Artist:     Boz Scaggs

Album:     Out Of The Blues

Label:     Concord

Release Date:     07.29.2018

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“Lido Shuffle” must still pay some decent bills. As slick as the song was in 1976, the bold blue soul always behind it rushes to the fore when Boz Scaggs and his band perform it today. Beginning with his 1969 debut, and an iconic take of Fenton Robinson’s “Loan Me a Dime” with Duane Allman going long laying into his guitar, Boz Scaggs has been very much in the blues. Blues lifted by desire in one way or another. The final in a trilogy of “tribute” albums, first to Memphis soul, then early rock ‘n’ roll, and now the blues, Out Of The Blues presents nine ingeniously-sequenced songs, nearly half new. A serious but moving band, anchored by legends Jim Keltner on drums and Willie Weeks on bass, play them with the heat on high. “I was born in the canebrakes; raised up in the lion’s den.” That perfectly succinct definition of a bluesman opens the album in “Rock and Stick,” by the pen of longtime Scaggs partner, Jack Walroth. A jagged edge cuts the song’s blues, and Doyle Bramhall’s guitar and Walroth’s harp haunt it. What a first impression. The skies then open up and the beat feels like sunshine for Don Robey’s “I’ve Just Got to Forget,” the brass a warm breeze. Cleverly, Jimmy McCracklin’s “I’ve Just Got to Know” comes next, lowdown by comparison, although nicely rolling 88s do keep it buoyant. “Little Miss Night and Day” then flat-out rocks and rolls, Scaggs hollering like an angry young John Hiatt, especially when he pulverizes the words “You Better roll with me baby” towards the end. The fragility in Neil Young’s technique on his “On the Beach” still suits its early 1970s hippy nature and time. Boz Scaggs’ rendition turns it into a profoundly soulful blues performed from a place deep in the bones. In fact, Scaggs’ vocal could be Young’s, but with multilayered textures. Scaggs’ voice remains a delectable marvel, its pitch, buttery tone, and passion all stronger perhaps than ever at his 73 years of apparent youth.

A select few of the ageless produce such grand works a half century down the line.

—Tom Clarke