Boz Scaggs releases ‘Detour’, his first new album in seven years

Sometimes, an unexpected detour leads you right where you belong. For legendary vocalist and guitarist, Boz Scaggs, that journey has resulted in ‘Detour’, a captivating and deeply personal exploration of the Great American Songbook, and his first new studio album in seven years. ‘Detour’ finds the Grammy-winner interpreting timeless standards with tender insight and profound emotional sophistication.

The album didn’t begin with a grand plan, but with the simple joy of making music. “I had no intention of making a record when I started singing these songs” Scaggs confesses. “It was all very casual at first, just an opportunity to explore a style of music I’ve always liked, to get together with a friend and play for the sheer joy of it.” That friend is pianist Seth Asarnow and their informal sessions together became the heart of ‘Detour’. What started as a series of personal demos for Scaggs to expand his vocal stylings soon revealed something magical. The performances and arrangements were undeniable, demanding to be shared with the world.

On ‘Detour’, Scaggs puts his essential instrument of full display. “If I look at myself as a musician over the years, I’d have to consider my primary instrument to be my voice” he says. That voice has only gained nuance and depth, evident from the gentle tone of the album opener, Allan Toussaint’s ‘It’s Raining’, to a serene version of ‘The Very Thought Of You’ that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Boz Scaggs has a rich legacy of his own. After a tenure with the Steve Miller Band, he debuted on Atlantic Records with a solo album recorded in Muscle Shoals and featuring a young Duane Allman. His star continued to ascend with a series of acclaimed albums for Columbia, culminating in 1976’s 5x-platinum ‘Silk Degrees’ which made him a household name and included the Grammy-winning ‘Lowdown’. Over six decades, Scaggs has sold millions of records, toured the world, and carved out a distinctive and enduring path that continues to captivate fans.