City Newspaper Archives - 3/2007
BLUES: Coco Montoya (3/15)
Published by Frank De Blase on Mar 13, 2007
It's the blues, Pearl Harbor style. Southpaw guitar slinger Coco Montoya's blues sneaks up on you. Even when the mood is subdued and this California cat is laying back, there's a fire below. Montoya's ability to burn subtlety is impressive. Yeah sure, he can righteously let fly with a blurry flurry and roar at the mic when he wants, but I'm tellin' ya, watching a bluesman hold back just intensifies the thrill of the show.
While playing drums for Albert Collins in the early '70s, Montoya graduated to the guitar at the feet of Iceman. Soon after, John Mayall took notice and Montoya toured the world as a Bluesbreaker for 10 years.
Since 1993 Montoya has lead the charge his own damn self, zig-zagging the planet while rockin' joints from Rotterdam to Rochester. And though he's rubbed elbows and traded licks with masters, his sound is contemporarily fresh and funky.
Coco Montoya plays the blues Thursday, March 15, at The Club @ Water Street, 204 North Water Street, 325-5600, 8 p.m., $15.
Article Photos
Coco Montoya
