Coco Montoya apprenticed with Albert Collins and The Icebreakers for five years and with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers for ten. In 1993 he broke-out and formed his own band, and he never looked back. He is a guitar "force" and a passionate singer. In January he will release "Dirty Deal" his sixth album and third on Alligator Records.

Opening with an Albert Collins styled guitar riff on "Last Dirty Deal", Coco sings "it's all over baby cause you've done your last dirty deal". This is the first of two originals and begins this great set. "Three Sides To Every Story" is the John Mooney and Gary Nicholson song first recorded on John Mooney's "Against The Wall" album. The guitar solo here is especially nice. "Love Gotcha" is from Lloyd Jones. "How Do You Sleep At Night?" is from Mike Anderson. Next are two blues classics; Otis Rush's "It Takes Time" and Johnny Clyde Copeland's "It's My Own Tears". "Coin Operated Love" is the other Coco Montoya original. "Clean Slate" was written by Dan Penn and Coco's vocal is one of the albums highlights.

Albert Collins' wife, Gwen, wrote "Put the Shoe on The Other Foot" and Coco reprises it nicely. "It's All Your Fault" is from Lowell Fulson. "Ain't No Brakeman", is the Fontaine Brown song first recorded by John Mayall on his "Spinning Coin" album. I love this track and if it sounds a little bit like "Little Feat" it is because the rhythm section consists of Kenny Gradney, bass and Richie Hayward, drums. The album is wonderfully produced by Paul Barerre of "Little Feat" who guests on rhythm guitar. Other guests include Bill Payne and Fred Tackett also from "Little Feat". This is a great blues album, check out Coco Montoya's website www.cocomontoya.com for his tour dates and information.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com