"In 1976, "Silk Degrees" ruled the airwaves with good reason: Tight arrangements, smooth melodies, and one of the best jazz vocalists ever to grace the bay area! Flash to 1988, and this attempted "Comeback" album. The wondrous voice remains intact, the rest is missing in action. While several outstanding musical talents perform yeoman duties here - with Marcus Miller and Bobby Caldwell topping the list - most of the songs are forgettable, and the arangements often ovewhelm Boz's vocals. Two songs here save this from being a 1-star release: "Heart Of Mine" and "Cool Running." "Heart Of Mine" is the perfect accompanient for anyone walking along the waterfront while doing a post-mortem on a recently failed relationship. The melody is simple and wistful, the arrangement subdued. "Cool Running" is the polar opposite: an exhilirating blast of total attitude married to a note-perfect Marcus Miller bass line and arangement. I often wonder what a whole album of music this great would sound like, and if it could surpass "Silk Degres." Worth buying, but not NEARLY what this man is capable of!"
"Other Roads"
C. Nale | Willowbrook, IL | 08/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are truly a fan of Boz Scaggs, you'll like this cd. I purchased it solely for "Heart of Mine," a song that I have loved since it first came out in the 80's, after seeing Boz's video for this hit. I admit I did not recognize the other song titles when I purchased the cd; however, I decided to take a chance on this one considering how much I like Boz's "Hits!" I was not disappointed in "Other Roads." It's kind of jazzy and is one of those cd's you can have on in the background while you're entertaining, cleaning the house, or just relaxing!"
Free to be 'Boz'
Cath | St. Louis, MO United States | 08/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Other Roads" shows Boz Scaggs' amazing versatility as an artist. He pours his soul -- not to mention his one-of-a-kind vocals -- into rock, blues, pop and jazz, to make a music that is uniquely his. Like ballads? "Heart of Mine" is a classic. If you're more into fusion, the tight, funky guitar and keyboard instrumentals in "Mental Shakedown" and "Crimes of Passion" will definitely get your attention. Each track on this album explores melody, lyrics and arrangement for a very satisfying listen. Boz freely ventures down 'other roads,' and lucky us ... we get to go along and see the musical stuff he's made of."
Boz Scagg's Fanatic!!!
Anne M. Turner | Beloit Ohio | 11/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I listened to this Cd & my 2 favorite songs from this Cd are Heart of Mine & Claudia. My other 2 Favorite album's are Down To Then Left. & Silk Degree's. I just started listening to his music 2year's ago. My boyfriend has been listening to his music since 1976 & has seen him in concert at Blossom Music Center in June 1978."
Competent, even excellent in spots
Jack E. Stoudenmire Jr. | Tampa, FL, USA | 12/17/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a very solid album (CD, sorry, showing my age).
"Heart Of Mine" is perhaps my favorite song of the 80s, and that's saying something. "Right Out Of My Head" is provocative, and all the song are evocative.
Trouble is, they tend -- notice, *tend* -- to become 80s-ish and no more. Many of the cuts on this CD could have fit nicely under the closing credits to B-flicks (and did, for all I know).
Not to say these are not excellent tunes, well-produced and sung by one of the finest singer-songwriters of the latter 20th century. Just don't expect more than extreme competence.