Detour

Detour is Boz Scaggs first album in seven years. It began as an informal series of demos on which he and pianist Seth Asarnow interpreted some of his favorite standards. They spent a few years casually recording the material with bassist Hans Trowsea, drummer Jason Lewis, multi-instrumentalist Jim Cox, violin and viola player Jeremy Cohen, and guitarists Michael Miller and Ashra Weston. Detour differs from his previous standards outings, 1996s Fade Into Light, 2003s But Beautiful, and 2008s Speak Low. Its less formal, more intimate, and relaxed, whether the songs were made famous by Frank Sinatra, Lonnie Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, or Irma Thomas. It also includes a jazz redo of "Ill Be Long Gone" from his eponymous 1969 debut album. "Its Raining" is a classic NOLA soul ballad composed by Allen Toussaint penned for Thomas. Accompanied by piano, upright bass, and laid-back strings, Scaggs croons but his smooth baritone inhabits the lyric, as if he is the man with the loneliness blues. Revealing the dimension in this classy approach, Scaggs takes on the immortal "Angel Eyes" (written by Earl Brent and Matt Dennis). Its been recorded countless times since the 1930s, the most famous version being Frank Sinatras. Scaggs spacious vocal and bluesy arrangement imparts different shades of meaning. That said, his gorgeous reading of Antonio Carlos Jobims and Vinicius de Moraes "O Amor Em Paz" (Once I Loved) sensually weaves elegant bossa and chamber jazz. Influential early versions were recorded by Joao Gilberto and Elis Regina. It proceeds with an innovative read of Ray Nobles "The Very Thought of You" that borrows from Nat King Coles recording but slides into its own lane thanks to intimate phrasing borrowed from Billie Holiday. Scaggs original recording of "Ill Be Long Gone" was redolent in soul-inflected blues, with a revue-style backing chorus and a rock band. Here, its a jazz ballad with elegant pianism, elastic meter, and ambient space. When Scaggs sings, "Im gonna get up and make my life shine..." it becomes an emotional reverie sans the revved-up horns and guitars. There are many versions of Sam Coslows and Will Groszs "Tomorrow Night;" it was bluesman Lonnie Johnsons signature tune. Scaggs slows it down as strummed guitars and tinkling piano reflect the emotion in the lyrics; and Scaggs digs into them with classy soul. Bobby Troups and Leah Worths "The Meaning of the Blues" has been famously recorded by Julie London and Miles Davis. Scaggs read is highly original in phrasing, shade, and tone; it could easily appear in the soundtrack to a film noir. Closer "Well Be Tgoether Again" was composed by Carl T. Fischer and Frankie Laine; its definitive version is by Tony Bennett. Scaggs begins reverently, then unveils the core of his iconic talent as a jazz-blues singer yet completely retains the songs trademark grace. Detour is easily Scaggs definitive standards outing. While its charts are basic, the songs deliberately lean into his changing, yet still phenomenal voice and iconic phrasing. The depth of his interpretations here is unmatched in the 21st century. ~ Thom Jurek

近年はブルースやリズム&ブルース方面へのルーツ探求が続いていたボズですが、この7年ぶりのニュー・アルバムは17年ぶりとなるジャズ・アルバム。スモーキーな歌声を燻らせて自身が影響を受けてきたスタンダードを洗練された洒脱なアレンジと共に歌っています。69年のデビュー作で発表した"I'll Be Long Gone"のセルフ・カヴァーも円熟味たっぷりで粋に披露。
bounce (C)大原かおり