Albert Collins - Ice Pickin`

Artist:

Collins, Albert

UPC:

014551471325

See Also:

Reed, Jimmy (Blues) Albert Collins / Robert Cray/ Johnny Copeland - Showdown

Description:

Personnel: Albert Collins (vocals, guitar); Larry Burton (guitar); A.C. Reed (tenor saxophone); Chuck Smith (baritone saxophone); Alan Batts (keyboards); Aron Burton (bass); Casey Jones (drums).
Producers: Richard McLeese, Dick Shurman, Bruce Iglauer.
Recorded at Curtom Studios in Chicago, Illinois.
Of all the slabs of blues-guitar brilliance in Albert Collins`s discography, ICE PICKIN`, his landmark 1978 debut for Alligator Records, is arguably the best. In the `70s, Collins had moved beyond his earlier R&B-themed groove instrumentals, and was writing more traditional blues tunes (with verses and choruses) that still showcased his playing. On the funky opener, "Honey, Hush! (Talking Woman Blues)," for example, his full-toned Telecaster slides in for quick embellishments and accents during the body of the song, before opening up into a ferocious, angular solo. "Cold, Cold Feeling" is a smoldering, down-tempo blues that finds Collins playing against the song`s spaces with searching, soulful leads.
Collins is joined by a seamlessly tight backing band here, including a keyboardist, tenor and baritone saxes, and a crack rhythm section. The group rollicks on "Too Tired," tones it down for the funny narrative of "Conversation with Collins," and locks in at mid-tempo for "Ice Pick" (on which Collins plays syncopated figures with stinging intensity). Collins`s style, which involves a full, distinctive tone, rhythmic finger picking, and a sometimes quirky, but always soulful, sense of phrasing, is in full flower throughout. This is a superb date from one of the blues-guitar greats.

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Honey, Hush! (Talking Woman Blues)
2. When the Welfare Turns Its Back on You
3. Ice Pick
4. Cold, Cold Feeling
5. Too Tired
6. Master Charge
7. Conversation With Collins
8. Avalanche

Album Information

Release Date:

01/01/1987

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Blues

Subgenre:

Texas/W. Coast Blues

Label:

Alligator Records

Catalog Number:

ALCD 4713

Original Release Year:

1978

# of Discs:

1

SPARS Coding:

AAD

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

38 : 15

Guest Artist:

A.C. Reed

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