Ice Pickin'
This 1978 release is the 6th studio album from the coolest ice picker of them all, Albert Collins, and his first for Alligator records, THE blues label of the `70s and `80s.
Collins had a totally unique style that served him well throughout his recording career. At the heart of it was his unusually tuned guitar and the way he would pluck at the strings with his thumb and forefinger, eschewing a pick, and creating a sharp, clear, aggressive sound. He put this basic sound at the heart of a series of tracks that combined blues with a strong funky soul element (amplified by the use of horns and bass) and quite often a strong sense of humour.
Collins was a showman first and foremost, always finding new ways to surprise, amaze and entertain the audience. From this comes his desire to show off what he can do with the guitar, and his singing style which has a story telling quality and a sense of humour. This album shows off all these elements, with track after track of great funky blues as he tells stories of his trials and tribulations with his credit card company and his high spending wife. It's classic stuff, and probably my favourite of his albums.
An excellent buy for all those interested in blues. It's different from the usual blues music that you are probably familiar with, but all the better for it.
- Honey, Hush!
- When The Welfare Turns Its Back
- On You
- Ice Pick
- Cold, Cold Feeling
- Too Tired
- Master Change
- Conversation With Collins
- Avalanche
This 1978 release is the 6th studio album from the coolest ice picker of them all, Albert Collins, and his first for Alligator records, THE blues label of the `70s and `80s.
Collins had a totally unique style that served him well throughout his recording career. At the heart of it was his unusually tuned guitar and the way he would pluck at the strings with his thumb and forefinger, eschewing a pick, and creating a sharp, clear, aggressive sound. He put this basic sound at the heart of a series of tracks that combined blues with a strong funky soul element (amplified by the use of horns and bass) and quite often a strong sense of humour.
Collins was a showman first and foremost, always finding new ways to surprise, amaze and entertain the audience. From this comes his desire to show off what he can do with the guitar, and his singing style which has a story telling quality and a sense of humour. This album shows off all these elements, with track after track of great funky blues as he tells stories of his trials and tribulations with his credit card company and his high spending wife. It's classic stuff, and probably my favourite of his albums.
An excellent buy for all those interested in blues. It's different from the usual blues music that you are probably familiar with, but all the better for it.
Tracklisting
- Honey, Hush!
- When The Welfare Turns Its Back
- On You
- Ice Pick
- Cold, Cold Feeling
- Too Tired
- Master Change
- Conversation With Collins
- Avalanche