Out Of The Blues

Boz Scaggs will release a new studio album titled Out of the Blues on July 27. The nine-track collection features covers of select vintage blues and R&B songs, as well as four tunes penned by his Scaggs’ longtime friend Jack Walroth, one of which he co-wrote.

In addition, the album includes a rendition of the 1974 Neil Young song “On the Beach.”

Scaggs co-produced Out of the Blues and contributed rhythm guitar, bass and vocoder to the album, in addition to lead vocals. Other musicians featured on the tracks include such respected session players as guitarists Doyle Bramhall II, Ray Parker Jr. and Charlie Sexton; bassist Willie Weeks; drummer Jim Keltner; and keyboardist Jim Cox, while Walroth lends his harmonica talents to some tunes.

The album’s soulful lead track, the Walroth-penned “Rock and Stick,” premiered Thursday on Billboard.com, and you also can listen to it at Scaggs’ official YouTube channel.

Boz considers Out of the Blues the third in a trilogy of albums — following 2013’s Memphis and 2015’s A Fool to Care — celebrating the music that first influenced and inspired him.

The pop-rock veteran tells Billboard that his next album or two likely will feature more original compositions.

“Over the last several years while this [trilogy] has come together I’ve been accumulating other music,” he reveals. “I’ve written more songs on my own. I have a little backlog of things I think will probably include in the next one or two projects.”

Scaggs has a bevy of concerts lined up this year in support of the upcoming album. Visit BozScaggs.com to check out his schedule.

Here’s the Out of the Blues track list, along with the writers of the songs:

“Rock and Stick” (Jack Walroth)
“I’ve Just Got to Forget You” (Don Deadric Robey)
“I’ve Just Got to Know” (Jimmy McCracklin)
“Radiator 110” (Jack Walroth)
“Little Miss Night and Day” (Boz Scaggs-Jack Walroth)
“On the Beach” (Neil Young)
“Down in Virginia” (Jimmy Reed-Manny Reed)
“Those Lies” (Jack Walroth)
“The Feeling Is Gone” (Don Deadric Robey)

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