Music review: Boz Scaggs – 鈥極ut of the Blues鈥�
With a career that began over 50 years ago, Boz Scaggs continues to deliver impactful albums that leave a lasting impression.
The 74-year-old鈥檚 latest effort is a satisfying listen that serves as the third and final installment of blues and soul releases filled with the sounds that influenced his musical direction.
While 2013鈥檚 鈥淢emphis鈥� and 2015鈥檚 鈥淎 Fool to Care鈥� are really strong releases, I always find myself going back to 1997鈥檚 鈥淐ome On Home鈥� as one of my personal favorite Scaggs鈥� albums with memorable tracks like 鈥淚鈥檝e Got Your Love鈥� and 鈥淕oodnight Louise.鈥�
鈥淥ut of the Blues鈥� is a smooth, sophisticated and timeless journey that Scaggs treats with sincere love and respect.
From the slick grooves of the intoxicating opener 鈥淩ock and Stick鈥� to the stinging message of the closer 鈥淭he Feeling Is Gone,鈥� Scaggs flawlessly leads a stirring set of tracks consisting of covers and a handful of originals penned by longtime friend Jack Walroth.
The album features quality performances by bassist Willie Weeks, drummer Jim Keltner, keyboardist Jim Cox and guitarists Doyle Bramhall II, Ray Parker Jr. and Charlie Sexton.
Highlights include a simmering cover of Jimmy McCracklin鈥檚 鈥淚鈥檝e Just Got to Know,鈥� a passionate performance of Don Robey鈥檚 鈥淚鈥檝e Just Got to Forget You鈥� and the Chuck Berry-sounding 鈥淟ittle Miss Night and Day,鈥� co-written by Scaggs and Walroth.
Scaggs surprises fans with a haunting version of Neil Young鈥檚 鈥淥n the Beach鈥� as he sings, 鈥淭he world is turning/I hope it don鈥檛 turn away.鈥� Scaggs does a masterful job in conveying the pain and isolation found in trying to escape the problems of the day.
Scaggs has proven that he鈥檚 in a league all his own. And yet, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction still eludes him.
I鈥檝e seen Scaggs perform twice before. And you can bet that I鈥檒l make it a third time as I get the 鈥淟owdown鈥� when Scaggs makes a local appearance at the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall in Munhall on Nov. 6.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.