Boz Scaggs - But Beautiful Standards Volume 1 (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

A Match Made In Music Heaven!

Mike King | Taunton, MA United States | 05/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many rock singers have released albums of standards with varying degrees of success. Where Nelson Riddle's big band arrangement perfectly suited Linda Ronstadt, who belted out the song "What's New?" for all she's worth, the small jazz combo backing Boz Scaggs perfectly suits his laid back vocals on that song. He sings the classic "Sophisticated Lady" as though Duke Ellington had written it for him to perform. Boz sings "For All We Know" with a world weariness that perfectly matches the mood of the lyrics. "So love me tonight; tomorrow was made for some. Tomorrow may never come, for all we know." No singer's voice is better suited to singing standards than Boz Scaggs. The musicians backing him are superb and the production is perfect. The subtitle of this album is Standards, Volume One. Personally, I can't wait to hear Volume Two!"

The Title Says It All

Lars | San Francisco, CA USA | 06/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jennifer Simpson, a big Boz Scaggs fan, wants to know what I think of his latest CD, But Beautiful. Here, Boz breaks away from his rock and blues menu and gets into jazz and American standards. Wait a minute - he's copying Larry Ching (the artist whose CD I just produced)! Thing is, Boz has always traversed the great American musical landscape, from blues and soul to country and rock to jazz and pop. On Fade Into Light, a 1996 CD released in Japan, he did a gorgeous version of "Harbor Lights." And in recent years, he's captivated audiences with a silky reading of "My Funny Valentine." Unfortunately, that chestnut is not in this collection, but "What's New," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "Sophisticated Lady," and a lucky seven others, are filtered through the singular Scaggs voice. If you've dug Boz through the years, and understand that, in a sense, he's always been a jazzer-improvisational, eclectic, spare, and capable of making the voice a musical instrument, part of the ensemble-you'll find the new recording a little different. But beautiful. --from my column at asianconnections.com"

Classy crooning

William Merrill | San Antonio, TX United States | 05/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Boz Scaggs' first album of standards and he handles them well. He's backed by a straight-ahead jazz quartet led by pianist Paul Nagel. They perform skillfully enough, but the proper center of attention is Boz, whose lithe and graceful singing glides over the notes. The arrangements feel relatively conventional, but are actually daring in subtle ways, such as the hint of bossa nova on "Never Let Me Go" and the soft yet fast and steady percussion that carries through "But Beautiful." The sound quality is superb on this recording -- Boz sounds like he's singing right in the room with you. As far as pop singers doing the jazz standard thing, Boz performs naturally and convincingly. His phrasing is deluxe, and the song selection is well suited to his talents. I especially like the versions of "Sophisticated Lady" and "I Should Care." There are many others I can name who completed the crossing much less successfully. I will be glad when his next rock/pop CD comes out, but this is an entirely pleasing collection in the interim. Hard core jazz vocal fans should give it a try too. If a Volume 2 ever comes out, I'll buy it too."

In the Dictionary under "Mellow"

TruBlonde | a hill high above San Francisco Bay | 09/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boz Scaggs applies his considerable and unique vocals skills to this warm collection of classic tunes in a way that gives one a new appreciation for his musical range. He sounds quite comfortable, thank you, with the talented musicians who wander with him through these clever and inspired arrangements. In paticular, I love his tone of wise, world-weariness in "Sophisticated Lady." Perfect to relax to at the end of a long day or to enjoy by the fire on an autumn afternoon, this is one of those CDs that brings a fresh discovery with each listening. I dare you to get through the first three tracks without kicking off your shoes, laying back on the couch and enjoying the sunset. Believe me, I've tried. It can't be done. Just sit back and enjoy this relaxed, jazzy drive. Nice work, Mr. Scaggs et al and thank you. More like this, please!"

Boz has graced us with a beauty.

J. Niss | Western Mass | 05/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is great, and gets better with every listen. If you don't love jazz, and standards, then maybe get your Boz elsewhere, but if you do: get this today.
Boz's vocals sound natural (and mellow). As in all really good jazz interpretations he stretches subtly in many moments, and keeps it VERY personal. Because of this I heard a lot of the lyrics anew. These are now among my favourite versions of these songs. Oh, and the PLAYING is so fine: I can't wait to hear these guys live, with or without Boz. hope this is vol 1 of many."

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	Boz Scaggs But Beautiful, Standards: Volume 1 Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Broadway & Vocalists Track Listings (10) - Disc #1 What's New Never Let Me Go How Long Has This Been Going On? Sophisticated Lady But Beautiful Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Easy Living I Should Care You Don't Know What Love Is For All We Know
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