Originally posted January 30, 2009 and February 24, 2016
April 8, 2008
Tacoma, WA.
Soundboard @192
Though he grew up as a drummer and was raised on rock & roll, Coco Montoya became an
outstanding blues guitarist in the '90s after stints in the bands of Albert Collins and John Mayall. Montoya debuted as a leader in 1995 with the Blind Pig album Gotta Mind to Travel and garnered an award for Best New Blues Artist at the following year's Handy Awards ceremonies.
His first album with the Bluesbreakers came in 1985. Mayall had not released an album in five years at that point and the Bluesbreakers had been dead for more than 15, but the live album Behind the Iron Curtain proved Mayall's viability thanks mostly to the fiery work of Montoya. The guitarist appeared on three studio albums with Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, but then struck out on his own by the mid-'90s. Signed to Blind Pig, Montoya released Gotta Mind to Travel in 1995 with help from Mayall and another former Bluesbreaker compatriot, rhythm guitarist Debbie Davies. After years of toil under Collins and Mayall, Montoya was finally in the spotlight and his award as Best New Blues Artist of 1996 proved quite ironic, given his years of experience. His second album, Ya Think I'd Know Better, was followed by 1997's Just Let Go. At that point, Montoya and Blind Pig parted company and he signed with Alligator Records.
~Jon Bush & Al Cambell (All Music Guide)
01 It Takes Time
02 Last Dirty Deal
03 Women Have a Way With A Fool
04 You'd Think I Know Better By Now
05 Trip, Stumble & Fall
06 Coin Operated Love
07 Unknown Song
08 Tumbleweed
09 Have You Heard
10 Put The Shoe On the Other Foot
11 Good Days, Bad Days
12 Wrong From The Start
13 Back In A Cadillac
14 I Need Your Love In My Life






























