Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees (Friday Music)
Boz Scaggs - Vocals, guitar [click here to see more vinyl featuring Boz Scaggs]
David Paich (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums), David Hungate (bass), Fred Tackett (guitar), Louis Shelton (guitar)
Arranged by David Paich
1 LP, gatefold sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press :
Label : Friday Music
Original Label : Columbia
Recorded at Los Angeles at Davlen Sound Studios & Hollywood Sound by Tom Perry
Produced by Joe Wissert
Remastered by Joe Reagoso & Kevin Gray From Original Columbia Records Tapes
Originally released in 1976
Reissued in 2010
Tracks:
Side A :
2. Georgia
3. Jump Street
4. What Do You Want the Girl To Do
5. Harbor Lights
Side B :
2. It's Over
3. Love Me Tomorrow
4. Lido Shuffle
5. We're All Alone
Reviews:
« Both artistically and commercially, Boz Scaggs had his greatest success with Silk Degrees. The laid-back singer hit the R&B charts in a big way with the addictive, sly "Lowdown" (which has been sampled by more than a few rappers and remains a favorite among baby-boomer soul fans) and expressed his love of smooth soul music almost as well on the appealing "What Can I Say." But Scaggs was essentially a pop/rocker, and in that area he has a considerable amount of fun on "Lido Shuffle" (another major hit single), "What Do You Want the Girl to Do," and "Jump Street." Meanwhile, "We're All Alone" and "Harbor Lights" became staples on adult contemporary radio. Though not remarkable, the ballads have more heart than most of the bland material dominating that format. » AllMusic Review by Alex Henderson
Boz Scaggs is a unique and marvellous singer. His soulful voice can be, in turn, silky-smooth and sensual or funky and upbeat, depending on the material, but it is always compelling. This voice comes through superbly on the ten great tunes featured on "Silk Degrees".
Scaggs, a solid composer in its own right, wrote three tracks on his own, co-wrote five more with David Paich. Paich contributed the delightful "Love Me Tomorrow" by himself while the remaining tune is a cover of Allen Toussaint's excellent "What Do You Want the Girl to Do".
The production is very slick and sophisticated thanks to the arrangements by future Toto's keyboardist David Paich, to the orchestral direction (strings and brass) by Sid Sharp, to the soulful back-up vocals and to the sheer artistry of all the musicians involved.
Stylistically, the compositions are a nice blend of Philly soul influenced pop and rock.
A classic of elegant, well crafted music.
Ratings :
AllMusic : 5 / 5 , Discogs : 4 / 5