Coco Montoya CD Preview

Acclaimed blues guitarist Coco Montoya will make his Ruf Records debut with the March 9th, 2010 release of his latest album, I Want It All Back. Produced by Grammy™ Award-winning guitarist Keb' Mo' and keyboardist Jeff Paris, I Want It All Back is Montoya's first album release since 2007's Dirty Deal and is said to be a barrier-busting, guitar-driven blend of blues, blues-rock, R&B, and soul. Montoya even throws in a spirited cover of the Penguins' doo-wop classic "Hey Senorita."

Montoya is joined on I Want It All Back by the veteran rhythm section of bassist Reggie McBride, who has performed with Keb' Mo' and B.B. King, and drummer Stephen Ferrone, who has played behind Eric Clapton and Tom Petty. Mo' added rhythm guitar to the songs, while Paris contributed his nimble keyboards work. Harmonica wizard Rod Piazza and his wife, the piano-pounding "Miss Honey" Alexander, collaborate with Montoya on a cover of Buster Brown's classic R&B raver "Fannie Mae."

Montoya made his bones touring with blues giant Albert Collins, first as his drummer and later as a second guitarist, mentored by the blues guitar legend. Montoya spent five years playing with Collins before leaving the band and joining John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, where he spent the better part of the decade of the 1980s, touring the world and performing on three Mayall albums.

Montoya launched his solo career in 1993, recording three critically-acclaimed albums for Blind Pig Records, later signing with Alligator Records in 2000 for three albums. Montoya's Blind Pig years were recently anthologized on 2009's The Essential Coco Montoya album. The guitarist will be hitting the road this year in support of I Want It All Back...stay tuned for Montoya's tour dates as they're announced.

Related Content:
Coco Montoya Profile
The Essential Coco Montoya CD review

Photo courtesy Ruf Records