Out of the Blues (album) explained

Out of the Blues
Type:Album
Artist:Boz Scaggs
Border:yes
Released:July 27, 2018
Recorded:2018
Studio:Sunset Sound (Hollywood, California)
Genre:Blues, rock, rhythm and blues
Length:39:34 (standard edition)
Label:Concord Records
Producer:Boz Scaggs [1]
  • Chris Tabarez (co-producer)
  • Michael Rodriguez (co-producer)
Prev Title:A Fool to Care
Prev Year:2015

Out of the Blues is the nineteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs.[2] The album, a mixture of vintage classics and four original compositions by close friend Jack "Applejack" Walroth, is the last in a trilogy that began with 2013's Memphis and continued with 2015's A Fool to Care.[3] The album contains songs by blues musicians including Bobby "Blue" Bland, Jimmy Reed, Magic Sam, and Neil Young. It was released on July 27, 2018, on Concord Records. It reached number one on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart.[4]

Critical reception

The Associated Press writes, "Sometimes with more gloss, at times with more grit, but always with great feeling, Boz Scaggs has kept some form of the blues close to the surface during most of his career, which has already sailed past the 50-year milestone."[5]

Something Else writes that Scaggs is, "three for three. Long past the hit-making phenomena of the Silk Degrees years, Scaggs is still providing some very good reasons to keep listening to him."[6]

Charles Donovan on Pop Matters writes, "Despite its title, on Out of the Blues, Scaggs actually takes the listener back into the blues. For the third time in a row, he deftly avoids the pitfalls of making these sorts of albums by selecting unpredictable material. In fact, almost half the album is made up of new songs written by musician/friend, Jack Walroth."[7] He continues, "The Walroth material absolutely sparkles, with 'Rock and Stick,' the album opener, having the heat and smoothness of a sports car in the sun, and the kind of groove that will satisfy fans of Silk Degrees. Scagg's voice is affected by age but not to its detriment. It's the same voice with rougher edges, and rougher edges only serve to enhance this kind of music."

Track listing

Target exclusive bonus tracks[8]
  • Japan issue bonus tracks[9]
  • Personnel

    Production

    Chart positions

    ChartPeak
    position
    Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)163
    Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)105
    Scottish Albums (OCC)59
    US Billboard Blues Albums[11] 1

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Boz Scaggs Goes Into and 'Out of the Blues'. 24 July 2018. Popmatters.com. 8 August 2018.
    2. Web site: Billboard. Billboard.com. 8 August 2018.
    3. Web site: Rock and Blues Muse. Rockandbluesmuse.com. 8 August 2018.
    4. Web site: Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart. Billboard.com. 8 August 2018.
    5. Web site: Associated Press. https://web.archive.org/web/20180726105709/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-boz-scaggs-revisits-influences-on-out-of-the-blues/2018/07/25/4964b7e8-9041-11e8-ae59-01880eac5f1d_story.html. dead. 26 July 2018. WashingtonPost.com. 8 August 2018.
    6. Web site: Something Else. Somethingelsereviews.com. 8 August 2018.
    7. Web site: Pop Matters. Popmatters.com. 8 August 2018.
    8. Web site: Boz Scaggs - Out Of The Blues (Target Exclusive). Target.com. 8 August 2018.
    9. Web site: Boz Scaggs - Out Of The Blues. store.universal-music.co.jp. 31 August 2018.
    10. Web site: Out of the Blues - Boz Scaggs - Credits - AllMusic. AllMusic. 8 August 2018.
    11. News: Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart. Billboard. 2018-11-02.