Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The legend of Boz Scaggs has more than spoken for itself since the 1960s, from getting a start in the Steve Miller Band, to becoming a solo superstar and practically putting the band Toto together during his monumental “Silk Degrees” sessions.

Though the singer/guitarist/piano player doesn’t record as frequently these days, he did just take a “Detour” through the Great American Songbook for the sheer joy of interpreting another batch of ageless standards, and at 81-years-old, does so with remarkably rich vocals and the hard-earned wisdom of longevity.

Those qualities translated quite potently to the breathtaking environment of the landmark Auditorium Theatre, where for 100 minutes, Scaggs intertwined covers and some of the originals that made him a soulful, soft rock megastar, who could just as comfortably tackle jazz or blues.

“It’s Over” was one of the smashes, though it was actually the very start of this fittingly-titled “Rhythm Revue” Tour, which found the headliner stretching out alongside a super smooth six-piece band.

Together, they delivered such sophisticated selections as “Rock And Stick,” “Sierra” and “Slow Dancer,” then tried on Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “The Feeling Is Gone” for size, yet made it sound like it always belonged to Scaggs.

The same could be said regarding Earl King’s “It All Went Down The Drain” in between additional personal reflections “Miss Riddle” and “Harbor Lights,” often featuring extended instrumental sections.

Scaggs also pleaded “Somebody Loan Me A Dime” while picking up where its founder Fenton Robinson left off, followed by the toe-tapping, Grammy Award-winning grooves of “Lowdown,” straight into the call and response anthem “Lido Shuffle.”

Surprisingly, he omitted the enormous “Urban Cowboy” soundtrack ballad “Look What You’ve Done To Me” and the yacht rocker “Jojo,” but nonetheless returned for a still satisfying encore of fellow essentials “What Can I Say” and “Breakdown Dead Ahead,” each reinforcing a lengthy and beloved legacy.

For additional information on Boz Scaggs, visit BozScaggs.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concerts at the Auditorium Theatre include Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng (Nov. 7-8); Tortoise & Chicago Philharmonic (Nov. 11); Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater (Nov. 15); Homecoming: The Making Of The Chicago Arts Scene & Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Nov. 19); “The Moth Mainstage” (Nov. 20); FLOW (Nov. 21); Sarah McLachlan (Nov. 22); Sting (Nov. 24); Sleeping At Last & Chicago Philharmonic (Nov. 29); “Elf The Musical” (Dec. 2-14); Pink Martini (Dec. 17); Modi: Big Deal Comedy Fest (Dec. 18) and “The Holiday” & Chicago Philharmonic (Dec. 20). For additional details, visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

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