West Texans have a chance to see musician Boz Skaggs in a concert tour that supports his latest release Out of the Blues.
The album, which dropped a little less than a year ago, was well-reviewed by music publications.
Blues Blast magazine praised the work. “Through nine tracks, Boz Scaggs makes it clear that he has retained his love for all the sounds that captured his imagination all those years ago. With an exceptional group of musicians bringing his vision to life, his latest is both a fitting tribute and a damn fine, rocking affair that is sure to get plenty or listens. Highly recommended!”
Likewise rockandbluesmuse.com called it one of last summer’s best releases. “Boz Scaggs’ self-produced Out of the Blues (Concord Records,) proves that the venerable blues/soul man still has what it takes to make music lovers sit up and pay attention.”
The work also earned Scaggs a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Scaggs has had a storied career that started with learning guitar at the tender age of 12.
Scaggs would soon meet Steve Miller and become the vocalist for Miller’s band, The Marksmen, according to his website at bozscaggs.com.
In 1976, he and other musicians would meet and later form Tot.
They recorded the smash hit album “Silk Degrees,” which reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts and No. 1 in a number of countries across the world, spawning three hit singles: “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle” and “What Can I Say” as well as “We’re All Alone.”
Via his website, Scaggs reflects on his long career.
“I’m at a point where I’m having a lot of fun with music, more than ever,” he said. “It’s like I’m just going wherever I want to go with it.”
Scaggs will perform all his hit songs and more at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center Tuesday.
His work continues to resonate with critics and fans. NPR in 2018 declared “…through the years, he’s also been crafting jazz and blues albums in homage to his earliest influences. His new album Out of the Blues is a continuation of that practice, capping off an unofficial trilogy of albums that channel his upbringing in Oklahoma and Texas while listening to blues and early rock and roll.”
