The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Coco Montoya CD tour includes Collinsville
Contributed story
COLLINSVILLE — Blues-rock guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya, touring in support of his latest Alligator Records CD, “Hard Truth,” is scheduled to perform at Bridge Street Live in Collinsville on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m .
Taught by the Master of the Telecaster, Albert Collins, and schooled by a decade on the road with John Mayall, Montoya — who cut three successful CDs for Alligator between 2000 and 2007 — has a hardedged sound and style all his own. He delivers instantly memorable songs, powered by his forceful, melodic guitar playing and passionate vocals.
A monster player and dynamic performer, on “Hart Truth,” Montoya unleashes one career-topping performance after another, the music immediately ranking among the best he’s ever recorded. Produced by Tony Braunagel (Eric Burdon, Curtis Salgado, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt), the album features 11 songs, ranging from red-hot rockers to soul-baring ballads, driving shuffles and intense slow blues, each delivering its own hard truth.
His unpredictable guitar playing and smoking soul vocals blend effortlessly with a backing band featuring renowned musicians including bassist Bob Glaub (Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Lee Lewis), keyboardist Mike Finnigan (Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, Taj Mahal), guitarists Billy Watts (Eric Burdon) and Johnny Lee Schell (Bonnie Raitt), and Braunagel on drums. Slide guitar master Lee Roy Parnell guests on Lost In The Bottle.
Montoya earned his status as a master guitarist and soul-powered vocalist through years of paying his dues as a sideman with Albert Collins (first as a drummer) and then as a featured guitarist with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, before launching his solo career in 1993. Five years of constant touring with Collins and 10 years with Mayall turned him into a monster player and dynamic performer. Montoya has released eight previous solo albums to great critical and popular acclaim, and has played at clubs, concert halls and major festivals all over the world. Guitar Player says Montoya plays “stunning, powerhouse blues with a searing tone, emotional soloing, and energetic, unforced vocals.”
Still an indefatigable road warrior, Montoya continues to pack clubs and theaters around the world, and brings festival audiences to their feet from New York to New Orleans to Chicago to San Francisco. Across the globe, he’s performed in countries including Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, England, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Italy, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic and Canada.
Vintage Guitar says, “Coco just keeps getting better and better...rockin’ blues with guitar that cuts straight to the heart of the matter. His guitar playing is funky and blistering; it’s perfect. Whatever he plays, he does it with fire and passion rarely seen in this day and age.”
Bridge Street Live is located at 41 Bridge St. in Collinsville Tickets are $25 and $40. For tickets and information, call 860-6939762 or visit www.41bridgestreet.com