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CD26
Coco Montoya
Suspicion
Alligator
It's hard to believe that Coco Montoya started his musical career as a drummer in a rock band. On a chance meeting, Albert Collins invited him to play drums in the Icebreakers, a position Coco filled for five years. During that stint Albert taught him blues guitar and he eventually joined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. In 1993 he struck out on his own.
Suspicion is Montoya's third album and his first for Alligator. It's produced by Jim Gaines who has worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana and our own Dave Hole. It features 12 powerful songs, three of which are original. His fiery playing and evocative vocals make this album a winner. I loved the novelty of Casting My Spell and the lazy, sultry feel of Trading One Fool For Another which shows his powerful vocals to good effect and features some very tasty fretwork.
Though some will find Suspicion a little on the heavy side and maybe a little over-produced, I loved the enormous energy and feel. Coming in at just under an hour, this album is well-worth a listen.
Helen Farley
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