Albert Collins


Band members                              Related acts

- Albert Collins (RIP 1983)  -- vocals, guitar

 

  supporting musicians (1978)

- Alan Batts -- keyboards 

- Aron Burton -- bass

- Larry Burton -- guitar

- Casey Jones -- drums

- A.C. Reed - sax

- Chuck Smith -- sax 

 

 

- none known

 

 

 


 

Genre: blues

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Ice Pickin'

Company: Alligator

Catalog: AL-4713

Year: 1978

Country/State: Leona, Texas

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4754

Price: $20.00

Cost: $2.00

 

Albert Collins had been recording since the late 1950s, but until the late 1970s he'd never attracted much of an American audience outside of blues circles.  Luckily that changed in 1977 when he was signed to the newly formed Chicago-based Alligator Records.                 

 

Co-produced by Bruce Iglauer, Richard McLeese, and Dick Shurman, "Ice Pickin'" marked Collins' first studio set in six years.  The layoff was apparently quite beneficial.  Backed by a first rate band, Collins returned to the recording scene with what may have been his strongest and most consistent studio collection.  While instrumentals like the title track and 'Avalanche' aptly displayed Collins' mastery of the telecaster and alternative tunings (Steve Ray Vaughan's debt to this man is beyond calculation), to my ears the biggest surprises were Collins' voice and his sense of humor.  His vocal performances were simply great on tracks like 'Honey Hush!' and 'Cold, Cold Feeling'.  Hard to believe the man had a thing about his voice for many years ...  He also exhibited a mean sense of humor on material such as 'When the Welfare Turns Its Back On You', 'Master Charge' and 'Conversation with Collins' - the latter a great slice of talking blues with a moral that you shouldn't let your wife have a night on the town with friends.  

 

- Geez, listening to his blazing fast runs, can you imagine having the talent to wail on a Telecaster like Collins?  As mentioned, I find it hard to imagine Collins was uncomfortable with his wonderful voice ...  Killer way to start the album.  rating: **** stars

- While it was built on a conventional blues structure, 'When the Welfare Turns Its Back On You' had the gift of humor.   rating: **** stars

- Anyone who thought Collins was just a one dimensional blues picker should take a listen to the funky title track instrumental.  Kudos to Aron Burton for the nifty walking bass line.   The only thing that would have made it better would have been some Collins vocals.   rating: **** stars

- Every time I hear 'Cold, Cold Feeling' I think about Robert Cray ...   I wonder how much time Cray and his band spent listening to Albert Collins.  The debt has to be substantial.  One of my favorite songs on the album with Collins turning in some of his most melodic lead guitar.   rating: **** stars

- A rollicking blues number, 'Too Tired' was also the first disappointment.  Professional enough, but rather pedestrian and simply lacked anything to distinguish it from better numbers on the album.   rating: ** stars

- I smile every time I hear 'Master Charge'  ...  not that my wife goes crazy on the credit card, rather the fact I'm old enough to remember when Master Charge was a real credit card.   Anyhow, this one showcased a nice blend of Collins icy guitar, funky moves, and humor ...  One of the album's most outright commercial moves.  rating: *** stars

- Clocking in at just under nine minutes, 'Conversation with Collins' was the album's centerpiece with Collins and the band talking family trash over an easy-going, blues track.  The' 'talking' guitar segment was pretty amazing, but yeah, it went on way too long, eventually losing its charm.  Still, the message was clear -  just make sure your wife is home by 2:00 am.  rating: **** stars

- The album's second instrumental, 'Avalanche' was nothing more than a platform to showcase Collins hyper-paced chops.   A must for guitar fans.  rating: *** stars

 

For goodness sake, even rock critic Robert Christgau gave this release an A- !!!  Be sure to read Bruce Iglaur and Lee Hilerbrand's short Collins biography on the back panel.

 

"Ice Pickin'" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Honey Hush!   (Lowell Fulson - Washingron) - 4:28

2.) When the Welfare Turns Its Back On You   (Thompson - Weaver) - 5:26

3.) Ice Pick (instrumental)   (Albert Collins) - 3:37

4.) Cold, Cold Feeling   (Robinson) - 5:19

 

(side 2)
1.) Too Tired   (Watson - Davis - Ling) - 3:00

2.) Master Charge  (Albert Collins) - 5:14

3.) Conversation with Collins   (Albert Collins) - 8:50

4.) Avalanche (instrumental)   (Albert Collins) - 2:37

 

Sadly Collins passed away from cancer in November 1993.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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