Shuggie Otis
Shuggie Otis Plays the Blues (1994)

review by: Alexander Washburn
Date: 11/15/01

You ever see that movie about the young kid who plays the blues like
a elderly, gray-haired man who has been down in the Delta all his life. Oh wait, that's not a movie. That's the real life tale of Shuggie Otis, the most unknown musical genius.

Can a 15-year old geniunely whisper out "Sweet Thang," and not make it sound like a joke. Can a 15-year old lay down lyrics like "You ain't giving Shuggie no love," without making it sound utterly ridiculous. Can a 15-year old write a song named "Shuggie's Old Time Slide Boogie" and not have it sound like a total, complete rip-off.

Somehow. Someway. Shuggie Otis pulls all of this off and more.

Written in 1969, this record is classic, pure guitar driven blues. The kind played at places with the word "joint" in their name. The kind of blues the guys on the street corner use to tell you about.