For funk fans, there aren't a lot of artists who rank as high on the "Holy Shit, He's Coming to Town?" list as Shuggie Otis. The son of legendary bluesman Johnny Otis, author of the all-time classic
"Strawberry Letter 23"and one of the earliest R&B artists to self-produce a record, Otis' '70s recordings were all but lost to the dollar bin of history. Then in 2001, after years of cult appreciation from a very vocal crowd, Otis' masterwork Inspiration Information was reissued by David Byrne's legendary Luaka Bop Records, introducing Otis to a new generation of fans and solidifying his reputation as one of the most innovative artists to ever work in the soul vernacular.
Otis his been absent from the touring circuit since Inspiration's release, underlining his reputation as an outsider and eccentric, even if — as he states in this New York Times feature — "there’s a misconception that I actually quit." But he's got a new album, the rarities comp Wings of Love, and he's been back on the road including a stop at Exit/In tomorrow night. From what friends in other cities have told me, the live show is great and the band is on fire. All of which is pretty awesome, if you consider the fact that the dude was more myth than anything this time last year.
I'll have a feature in tomorrow's dead-tree edition of the Scene. Also, Shuggie Otis was kind enough to answer a few questions for me via email. See what he has to say after the jump.
Otis plays Exit/In Thursday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, and it's an 18-and-up show.
What did your father teach you about the blues?
That "feel" is the most important. You can play all the right notes with the wrong feel, and it won't sound right. On the other hand, you can play the "wrong" note with the right feel and make it work. That might sound confusing, but if I played what I meant, it would make sense.
You were self-producing your own records in the '70s, about 30 years before that became a typical thing. What was the toughest part of that?
Convincing everyone else I could do it. HAHAHA! My father believed in me once he saw me in the studio and saw how serious I was. It took some convincing to make other people understand how clearly I knew what I wanted to achieve in the studio.
How has the record industry changed since you first started recording? How is it the same?
The Internet has certainly changed things — digital media, YouTube and other things I don't really know much about. It's a whole new world, and I'm excited to learn more about it. What's the same is that people still crave to hear something that will enrich their lives and lift their spirits. I'm really thankful to have the opportunity to share my gift.
Has it been challenging to resume touring, to get back into the groove of the old songs?
It's been an exciting challenge, but my current band is the best I've ever had or been involved with. Albert Wing on tenor sax; Larry Douglas on trumpet and Flugelhorn; Michael J. Turre on baritone sax, flute and piccolo; James Manning on bass; DeWany "Blackbyrd" McKnight on guitar; Russ "Swang" Stewart on Keyboards; and my younger brother Nick Otis on drums.
Are there any plans for new recordings?
I'm working on my new album right now. It'll be released next year on my label Shugiterius Enterprises. I'm writing all the time on the road and at home. I'll be doing some tracks by myself, but I'll also be bringing the musicians in my band for some things, along with some special guests.
Any advice for younger musicians?
Be yourself ... even if it takes people a while to appreciate you for who you are.
