Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits Live

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fair disclosure: I'm a huge Boz fan, have been since the '60s. But it's also true that some Boz is better than others.

This is the CD I've been hoping for since "Silk Degrees." It definitley deserves the most truthful titled CD of the year. It's his "greatest," featuring his "hits," and the "live" element reworks the songs in exciting new presentations.

Boz is the yardstick blue-eyed soul is measured by. He directly influenced Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Robert Palmer and others. This CD validates his rightful position amongst the great r&b/soul artists such as Ray Charles and Van Morrison.

It's a must-have set. 16 songs, and I couldn't live without a single one of 'em. Admitedly I'm being greedy, still I'd've loved a couple more personal favorites such as "What Do you Want The Girl To Do" and "It All Went Down the Drain." But I can't imagine discarding anything on the CD to include them.

Last year's "Standards" exposed Boz to countless new fans and placed him atop the jazz charts. Hopefully they'll now dive into his worthy catalogue to discover the scope and depth of his work. Not many artists have made it to the top of the rock, pop and jazz charts in a career. There's a good reason why they don't but Boz did, and that answer is found on this CD.

The band is top-notch, obviously well rehearsed, yet performs fresh and loose. The production is pristine yet not slick studio-sterile. Contributing to the overall class (there's a word that describes Boz!) is the subtle packaging. Look closely how it all ties together -- closed, open or folded -- and you'll see what I mean. No detail is too small to be less-than-perfect here.

Last night was a beautiful late-August full moon. My wife and I sat outside and just listened to Boz. We couldn't imagine a more perfect setting, other than the one for those lucky enough to have attended the concert.

In summary, I sure hope we get a "Volume Two Live." Boz has enough quality material, and nobody can get too much of something this good.

This is excellent Boz Scaggs. His reprise of oldies is not only technically better but the renderings are far more articulate and wonderfully sung and orchestrated than the originals. Boz's voice is now mature and his styling is better than ever. If you're a Boz fan and liked the originals, you'll love the new renditions of your old favorites. Great album.

This is an outstanding CD. I've listed to Boz evolve vocally since his Steve Miller days and he's at his best here. He's taken hits from most of his past records and performs them in this live concert version and made them even better. This is a 2-CD set, but I wish there more. I also bought the DVD of this concert, which is excellent, and includes backstage footage of Boz and the band and a photo gallery. Boz is a truly gifted artist and I would recommend this to everyone.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF HIS MUSIC, BUT I HAD NEVER HEARD THE MAN PERFORM LIVE. BOZ SCAGGS STILL HAS IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. THE BAND IS GREAT. I HAVE ALREADY RECOMMENDED THE CD TO SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS. ONE OF THE BEST LIVE CD'S I HAVE EVER HEARD.

Boz Scaggs is cooler than Van Morrison although the latter seems to be more recognized. A wonderful album of his standards. Listening to Harbor Lights and We're All alone gave me goose bumps.

This double set really is something special. For those who knew these songs in their younger years, the material will bring back many memories. More importantly, the musice seems ageless and vital, as it's rooted in the blues. Boz sounds older - don't we all - but the sacrifices in the upper register of his voice is more than made up for in the gravelly delta bluesiness in his delivery. Audiophiles take note: this set features terrific sound, and gorgeous soundstaging. I've enjoyed it so much, I'm following the advice of the revewers of the DVD set and purcahsing that disc too. Indulge in this guilt pleasure - this is music for the ages.

I don't know why it is, but until recently I hadn't owned any live albums by Boz Scaggs. 'Silk Degrees' is, of course, a classic, and everything he's done from 'Some Change' onwards has been terrific. I recently bought the excellent remastered version of 'Silk Degrees', and was very impressed by the three live bonus tracks. This led me to buy this 2CD live set dating from 2004.

And I have to say it is a revelation. Scaggs and the band are far more jazz-flavoured live than on many of the studio albums. The five songs originating from 'Silk Degrees' are excellent, but a big surprise here was to find myself really liking some tracks I didn't particular enjoy in their original studio format.

The best tracks on Disc 1, for me, are 'It All Went Down the Drain' and 'Ask Me Bout Nothin But the Blues', though it should be stressed that the overall quality is remarkably consistent. The second disc is even better than the first. 'Runnin Blue' is an excellent eleven-minute epic, and my favourite track of the lot is 'Loan Me A Dime' - the studio version (with the legendary Duane Allman on guitar) is a very hard act to follow, but Boz and the band deliver an excellent (and even longer -almost sixteen minute) version of the song here.

Throughout this live set, Scaggs and the band are on top form. I particularly liked Drew Zingg's guitar work, and the trumpet and sax contributions, too, work really well. All in all, a real top-flight album. I can't recommend it too strongly!

This album (all comments apply to the DVD, too) covers his "greatest hits," certainly, but does something else just as effectively--it displays the fact that Boz is a master arranger and band leader. It's not luck that makes a band sound silky smooth, punchy, and soulful at the same time--it's major talent, decades of experience, and hard work.

Of course, great songs--played with tight, driving rhythms, solid brass, virtuosity on the melodies and solos (without being guitar frenzy)--all supporting Boz's warm, melancholic voice and backing vocalists (who are not in the least "background.")

If you love music, buy this. If you think you love music, but only listen to what passes for it on the pop stations, buy this. If you've never heard music and are curious, buy this.

One weekend night, when you have your significant other(s) around, open some wine, put this on the stereo (*don't* rip and compress this one), and turn it up. You'll dance, you'll sing along (if you're a 'certain age') and you'll be sad when it's over. You'll probably play it twice. And it may change what you define as "music."

After hearing one cut (Spare a Dime) on a local station, I knew I needed this CD. I know this sounds strong and I don't ever make purchases like this but I'm delighted to have made an exception. This may be one of the best live collections I've ever heard and I never tire of it. The sheer breadth of emotions that are sung and the talent exhibited make this one I will always keep and listen to.

If you love Boz, you'll love this trip down memory lane. The band is incredible. Once you've listened to the CD YOU MUST get the live video of this evening. Put it on your big screen, sit back, and enjoy a great concert, in an intimate setting, with Boz doing what he does best!