Shack (03:35) |
| Here Comes Shuggie Otis / Freedom Flight : Allmusic album Review : It took an Australian label to pick up the gauntlet thrown down by David Byrne with his Luaka Bop reissue of Shuggie Otis forgotten 1975 classic, Inspiration Information. In the ensuing two years, no U.S. label stepped up to license the rest of the catalog, which consists of only two more recordings, Here Comes Shuggie Otis, from 1971, and 1972s Freedom Flight. Australias Raven, one of the worlds premier reissue labels, has picked up the gauntlet in spades and presents both on a single, gorgeously remastered CD. Shuggies earlier outings stand on their own two feet as well. Here Comes Shuggie Otis was released when the guitarist and songwriter was only 14. His father, Johnny Otis, produced the recording, and co-wrote the album with his son. Some of the session players include Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper, Leon Haywood, Al McKibbon, Preston Love, and many others, including a chamber string group. Shuggies vocals were not yet confident, but the groove-heavy tunes and his guitar playing more than compensate. The production is a shape-shifting morass of fades and phasers with lots of space. Standout tracks are the baroque psychedelic blues of "Oxford Gray," the tough guitar and B3/piano interplay on "Funky Thithee," the beautiful and tender "Jennie Lee," the funky horn-driven R&B; on "Hurricane," and the shimmering, sacred blues of "Gospel Groove." On Freedom Flight, the roots of Inspiration Information are everywhere. Shuggie wrote four of the albums seven tunes, did all the arrangements, and helped Johnny with production suggestions. The senior Otis produced the set and allowed all of Shuggies "weird" ideas full-reign in production, and he was joined by a host of musicians from the first album, along with George Duke, Aynsley Dunbar, and the backing chorus of Clydie King, Venetta Field, and Shirley Matthews, among others. Shuggie plays a slew of instruments on the set. Its centerpiece is "Strawberry Letter 23" that filled out Inspiration Informations reissue, but there are no weak cuts here. Sample the guitars on "Sweet Thang," "Purple," and "Freedom Flight," the latter displays two extended jamming exercises with lots of wondrously magical production touches; the former is a visionary bottleneck number that is warm and oozes soul. The bassline on "Me And My Woman" prefigures that distorted keyboard bass P-Funk trademarked earlier, by two years. The CD is rounded out by the inclusion of "One Room Country Shack," a cut from Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis.There are fine if unexciting liner notes and some cool photos, as well as complete discographical information in the booklet making this package every bit as essential as Inspiration Information. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 11 Title: Original Album Classics Released: 2011 Tracks: 26 Duration: 1:46:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Oxford Gray (06:51) 2 Jennie Lee (02:11) 3 Bootie Cooler (02:43) 4 Knowing (That You Want Him) (02:35) 5 Funky Thithee (03:10) 6 Shuggies Boogie (05:31) 7 Hurricane (02:20) 8 Gospel Groove (04:15) 9 Baby, I Needed You (03:45) 10 The Hawks (02:27) 1 Ice Cold Daydream (02:30) 2 Strawberry Letter 23 (03:59) 3 Sweet Thang (04:10) 4 Me and My Woman (04:16) 5 Someones Always Singing (03:22) 6 Purple (07:08) 7 Freedom Flight (12:56) 1 Inspiration Information (04:11) 2 Island Letter (04:41) 3 Sparkle City (05:57) 4 Aht Uh Mi Hed (04:14) 5 Happy House (01:16) 6 Rainy Day (02:42) 7 XL-30 (02:08) 8 Pling! (04:28) 9 Not Available (02:30) |
 | Album: 9 of 11 Title: Introducing Shuggie Otis Released: 2013 Tracks: 10 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Hurricane (?) 2 Baby, I Need You (?) 3 Ice Cold Daydream (?) 4 Strawberry Letter 23 (?) 5 Sweet Thang (?) 6 Me And My Woman (?) 7 Inspiration Information (?) 8 Island Letter (?) 9 Sparkle City (?) 10 Aht Uh Mi Hed (?) |
 | Album: 10 of 11 Title: Inspiration Information / Wings of Love Released: 2013-04-16 Tracks: 27 Duration: 1:55:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Inspiration Information (04:12) 2 Island Letter (04:43) 3 Sparkle City (05:58) 4 Aht Uh Mi Hed (04:15) 5 Happy House (01:21) 6 Rainy Day (02:42) 7 XL-30 (02:09) 8 Pling! (04:30) 9 Not Available (02:32) 10 Miss Pretty (02:13) 11 Magic (04:26) 12 Things We Like to Do (03:08) 13 Castle Top Jam (03:37) 1 Intro (00:04) 2 Special (04:34) 3 Give Me Something Good (03:46) 4 Tryin to Get Close to You (03:18) 5 Walkin Down the Country (04:21) 6 Doin Whats Right (02:46) 7 Wings of Love (11:35) 8 Give Me a Chance (05:20) 9 Dont You Run Away (05:13) 10 Fireball of Love (05:25) 11 Fawn (06:02) 12 If Youd Be Mine (05:39) 13 Black Belt Sheriff (06:34) 14 Destination You! (04:39) |
| Inspiration Information / Wings of Love : Allmusic album Review : As Shuggie Otis never capitalized on his newfound success in the 90s, somehow incapable of cobbling together a new record in the wake of the 2001 Luaka Bop reissue of Inspiration Information, it may be easy for partisans to overrate the 2013 Legacy pairing of that 1974 album with Wings of Love, a new collection of material Otis recorded between 1975 and 2000. That quarter-century span should be a tip-off that this is not a lean, coherent, purposeful album, but rather a collection of every listenable thing Otis completed over the course of 25 years, and in that sense, its pretty good. Part of its appeal is that it is so thoroughly out of phase with the present that some songs seem to date either much earlier or much later than their original recording (for instance, the title track "Wings of Love" feels heavily inspired by Todd Rundgrens 1975 classic "Real Man," but apparently wasnt tracked until 1990). All of Wings of Love has a slightly woozy, trippy feel, something characteristic of its one-man-band origin, where keyboards and compressed microphones create a hazy tapestry, and part of the appeal of this music is how it feels like the late 70s and early 80s without belonging to its time; it certainly doesnt feel modern, but it cant be pinned to any specific year, which is appropriate as Otis essentially dropped out of sight and made this music in a vacuum. That isolation is certainly part of the appeal of Wings of Love, particularly because Otis isnt entirely unaware of what constituted a hit in 1987, so he overloads "Give Me a Chance" with drum machines and synthesizers that belong to the spring of that year, and part of the fun is hearing the disconnect between Otis aspirations and what made for a hit in 1987, or how "Give Me Chance" isnt that far removed from 1977s tinny, pulsating "Dont You Run Away." Both of these are good songs and there are other good moments here, some sounding quite different than expected (the overloaded Hendrixian guitar of "Fireball of Love"), but the fact that the 1977 and 1987 tracks do not have a great distance in either their production or sensibility doesnt speak to a unique vision, it illustrates how far into his own world Otis was. And while thats an interesting place to visit, Wings of Love doesnt speak to a misunderstood genius; its the sound an eccentric who was able to run wild for years on end, never caring about whether his music would be heard. In theory, thats fascinating. In practice, its generally a curiosity. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 11 Title: Inter-Fusion Released: 2018-04-20 Tracks: 8 Duration: 41:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Aphelion (04:28) 2 Get a Grip (05:00) 3 Ice Cold Daydream (03:54) 4 Interlude (05:05) 5 Woman (04:35) 6 Sweet Surrender (05:43) 7 Clear Power (08:02) 8 V8 (04:55) |