Motown gets the Royal Studios treatment in the glorious reading of Sylvia Robinson's "Love on a Two-Way Street," which features Funk Brother Jack Ashford on vibes. In Scaggs' smooth voice, the passage of time blurs it stretches and ultimately ceases to matter. Blues are reconstructed in the gorgeous version of "Corrina Corrina." While it is recorded somewhat nearer to its traditional folk origins, Spooner Oldham's Wurlitzer ghosts in from the margins and ushers it in from history to the present era. The latter features a scorching electric dobro solo by Keb' Mo'. The nasty readings of Jimmy Reed's "You Got Me Cryin'" and the Meters' "Dry Spell" attest to that. Scaggs has always loved the seam where roadhouse blues and R&B meet. These songs draw attention to an under-celebrated singer, songwriter, and performer. Scaggs lets raucous, electric roadhouse blues hold sway. He furthers that notion in covering Moon Martin's "Cadillac Walk," a tune that was a minor hit for DeVille. His take on Willy DeVille's "Mixed Up Shook Up Girl" reveals just how deep the late New York rocker's R&B roots really ran as a songwriter. Then Scaggs begins to move the recording off the ledge a bit.
In his cover of Green's "So Good to Be Here," Scaggs references him but digs deeper into his own trick bag with more rounded, earthier highlights.
If there were doubts about the quality of his voice at this juncture, they're immediately dispelled when his sweet falsetto emerges. Green's influence is celebrated in the opener, Scaggs' "Gone Baby Gone." Its wafting B-3, Rhodes, fluid electric guitars, and a tight backbeat underscore his baritone croon to excellent effect. on guitars, and bassist Willie Weeks, augmented by the Royal Horns & Strings, a small backing chorus, sidemen, and guests. Produced by drummer Steve Jordan, the core band includes the singer and Ray Parker, Jr. On Memphis, Boz Scaggs pays tribute to the city's magnificent soul tradition, Al Green, and producer Willie Mitchell and his Royal Recordings studio, whose location and personnel were used to cut it in three days. Boz Scaggs - Memphis - 2013 - 429 Records