Out of the Blues

Released in 2018, Out of the Blues serves as the concluding chapter to a thematic trilogy of roots-oriented albums that began with Memphis (2013) and A Fool to Care (2015). While those earlier records explored a broader range of R&B and soul, this set leans more heavily into Scaggs' formative blues influences. The tracklist is a curated mix of covers - ranging from Bobby 'Blue' Bland to a surprising, atmospheric reimagining of Neil Young's 'On the Beach' - and original compositions by Jack 'Applejack' Walroth. The recording features elite session players like Ray Parker Jr. and Willie Weeks, ensuring a level of technical proficiency that mirrors the 'Silk Degrees' era but with a more grounded, earthy aesthetic. Critically, the album was hailed as a late-career triumph, showcasing Scaggs' enduring ability to blend high-end studio craft with the raw emotionality of the blues. It stands as a testament to his evolution from a 70s pop-soul icon to a sophisticated elder statesman of American roots music.