Boz Scaggs – Detour

Boz Scaggs returns after a seven-year studio hiatus with Detour, an elegant collection that casts his voice in the light of the Great American Songbook. The album consists of 11 tracks, blending both well-known standards and more obscure selections, along with a revisited version of his own “I’ll Be Long Gone” from 1969. Recorded over the course of informal demo sessions with pianist Seth Asarnow (later joined by a small ensemble), the record thrives on intimacy, subtlety and emotional depth. Scaggs’ seasoned vocals carry each interpretation with a sense of comfort and authority, making the old new again without losing the original spirit.

The tone throughout Detour is one of reverence rather than reinvention. There are gentle, smoky takes on jazz standards like “Angel Eyes,” “The Very Thought of You,” and “Detour Ahead,” each delivered with restraint and nuance. While arrangements remain modest — favoring piano, subtle rhythm section, occasional strings — there’s a polished sophistication in the choices of songs and the pacing that reflects decades of experience. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Detour offers something deeply satisfying: a mature artist acknowledging the power of these songs and letting them shine through without ornament.