Silk Degrees remains one of my personal soft rock powerhouse albums, one of those old go-to’s when you’re looking for an emotional pick me up. It has all the elements that comprise a timeless album– immaculately crafted pop hooks, dynamics you can only get with a live band studio recording, sultry saxophone solos, gallant grooves from the rhythm section, and Scaggs’ delightful vocal range that sounds part Van Morrison in the low end before he effortlessly hits a crystal clear falsetto. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Scaggs live at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga (IYKYK) during my teenage years with the family of an ex-girlfriend whose mom was an absolute stan for Scaggs, and his live performance of “Lido Shuffle” was somehow even more energetic than his studio recording. The dude is just an all-timer who cranked out soft rock classics like it was his day job (I guess technically it was) and seems like he’s having an absolute blast doing it. Outside of the technical expertise he deftly wields on this album, I think my favorite part of Silk Degrees is how much fun it sounds like the band is recording it. There’s an infectious energy that permeates the whole record that is undeniable.
Standout Songs: “Georgia”, “Harbor Lights”, “Lowdown”, “Lido Shuffle”, “We’re All Alone”
