Customer Reviews

Boz Scaggs-Hits

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Hits" shows that Boz Scaggs was ahead of his time. Like his Gaelic counterpart, Van Morrison (and, to a lesser degree, Englishman Robert Palmer), Scaggs saw spiritual power in jazz, R&B, and Southern soul. (His first album, featuring Duane Allman's legendary solo on "Loan Me A Dime," testifies to this.)

But Scaggs' hits included here from 1976's "Silk Degrees" (Top 10s "Lowdown," and "Lido Shuffle," "We're All Alone,") saw him polish classic soul vocals with smooth, cool California jazz funk, helped by members of the band that eventually became Toto. The result was not only lyrical versions of the era's soul/disco, but accessible, sensual variations on Steely Dan's obtuse song structure. (This wasn't lost on the producers of "Saturday Night Fever," who wanted "Lowdown" on that film's soundtrack. It was denied them, promised to another seminal 70s film, "Looking For Mr. Goodbar," and cost Scaggs more than $1 million in royalties.)

The "Silk Degrees" songs highlight "Hits," but are best heard in the context of that essential album. "Hits" is worthwhile for 1980's jumpy Top 10 "Breakown Dead Ahead" and "Jojo" (both featuring Ray Parker Jr. on guitar) , the elegant "Look What You've Done To Me" (with members of the Eagles, from "Urban Cowboy") and the early Muscle Shoals hit "Dinah Flo." (Sadly, nothing from Scaggs' "Silk Degrees" followup, "Down Two Then Left," is included.) While "Hits" will do for casual fans, longtime listeners may be better suited to the original LPs or the 2CD "My Time" anthology, both which show Scaggs' artistic depth and growth even into the 1990s.

After starting out as a member of the original Steve Miller Band, Boz Scaggs embarked on a solo career in the 1970s that culminated with his massive 1976 hit album "Silk Degrees." He went on to record another hit in 1980 before essentially disappearing from view. Not surprising then that songs from "Silk Degrees" dominate "Hits." The romantic ballad "We're All Alone," the funky "Lowdown," and the relatively rocking "Lido Shuffle" were all staples of mid-70s rock radio alongside Fleetwood Mac and The Doobie Brothers. Of the remaining seven songs, "Breakdown Dead Ahead" was the biggest hit and "Dinah Flo" is a burning rocker.

Taken as a whole, the ten tracks on "Hits" are probably all the Boz Scaggs music most casual fans will ever need to own.

I have loved Boz' music since the early 80's and recently went through old albums and tried to find CD's of all my old favorites. After getting my new Cd of Hits, I sat in my car in my work parking lot and couldn't get out. I was very late for work that morning ! Boz just does it to me !

BOZ SCAGGS-HITS: Smooth n' smokey white soul crooner Boz Scaggs' first hit compilation is a frugal ten cuts, touching on only enough crucial bases for the most casual fan. The cream of session players are on board, including Dennis Coffey, Pete Carr, and most of Toto, while Boz is no slouch himself on a six string. You get the sophisticated, perfect pop biggies LOWDOWN and LIDO SHUFFLE from his mighty breakthrough disc SILK DEGREES, plus the funk-ringed later hits JOJO and MISS SUN. There's also a couple of Scaggs' earthy, early cult classics like DINAH FLO and YOU MAKE IT SO HARD (TO SAY NO), but unfortunately LOAN ME A DIME, his twelve minute blooze-drenched jam with slide guitar maestro Duane Allman is missing in action here. For that epic, and other tone-cool RNB diamonds, true fans will want to move on up to the more recent double disc anthology MY TIME, over thirty tracks that clearly explain why BOZ was always the boss.

RATING: FOUR BLUE EYED SOULS

Sure, the record company could have added more songs for the CD release, but with the price, you get some amazing songs. "Look What You've Done to Me" from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack is present, as are great late 70's hits like "Miss Sun" and "Jojo," which both have grooves to die for. Of course, you couldn't have a greatest hits of Boz without some great "Silk Degrees" cuts, and you have the required "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" as well as his greatest ballad, "We're All Alone." If you've heard a song by Boz on the radio that you like, this collection would be a good place to dip your foot in the Boz pool.

No disappointments here, just pure Boz. There is not one average song on this CD. If you have to buy a "Best of" album of Boz Scaggs, then get this one. The recording quality is very good without any harshness or grittiness from the amalog to digital transfer. This is just the album to put on when you want to relax and groove on some good sounds. A must have!

Here are ten great tunes,some written or co-written by William Royce "Boz" Scaggs,and possibly,written by others. One that I love is his personal composition,WE'RE ALL ALONE from 1976's SILK DEGREES which was later covered by Rita Coolidge. Another SD hit is LOWDOWN,which has a touch of disco. From 1980's MIDDLE MAN are JOJO and BREAKDOWN DEAD AHEAD(this album followed several months after the March 1980 release of MM). LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME is from the URBAN COWBOY movie soundtrack which was distibuted on the Asylum label,also released in '80(the 1995 CD re-issue was distributed by the defunct Asylum's sister label Elektra). Jazz-flavored MISS SUN is an original track. I like LIDO SHUFFLE,also from SD. The other songs are great.

Lois, you're looking for Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen," which features the lyrics

The Cuervo Gold
The fine Columbian
Make tonight a wonderful thing

A great cd. Boz has a rather unique voice with a good range-very soulful. GREAT BLUE EYED SOUL. Leaving the steve miller band was a good move for Boz. Steve Miller Band did very well themselves. I recommened this cd to everyone.

It's a 70s nostalgia trip all the way as the Boz wraps his velvet tongue around exquisite little ballad-poems like Lowdown and We're All Alone. Just to prove he can rock, there's also the uptempo Breakdown Dead Ahead and Lido Shuffle, while Jo Jo is the best example of his melodic funk. A delicious synthesis of styles.