The Essential Coco Montoya presents tracks from the guitarist's initial solo recordings released by Blind Pig in the mid-90's. Montoya, who honed his signature chops as a protégé of modern blues forefathers Albert Collins and John Mayall, personally selected the tracks for this compilation. They document his post-Bluesbreakers entry into the limelight and the beginning of a still running ascendency in the Blues-Rock realm. These recordings, now a decade old, evoke a highly creative place and time in this world-class guitarist's career as he came into his own.

"Coco Montoya is one of the reasons people mistakenly think blues is easy music to play. His fierce attack is so expert yet sounds so effortless that it makes you believe anyone armed with 12 bars and six strings can pull it off." -- Billboard "Few blues guitarists performing today can top the intensity of former John Mayall sideman Coco Montoya's torrid, Albert Collins-inspired attack. Shards of shivering, feedback-enhanced blue notes fly off the Southern California picker's ax and cut deep into the rhythm section's grooves." -- San Francisco Chronicle "Blistering contemporary blues ... piercing attack; funky, shivery guitar tones; and aggressive, soulful vocals." -- Blues Revue

* Catalog has scanned well over 200,000 units! * Over the course of his 30-year career, guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya's explosive guitar playing and soul-driven voice have propelled him to the upper reaches of the blues-rock world. * From his early days as a drummer to his current status as one of the top-drawing guitarists and vocalists on the blues-rock scene, Montoya has forged his reputation through years of hard work and constant touring. * Averaging over 200 tour dates a year, Montoya packs clubs and theaters around the world. He has played major festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, San Francisco Blues Festival, and Canada's International Jazz Festival * Has received glowing praise from the Blues Revue, Living Blues, Village Voice, Billboard, San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Daily News and much more--all of which have ranked him among the best guitarists and singers on the blues scene.

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Since stepping out as a bandleader in 1993, Montoya released five solo albums and performed non-stop at clubs, concert halls and major festivals all over the world. At every show, fans' jaws dropped, and critics raved about Montoya's mind-bending guitar licks and fervent vocals. "The fiery blues that issue forth from Coco Montoya's guitar are awe-inspiring and boogie requiring," says The Village Voice. With his new CD, Dirty Deal (joined by his friends from Little Feat), Montoya turns up the intensity with another dose of his feral, soul-stirring music.

On Dirty Deal, Montoya, along with his road-tested, red-hot touring band, once again uses blues as a blasting off point for his emotional, soulful music. With his icy-hot guitar playing and his passionate, unaffected vocals, he attacks each of the 11 songs with deep feeling and ferocious energy. Montoya's friends, Little Feat members Paul Barerre, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne, add their unique talents to the mix as well. Produced by Barrere and engineer Roger Cole, every song on Dirty Deal--the rockers as well as the ballads--burns from start to finish. Montoya brings all the unbridled force of his acclaimed live shows into the studio for a foot-stomping, guitar-fueled ride. Dirty Deal is Montoya's rawest, most stripped-down and impassioned recording to date.

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All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Debbie Davies follows up her last release "All is Found" (2005) with the August 28, 2007, release of "Blues Blast" (CD-83669), a pressure cooker recording that showcases her seasoned guitar and vocal capabilities and includes guest appearances by three high-profile bluesmen: guitarists Tab Benoit and Coco Montoya, and harpist Charlie Musselwhite.

"Like a master chef's gourmet meal offering exquisite courses, Debbie has crafted a nine-course wallop of her musical vision and spirit," says Art Tipaldi, senior writer for Blues Revue and the author of the album's liner notes. "One listen to Debbie's tribute [to guitar mentor Albert Collins] with Coco, the opening `A.C. Strut,' proves these kids learned Pop's lessons."

And that's just the beginning. While the spirit of Collins is ever-present in Davies' guitar attack, the earthy Texas shuffle has become her trademark sound. On Buddy Guy's classic `My Time After While,' she conjures up that fiery Lone Star groove.

Four of the eight remaining tracks are either written or co-written by Davies. Musselwhite ups the ante when he steps in with his high-end blows and low-end draws on Davies' own "Sittin' and Cryin'" and Musselwhite's own contribution, "Movin' and Groovin.'" Labelmate Tab Benoit joins Davies to pay homage to two legendary blues masters: John Lee Hooker on "Crawlin' King Snake" and Howlin' Wolf on "Howlin' for My Darlin.'"

The closer, "Sonoma Sunset," bakes slow and rich like the perfect high-calorie dessert for every blues lover. Davies and her three accomplices join together in this minor-key, slow-blues instrumental. The combination of Musselwhite's harp solo - an exquisite succession of one sonic innovation after another - and input from all three guitarists turn this track into a ten-minute workout. In the final coda, it's easy to feel the spirited enthusiasm in their teamwork.