Shuggie Otis At ACL Fest – Austin Chronicle Concert Review

Scion of the founding West Coast R&B dynasty going back to his father, classic Forties/Fifties bandleader Johnny Otis, Shuggie’s set Sunday demonstrated many amazing qualities. For one, how to preside over an audience while rooted to one spot and just wailing. This is how enormous the man’s stage presence is: He does not have to move a muscle, fingers and vocal chords aside.

Secondly, this man and his music can make every butt in a dwindling house shake unfettered, yet he and his songs remain unruffled. Shuggie’s sounds are definitely the smoothest to ever have a South Central address.

Third, Otis’ guitar work draws a direct line to the second word in the phrase “rhythm & blues.” … How the man can cut like he does and still retain a mellow tone on his instrument is a true mystery.

Read the complete concert review at The Austin Chronicle.

Photo credit: Sandy Carson