Boz Scaggs: Lost & Found

As lead guitarist for the Steve Miller Band, Boz Scaggs appeared on both "Children Of The Future" and "Sailor." In 1968, he signed with Atlantic Records and released his major label solo debut recorded in Muscle Shoals. Boz Scaggs was a major part of three of the coolest records of the 60's.

In 1976, "Silk Degrees" became a colossal smash; a hybrid of funk, soul and disco and one of the coolest records of the 70's, appealing to just about everyone.

In the 80's, Boz took a break, releasing only two records, neither of which was spectacular, though in retrospect, both had some solid material.

But that's not why I am here.

Through sheer happenstance, I found out that two of my favorite CDs of the 90's had both been reissued on vinyl for the first time in 2012.  "Some Change" and "Come On Home," both by Boz Scaggs, were records that seemed to come and go in 1994 and 1997 respectively, at a time when few were paying attention to Mr. Scaggs. The former, a set of originals feeling like an updated and matured version of "Silk Degrees," recorded by Boz and the great timekeeper, Ricky Fataar, with both playing everything, save a horn or a keyboard, here and there. The latter, a sharp collection of R&B and soul covers, created with some of the best guys in the business, including "Hutch" Hutchinson, Jim Keltner, Fred Tackett, and the aforementioned Ricky Fataar. Horns arrangements were handled by the legendary Willie Mitchell.

I played both of these records to death when they were released and I've been wearing out the grooves of the vinyl copies I recently acquired, still finding both to be near-perfect records.

Below, you will find both Boz's version of the title track, as well as the original, for good measure, which was written by Willie Mitchell and released as a Syl Johnson b-side. But the track above, is the catalyst for this whole post.

"Lost It" is a Scaggs original that quite frankly, tears me up. This is a heart-rending ballad, beautifully sung, with an arrangement that seems to ride perfectly in that sad, soulful groove without ever crossing the line into schmaltz.

I've been thinking about this song because I had been thinking about an idea that a reader suggested last year. I don't recall how he described it specifically, but it had to do with songs that break your heart, or favorite ballads, or something that had to do with music and tears. "Lost It," is without question, one that does it to me every time.