Jazz, blues, rock, R&B, soulâhe has explored them all. And when Boz Scaggs decided to look back, musically as well as biographically, he returned to where it all began. âMemphisâ is not only the title of the Texas nativeâs most recent album, but also the city of origin for his father, his grandparents, and his wife. Fresh off the release of his 17th studio album and first in five years, Scaggs brings the âMemphisâ tour to Meridianâs Riley Center on April 19 for a 7:30 p.m. performance.
With producer Steve Jordan and a crack band he puts a distinctive touch on classics like âRainy Night in Georgia,â âCorinna Corinna,â and âMixed Up, Shook Up Girl,â as well as on a couple of originals. Thirteen tracks were recorded in three days at the cityâs landmark Royal Studios, where the late Willie Mitchell produced so many of Al Greenâs and Anne Peeblesâ legendary albums.
In addition to touring extensively with his own band, Scaggs continues to work with Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald as The Dukes of September, most recently playing a 47-city tour to rave reviews, performing their own material along with R&B and soul classics. Within that collaboration, throughout his career and especially evident in âMemphis,â Scaggsâ unique voice and trademark sound make plain his abiding respect for a wide spectrum of American roots music.
Tickets are $69 and $63 at the MSU Riley Center box office, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by calling the box office at 601-696-2200.