It was one of the great albums of the 70s and is comfortably ensconced in my all-time Top 10. It was impossible to categorize because it rocked, it swayed, it boogied, it crooned, it jazzed and I think it even salsa-d a little.
"It" was Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs.
Say it with me: Boz...Scaggs. Every guy reading this wishes his name was half as cool. If he wasn't a musician, he'd have to be an old-time baseball player - maybe Mordecai "Three Fingers" Brown's catcher.
I've selected three tunes from that album, all written by Scaggs. I suspect all three will be familiar to old-timers. And I hope some young ears become attuned to a fine, underrated musician.
Let's open with a live version of Lido Shuffle, performed under less than ideal conditions (looks pretty darn cold) at Japan's Expo in 1985.
If I had a buck for every time this next song was played as the newlywed's first dance at weddings - I'd have a lotta bucks. It's a beautiful song, made famous when Rita Coolidge covered it. But I like Boz's take on it better. He flat-out nails it in this next clip.
The biggest kick I get out of this gig is finding out that musicians I loved way back when are still out there, playing their stuff in front of live audiences. It's a treat to see a 60-year-old Boz, still stylin', still way-cool, from a performance a few years back.
Thanks to HOJIRON, SK3776 and darylhsu for the vids.
Silk Degrees is one of my all-time favorites. It still as fresh to listen to today as when it was released in the 70's. One of the things I really loved was the Moshe Brakha cover photo.
ReplyDeleteNo more appropriate use of the word "cool" exists.
ReplyDeleteAll hail the mighty Boz! Fine choice, Frank, a great album by a great artist. It brings back so many memories of my youth whenever I listen to it. Like the looks my hard-rocker friends would give me whenever they caught me trying to learn the guitar solo from "Lowdown" ... gotta go, my guitar beckons.... :)
ReplyDeleteOh no.. you're going to try to make me call you "The Boz" again, aren't you? ;) "Mr. Scaggs" is out too!
ReplyDeleteLido and Lowdown are two of the most overplayed cuts in radio history. Every time I hear them come on, I groan. But then I get sucked in one more time. Takes talent to make people love listening to things they're tired of hearing. I heard that Wade Boggs told Levi Stubbs that Boz Scaggs liked Flatt and Scruggs. I also once shared a hospital room with a guy named Russell Russell Russell. That one is actually true. Names are weird, and I'm living proof.
ReplyDeleteBoz is way cool. I saw him @ 1978, he put on a suave performance. He was a handsome guy; I bet his farts don't stink. I wonder what Cay thinks?;)
ReplyDeleteYou better collect a quarter from Theresa and Evan.
I agree, Steve. That album scored on every level.
ReplyDeleteI won't argue with you, mymamasara. (I'll just whisper a couple of words...David Bowie...yeah, close call.) ;)
Charlie, I'm not surprised you'd appreciate the musicianship. :)
Hil, just "Boz" would be fine. No need for formality. :)
You are indeed, Cay. Boz didn't get that kind of oversaturated airplay this side of the border.
I didn't know you'd seen him, Lisa. Nifty. Now what's this about a quarter?
Thanks all, for taking the time to visit, listen, and say a few words. :)
would you believe I never heard Boz do 'we're all alone' before!!
ReplyDeleteand I thought rita's version was the one
he does nail it
I love how you said if not a musician then a ball player :)
I always thought it was a great sports name
Bugs me when people pronounce Boz as Boss
Missed this somehow, Dianne. Sorry. Thanks for the visit. :)
ReplyDeleteI got to see Boz play twice during the 70s...what an amazing voice the guy has!
ReplyDeleteI envy you, bassman. Thanks for the note.
ReplyDeleteOne of my old time favorite artist, great choice!
ReplyDelete