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Lowdown: The Music of Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs has always been a musical artist of complexity.
Scaggs founded his connection to music through the blues, but his lasting legacy is one of glamorous and romantic pop songwriting. He possessed a somewhat shy and sensitive demeanor never totally at home in the public eye, yet his claim to several chart-topping singles and albums, particularly the millions-selling and critically acclaimed Silk Degrees (1976), demanded constant exposure. The persona he expressed through his music was laid back, effortlessly cool, sophisticated, stylish, romantically charming, and suave. But the immense success he achieved in his career pointed in part to the driven and determined artist within.
The Music of Boz Scaggs examines the uniqueness of these contradictions throughout Boz Scaggs's sixty-plus-year career and his rich and diverse musical catalog. Over the decades, Scaggs collaborated with an array of talented heavies, from the Steve Miller Band to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (which included a young Duane Allman) on Boz Scaggs (1969), from the session players on Silk Degrees (1976) who would form the hit band Toto to Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald on the Dukes of September's 2010 Rhythm Revue tour.
This first-ever book on Boz is constructed around intensely thorough analysis of his complete discography, and new and exclusive in-depth interviews with a selection of Scaggs's music colleagues from his vast career.
Scaggs founded his connection to music through the blues, but his lasting legacy is one of glamorous and romantic pop songwriting. He possessed a somewhat shy and sensitive demeanor never totally at home in the public eye, yet his claim to several chart-topping singles and albums, particularly the millions-selling and critically acclaimed Silk Degrees (1976), demanded constant exposure. The persona he expressed through his music was laid back, effortlessly cool, sophisticated, stylish, romantically charming, and suave. But the immense success he achieved in his career pointed in part to the driven and determined artist within.
The Music of Boz Scaggs examines the uniqueness of these contradictions throughout Boz Scaggs's sixty-plus-year career and his rich and diverse musical catalog. Over the decades, Scaggs collaborated with an array of talented heavies, from the Steve Miller Band to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (which included a young Duane Allman) on Boz Scaggs (1969), from the session players on Silk Degrees (1976) who would form the hit band Toto to Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald on the Dukes of September's 2010 Rhythm Revue tour.
This first-ever book on Boz is constructed around intensely thorough analysis of his complete discography, and new and exclusive in-depth interviews with a selection of Scaggs's music colleagues from his vast career.
- GenresMusic
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 8, 2025
Anyone who loves music, will love this book. Turn your stereo on, put on one of these tunes and read why we all love Boz Scaggs’ music! Boy, what a treat to read about every Boz Scaggs song that he ever recorded. While reading this book, you should put on a disc and can go back in time to when Boz recorded this great music. This is the most comprehensive book on a musician I’ve ever read. Growing up with Boz’s music, seeing him several times, including the Dukes of Summer Tour as a fan, this is a must read for all who love BOZ SCAGGS. So, sit back and enjoy this great book by JUDE WARNE.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
December 8, 2025
Jude Warne’s “Lowdown” is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the world of rock music or intrigued by the life and legacy of Boz Scaggs. Warne crafts an intimate, vivid portrait of Scaggs, blending meticulous research with a genuine admiration for her subject. The biography provides an in-depth exploration of Scaggs’s journey—from his early collaborations with Steve Miller, through his work in Muscle Shoals (with the legendary Duane Allman), the heights of his “Silk Degrees” fame, to his ongoing influence in blues and soul.
What sets this book apart is Warne’s ability to illuminate both the artistry and the humanity behind the legend. She deftly weaves in anecdotes, musical analysis, and cultural context, painting a well-rounded picture of Scaggs’s impact on American music. Fans will appreciate the deep dive into his discography, while newcomers will find themselves eager to explore his work further.
Often overlooked but addressed here is Mr. Scaggs’ influence on culture, fashion, and taste, and the impact his time in Europe (primarily in Stockholm) had on his aesthetics. Like all musicians of his day, he encountered the hippie movement and, like most of them, moved on from it in most respects while maintaining an elevated bohemian lifestyle. Many young American men (I am one) followed Boz’s lead in self-discipline, fashion, and the arts as the “great cleanup” began in the mid-70s.
“Lowdown” is not just a biography—it’s a testament to the enduring power of music and the artists who shape our cultural landscape. Jude Warne’s engaging narrative style and thorough research make this a five-star read. Highly recommended for music lovers and biography enthusiasts alike!
What sets this book apart is Warne’s ability to illuminate both the artistry and the humanity behind the legend. She deftly weaves in anecdotes, musical analysis, and cultural context, painting a well-rounded picture of Scaggs’s impact on American music. Fans will appreciate the deep dive into his discography, while newcomers will find themselves eager to explore his work further.
Often overlooked but addressed here is Mr. Scaggs’ influence on culture, fashion, and taste, and the impact his time in Europe (primarily in Stockholm) had on his aesthetics. Like all musicians of his day, he encountered the hippie movement and, like most of them, moved on from it in most respects while maintaining an elevated bohemian lifestyle. Many young American men (I am one) followed Boz’s lead in self-discipline, fashion, and the arts as the “great cleanup” began in the mid-70s.
“Lowdown” is not just a biography—it’s a testament to the enduring power of music and the artists who shape our cultural landscape. Jude Warne’s engaging narrative style and thorough research make this a five-star read. Highly recommended for music lovers and biography enthusiasts alike!
April 27, 2025
I was blown away by this book. I’m a fan of Boz’s music, but honestly hadn’t thought about some of these records, especially the 1990s ones in a while, and it was so enjoyable to read this and realize how incredible the albums are. The author Jude Warne also wrote a book on America the band a few years ago, which focused on the music instead of the musicians so much, and this book on Boz is the same way - academically inclined, and celebrating Boz the artist and his musical legacy. The writing is really, really great, almost “too good” for rock and roll writing, but it actually works well with Boz’s music and the “elegance / suavity” etc of a lot of his albums. I loved it, and brand new interviews with the guys in Toto including my favorite guitarist Steve Lukather (who has played with everyone throughout his career), who obviously support this book and credit Boz with being a positive force in their career. I want to read it again already to be honest. High recommended.
November 17, 2025
So overdue! Love Boz! Jude Warne takes a deep dive into the music! Such good writing
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews