SAN FRANCISCO--As Boz Scaggs [ tickets ] played a few of his signature songs from many decades past, longtime fans clapped their hands and tapped their feet. But they weren't reacting to the beat so much as they were remembering.

It was clear from the start of this homecoming gig at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre on Friday night (11/16) that this was not to be your standard roll-out-the-hits night that you'll find at most classic rock shows. Then again, Scaggs has never been your standard classic rocker.

First, he's not the most prolific pop star out there. "Dig" is his first album of original material in seven years and only his ninth since he began his excellent solo career in 1969.

The classic rock star, known for such key releases as 1976's "Silk Degrees" and 1980's "Middle Man," is clearly focused on his new album, "Dig." But he's also smart enough to know that the audience was there to hear the old hits. So he compromised. A little.

"We've got some things that you've heard and some things that you might not have heard," the 57-year-old singer said from the stage, but the song selection clearly favored things that we might not have heard.

After a strong opening set by blues guitarist Duke Robillard, Scaggs and his seven-piece backing band began their show with "Call That Love" from the new album. Four of the first six songs came from "Dig." By the end of the 15-song show, Scaggs had played eight new songs.

In general, the "Dig" material held up very well in concert. He edited out the few bad tracks that stain the album, such as the obnoxious funk tune "Get on the Natch," and delivered his best vocal work of the evening with these new songs.

Scaggs likes to experiment with different sounds, and "Dig" is a pretty good illustration of his many musical moods. The best moments of the night came with creeping, honey-soaked renditions of new songs like "Desire," "Miss Riddle" and "Thanks to You."

In contrast, Scaggs should think about hanging up the new album's single, "Payday." This contrived blues rocker sounds like either Don Henley on a bad day or Glenn Fry on a good one. Either way, you lose.

The singer has obviously taken care of his voice over his lengthy career, and his bluesy delivery shines more on slow songs than on rockers. But it has to be a slow song that he's interested in. Scaggs is known to mail it in a bit when he's tired of playing a certain number.

The few hits that he played were a mixed bag. "Jojo" and "Breakdown Dead Ahead" were both quite festive and had the crowd moving. The sentimental "Look What You've Done to Me" had people reliving their junior high proms.

However, I was hugely disappointed with the guitar-heavy, Texas-boogie makeover of "Lido Shuffle," which took all the fun out of this classic song. To top it off, Scaggs almost completely sapped the cool hustle out of "Lowdown" by allowing his band too many indulgent solos.

But the fans still reacted favorably. A good memory can almost always smooth over a bad arrangement.