An Album/Song A Day - Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees

 On his sixth album, Boz Scaggs finally broke through.  Up to 1976 Scaggs could be described as a journeyman.  He played on Steve Miller's first two album in the late 60's, but his solo albums weren't catching on, despite good reviews.  

  Silk Degrees was his most commercial album up to that point.  It's basically an R&B record, with hints of Rock.  I've often said it's the best Blue-Eyed Soul album ever.  Not every singer likes the Blue-Eyed Soul tag.  Daryl Hall hates it.  You either have Soul or you don't, right?  The first time I heard the phrase was when I read up on the Righteous Brothers.  

  It doesn't matter what you call it, for Scaggs the tilt to a more commercial sound paid off. Silk Degrees finally made him a star.  Three future members of Toto played on it.  There were four singles released, with 3 going Top 40.  An album track, "We're All Alone" would go on to be a big hit by Rita Coolidge.  Released in the spring of '76, the album would eventually peak at #2.  Scaggs never matched the albums chart success, but he did go on to make more good music.  And no list of great Blue-Eyed Soul singers is complete with Scaggs on it.  And no list of great albums period should be without Silk Degrees.