IMMORTAL SOUL MUSIC | EVAN CRANDELL
PHOTOS | EVAN CRANDELL
PHOTOS | EVAN CRANDELL
September 28, 2013 - When musicians wear sunglasses through an entire performance,
they are either trying too hard to conjure an unrealistic stage persona or they
have been in the game long enough, paid their dues, and gained enough swagger
to the point where they have no choice but
to wear sunglasses. The legendary Shuggie Otis falls into the latter category.
The show was completely sonically unified. Otis’ sound is so
distinct that it does not require any labels other than his name. His
unexpectedly high, almost restrained but utterly funky vocal delivery, combined
with thumping bass lines, understated but catchy guitar riffs, and spotless
arrangements all define the Shuggie Otis sound.
The majority of the program was taken from Otis’ masterful but
criminally under-appreciated 1974 album Inspiration Information. It was
worth the price of admission just to hear songs such as “Aht Uh Mi Hed” and
“Inspiration Information” performed by the man who penned these fascinatingly
unconventional hits.

One of the highlights of the show and certainly of the material
from the new album was “Special,” which has all the patented Shuggie Otis
elements on top of a dance groove that would not let anyone in the room stand
still. The floating, airy guitar riff in the chorus is a prime example of how
Otis’ music sounds nothing like anything else.
Along with achieving song writing mastery, Otis showed that he
also knows when to share the spotlight. Every member of the band had at least
one chance to solo and the most notable example was a back-to-basics, 12-bar
blues that took Otis to his roots and allowed several extended solos, each of
which was crafted with care and built toward an emotional and musical
explosion.
Even with the impressive solo contributions from the band,
though, there was something different about Otis’ guitar solos. Every one would
start simple enough, staying in the pocket and inside the harmony without
making any drastic statements. Before long, though, they would gradually build
and without necessarily noticing it, we were soon witnessing a complete
takeover. It was as if Otis, through his guitar, grabbed the band, the song,
and the music, and physically elevated it to another level. His guitar would
scream with fervor while spewing poetic and tasteful melodies. Otis’ head would
snap backward in passion and he would occasionally show his teeth in
uncontrollable grimaces of pure musical ecstasy.
The show was a beautiful, well-executed musical package that was
both inspiring and astounding. By the time the encore of “Strawberry Letter 23”
came to a close, Otis had showed us why his irresistible brand of music has
remained pertinent over the years. His sound and soul are timeless and his new
material and that which is yet to come will no doubt continue to astonish us.
Otis also proved in one show that he has the right to wear sunglasses wherever,
whenever he pleases for as long as he lives.