Shuggie Otis - Freedom Flight

[cs868]

A stunning piece of music. It's nearly impossible to comprehend Shuggie Otis was only 17 years old when he recorded this landmark LP that hardly anyone knows about. The world deserves more of Shuggie.

[caramimi]

Music & video --sublime.

[thugishblondi69]

whos playing piano in the video

[sduff68]

Never heard of this guy until tonight...this song should be ranked up there with John Coltrane's "Love Supreme", NO JOKE!

Wow...what an amazing talent...he is just one of those enigmas. It appears that he was just as talented as Stevie Wonder....and Stevie, despite his fame, is probably one of the least appreciated artist in modern history.

[bolder2009]

@sduff68 Having listened to his body of work, I'd say he was closer to Sly Stone than Stevie Wonder in his asthetic, although this piece brings to mind the 2nd movement of Stevie's 'Super Woman (Where Were You When I Needed You)', so perhaps you are right. He was a child prodigy, and virtuoso on guitar and bass. As a producer and arranger I'd rank him with Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield and Brian Wilson. Vocally and lyrically he isn't seeing Stevie. That's where I draw the line. But he is a genius!

[bolder2009]

@sduff68 I agree about the Coltrane suite, 'A Love Supreme'. This is definitely up there with it. I felt that from the first time I listened to it some years ago.

[taildragger53]

Absolutely beautiful....the film clip is so moving..perfect for the music.

Thank you!

[fuman1964]

A music prodigy! amen!

[pretorious700]

Shuggie is a rare combination of soul, inspiration, and chops. One of my favorite musicians. He plays bass on Zappa's "Peaches En Regalia".

[cliffworks4321]

@pretorious700 now that i did not know, excellent!

[tashlosung]

some of john mayers solo's are reminicent of this, he's got nothing on shuggie though, he's obviously a fan. brilliant stuff

[MrDustyrhodes]

So what happened to Shuggie. Be honesr! Brother.,  I thought he

was going to replace Jimi! But no! Then Stevie Ray but no! Is

death really a release? I think not.......

[cantoresdefreites]

@MrDustyrhodes . Shuggie is a strange case.. Otis was approached by Billy Preston on behalf of The Rolling Stones, asking him to join the band for their upcoming world tour (1974). He declined the offer, along with the chance to work with Quincy Jones in helping produce Otis's next album, which was never recorded.

Otis continues to record sporadically. He resides in the Northern Californian village of Sebastopol.

[cliffworks4321]

@cantoresdefreites I heard harpist Sugar Blue and guitarist Roy Buchanan also declined similar offers;

my ancient friend bassist Daryll Jones accepted and has a sweet gig. I am still waiting to be called,

will let you know my deicsion.

[fan825]

Beautiful.

[marpora13]

Muy linNDOooo!!!!!

[onlybrad]

We used to listen to this completely stoned out of our minds in our college dorm room way back in 1971. This song would take us to another world. Didn't graduate.

Brothers Johnson's Strawberry Letter 23 doesn't come close to Shuggie's original comp. Man, that double-track guitar at the end. Genius.

[zangiefsagat]

@onlybrad lololololololol

[iampsalmbody]

P(e)ace! Fresh finger and foot work + other classic footage for a longtime fave ~ by no means too obtrusive, either! Your soulful vid is a perfect tenant in lieu of what we know/understand to be his most lovely, rightful work! Someone was bound to share goodness in this regard and that's you! We've come a long way! :) God Bless, t*

[FlavioGuimaraesRJ12]

OUTRAGEOUS !!! So Cool !!!

[jonahc73]

Had the privilege of seeing Shuggie at the Fairview pub in Vancouver, BC (for about 25 people) in 1998(?). After his first set, I and asked him if he could write "Shuggie Otis" on the original pressing of Freedom Flight that I had brought. He looked down at the LP and asked me where I had found it. I think he was genuinely stunned (as were the rest of the people he was with). He signed it "Peace and beautiful music..." and gave me a hug. Thanks for Peace and the beautiful music Shuggie....

[yakimonoya]

cool

[xXsamurai36methodsXx]

not to sounds like a Hippie...but i have smoked weed to this song...and this sound gives me nothing but good Vibes. and...and its like my mind is Free. Great upload...my unkle showed me this song a few years back...havent herd it in a min....Good looks on the Upload Mate. B-E-Z

[artistarj]

pure poetry

[jickinda]

Could't agree more. Beautiful, magical song

[nizxbit]

One of the great underrated gems of the golden age of music.

[myrtlered]

wow, what is all this footage from?  who is playing that piano?

[cheonmunka]

Shit that piano player's got long fingers!

[wedgenstein]

I had the distinct honor of playing on a recording session with Shuggie about 10 years back, sat right next to the man as we cut a few tracks for Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne....very unassuming, humble man and great player...can't say enough about what a nice guy he was...thanks for posting this!!

[hotsauceromero]

johnny had a genius for a son-drastically underated for his age when he made this vinyl playing like a pro strawberry letter 23 should be played more often instead of that bubble gum version by the J brothers

[bygyella]

We all love Shuggies Strawberry letter 23, it's the original but, The Brothers Johnson is hardly a bubble gum version. George Johnson is a great player and did an outstanding job on that song. No need to cut them down. They loved the song, laid the track and made it a hit.

[mooglesarerabbits]

@bygyella the way the brothers brought the bass into the cover, pure magic

[goldcoastmm]

@bygyella Shuggie was the Blueprint for many others...Prince comes to mind...Geo.rge Johnson & bro. Louis are NO JOKE...check out their work with Billy Preston & Quincy Jones...as for the Strawberry Letter solo...that was famous session guitarist Lee Ritenour

[NateDFunkt]

yeah, this joint just certainly put me n the clouds not even gonna twist 1 up now...aah who r we kiddin?

still dope nonetheless

[durgatroid]

This is one of those tunes that has had an incredible effect on my life and my music, i love trying to work out the licks. An absolute journey that you wanna take time and time again

[Segantini1899]

very good song remeber me of Pharoah Sanders Spirit

Shuggie is Special Thank you for this

[straightH8trollin]

this is great!

[ivanapreiss]

This guy was so ahead of his time.

A tru talent.

[dansimhal]

word mmmmmmmmmmmm

[rtoriq]

HE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO UNDERRATED!!!!!!!! i have like a top5 echelon of inspirations and you best believe this brotha is one of them! His style of guitar-playing and overall music composition is in a class of it's own...

*sigh* Now if he could only make a comeback album instead of making brief appearances on ppl's albums and then leaving ): (i.e. Mos Def's Blue Black Jack)

-----------

and reflect.

[whiplashchild]

At first ir sounds like the late Hendrix ("moon turn the tides") then it turns into the dark side of the moon ("the great gig in the sky"). Great.

[munchkinmm]

Beautiful piece.

Very Prince-ish........surprised he didn't become more famous or isn't more famous...

[steelydrwu]

I like this. The Video goes good with Freedom Flight. Thanks for your work. More Please.

[kdkjrf]

awesome find. thanks for sharing!