Features
The One & Only Shuggie Otis
Hailed as the “musician’s musician,” multi-instrumentalist and soul legend Shuggie Otis has new material set for release later this year as well as show dates in Australia, Japan and the U.S.A., giving you plenty of chances to experience him in action in 2013.
The son of Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member Johnny Otis is an artist that has influenced so many people, it’s difficult to sum up his career in a simple tour announcement. Not only did Otis play with people ranging from Frank Zappa to Charles Brown to Mos Def, but he also penned “Strawberry Letter 23,” the 1977 Top Five hit for the Brothers Johnson.
Otis’ upcoming release is a double-CD package with the first disc being a restored version of his third album, the 1974 masterpiece Inspiration Information. Along with the album’s original nine-song set, the release will also include four previously unreleased bonus tracks recorded in 1971.
The second CD – Wings Of Love – features 14 previously unreleased live and studio tracks recorded between 1975 and 2000 and represents Otis’ first new recordings since 1974.
Inspiration Information/Wings Of Love is scheduled for an April 16 release on Epic/Legacy.
Artwork for Inspiration Information/Wings Of Love (click on image for complete photo).
The 2013 Shuggie Otis Rite Tour begins with a Jan. 10 gig at the “SummerStage Showcase” at New York City’s Highline Ballroom with his name topping a lineup that also includes People Get Ready, Ofei, Joshua Nelson and DJ Kool Herc. Presented by the City Parks Foundation in partnership with Santa Monica’s Twilight Concerts At The Pier, the event serves as a tease for the city’s 2013 SummerStage series covering 18 parks located throughout NYC’s five boroughs.
Like the SummerStage concerts, Santa Monica’s Twilight Concerts strives to bring free entertainment to the people. In 2012, the Southern California annual series hosted Best Coast, Amadou & Mariam, Donavon Frankenreiter and others.
Other touring destinations for Otis include a stop in Mexico City followed by shows in Australia, Japan, the U.S. and Canada. Here’s the schedule:
Jan. 10 – New York City, N.Y., HighLine Ballroom
Feb. 23 – Mexico City, Mexico, El Plaza Condesa
March 23 – Newtown, Australia, Enmore Theatre
March 24 – Melbourne, Australia, Hamer Hall
March 26 – Brisbane, Australia, The Tivoli
March 28 – Tyagarah, Australia, Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm
March 29 – Tyagarah, Australia, Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm
March 31 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live Tokyo
April 1 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live Tokyo
April 14 – Toronto, Ontario, Phoenix Concert Theatre
April 17 – Chicago, Ill., Lincoln Hall
April 18 – New York City, N.Y., B.B. King Blues Club
April 21 – Washington, D.C., The Howard Theatre
April 23 – Seattle, Wash., Triple Door
April 24 – Seattle, Wash., Triple Door
April 26 – San Francisco, Calif., Mezzanine
Otis appears with The Robert Cray Band and Taj Mahal March 23-24 & 26 and on the “Bluesfest” lineup March 28-29. For more information, click here for the artist’s official website and here for his Facebook page.