Customer Reviews

Albert Collins: Live at Montreux 1992

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Albert Collins ranks as one of the greatest and most influential Blues guitarists of all time. However, material on him is rather scarce. The previously released concerts, interestingly, are all shot outside the USA. He has two great sets in Baden-Baden Germany which are superb, the 1988 one being the best. And his Japanese concert, with a day and night set, is also fantastic. This concert features Albert at Montreux at both ends of his career. The bonus set is from 1979, just after the release of his most influential LP "Ice Pickin'" and this set from 1992, just before his death in 1993.

The bonus set is THE highlight and a "must" for Albert Collins fans. It only contains four tracks, but WHAT four tracks they are! He starts with "Listen Here" a standard opening he used for over ten years and this version is cool. His sound is muddy and distorted, with controlled feedback. This is not like his later "clean" sound. His first solo in this tune is unlike anything he has ever done with some controlled descending runs. I really loved it!

He also goes out in the audience and plays at the beginning of the set-which is also highly unusual. He sits in the crowd and plays. Next he does a funky tune "Snatching It Back" which again turns into some wild improvisation. He then does "Cold, Cold Feeling" from his "Ice Pickin'" album and it, interestingly, is in a major not the usual minor key--really interesting. In the middle of the tune a young German fan gets up on stage and plays harp--it doesn't even distract Collins!! He just keeps on playing. Albert is cool! Albert King would have stopped the show!!

The final tune is "Frosty" and it's a strong early version and we have the rare honour of seeing Albert jam with "Gatemouth" Brown as well. Brown also played with his fingers, had strong Jazz influences and used a capo on the guitar- so this is a very rare glimpse at Collins influences from a fellow Texan. These bonus tracks are very important to Blues DVD collectors as these are about seven years earlier than anything Collins has out. The band includes drummer Casey Jones and Sax player A.C. Reed who played with Albert through the years in the 1980s when he was finally getting the recognition he deserved.

The main show is filmed in 1992 and shows us a tired and worn out Collins who features the band with him who played on his final tour (I saw him in Australia the final time in 1992 with this line-up). It includes the fabulous Johnny B. Gayden on Bass (one of the longest serving "Icebreakers" and the fantastic Peter Thoennes on second guitar. He also plays keyboards as well (on records), Collins could never say his name and always referred to him as "Pete". Jon Smith is also a great band member on sax. This band can also be seen on the "Ice Man At Mt. Fuji" DVD. Watch Thoennes meticulous guitar playing behind Collins on most tunes but in particular the slow blues.

The main set in the Montreux DVD includes the standards that Collins ended his career with starting with "Iceman", not a great tune, but fun nonetheless. Collins makes a few mistakes and has his timing off but makes it all up by the end. Honey Hush begins as a disaster with the band falling in very late. Albert messes up the words too! This tune was the first one on his "Ice Pickin'" LP and was a great tune by Lowell Fulson. The third tune "Light Are On (But Nobody's Home)" is classic Collins and is also featured on most of his other DVDs. It is a strong version. "If You Love Me Like You Say" continues. It is a funky up-tempo tune full of Albert's distinctive guitar work. The next tune is the highlight; "Too Many Dirty Dishes", it features more of Albert's fantastic Slow Blues work. Great lines too, "Too many dirty dishes for just us two." "Who's been making dirty dishes with you"! So we get TWO slow ones on this set-very unusual.

The set goes on with "Put the Shoe On The Other Foot" and Collins goes out into the crowd. Now he usually did this on "Frosty" so this is change as "Listen Here" is in the Bonus Material. He really gets the crowd going! There is a story that while playing in Antone's in Texas he went out the door and ordered a Pizza!!! Oh those long guitar leads!! Albert finishes up with "Frosty" again a strong version but much different than the one on the bonus tracks. Blues fans should be sure to get this disc. It gives us an insight into Albert's final days and while his game is off during a lot of this set, the tunes are good and you have to be in awe of Collins' mastery and originality on the Telecaster. No one can play like Albert Collins, his sound, minor key tuning, finger picking, use of a capo and attack are one of the most exciting styles ever in Blues music.

This is such a great live performance from the famous Montreux. I highly recommened this DVD or the CD. The DVD, however, has more songs than the CD.

I was lucky to review it before the DVD is released on March 4th.

This is Blues 101 and Blues at its best. This is great for beginners or Blues lovers.

Albert Collins is one of the Best Bluesman ever. this video shows him during some of his finest performances. This is a treasure for any dedicated blues guitarist or blues lover!

This is a fantastic concert by the late/great Texas Bluesman, Albert Collins. Albert Collins has his own unique electric guitar playing style. He plays a Fender Telocaster, electric guitar. He was known as the "Master of the Telocaster". This is one "Awesome", electric, blues guitar concerts. This concert contains some great guitar "jam", electric, guitar solo, performances by Albert & Pete Thoennes. They can really "jam" on their electric guitars. Albert was a big influence on the late/great Stevie Ray Vaughan, another great Texas Blues Guitarist. He also influenced the late/great, Jimi Hendrix, and many more blues artists. Albert picks the guitar with his fingers, and he uses a capo, high up on the neck of the electric guitar, which gave him a unique style, and a unique sound. This DVD is electric blues at it's best. This DVD has excellent sound quality that is "rich & deep", because of Albert's unique guitar style, and because of his great backing bands. Also, on the last song of the 1979 concert, "Frosty", Albert is joined by the late/great Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, accompanying him on electric guitar. Also during the show, a fan gets on stage and plays harmonia, but he is ignored by Albert and his band.

This is definitely electric, blues guitar, & band blues at it's very best. Albert even goes out into the audience playing his electric, Fender Telocaster. He was an excellent entertainer. This dvd is simply "Awesome"!!!

The amazon product description gives the song list, so there's no need to repeat that here.

The total running time is about 102 minutes.

Albert has a great backing band as follows:
The line-up in the 1992 concert is:
Albert Collins - Electric Guitar, Lead Vocals
Peter Thoennes - Electric guitar
Bobby Alexis - Keyboards
Jon Smith - Saxaphone
Steve Howard - Trumpet
Johnny B. Gayden - Electric Bass guitar
Marty Binden - Drums

The line-up for the 1979 portion is:
Albert Collins - Electric guitar, lead vocals
A.C.Reed - Tenor Saxaphone, vocals
Larry Burton - electric guitar
Aron Burton - Electric Bass guitar, vocals
Casey Jones - Drums, vocals
Special Guest Artist - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Electric guitar

So with the depth & breath, of musicians performing in these concerts, you get great sound quaity, and also great visual quality. If you like Electric, Texas Blues, then you will really enjoy this dvd. Thanks!!!

Transaction was good and if your a Albert Collins fan this is a must buy.You won't be sorry.

Not only is Albert Collins a good musician. He's a good performer. The way he engages the audience and the way he makes you keep an eye on him because he knows he is the show. This performance at Montreux is something else. But of course the gem is his earlier performance with A C Reed on sax. The live disc with A C Reed singing Jealous Man will always be my favorite.

I got goose bumps upon hearing that a new Albert Collins CD was being released. I was disappointed when I found out the it's little different from the Live 92'-93' CD. The 92'-93' CD was recorded at Montreaux as were the songs on this CD. There's not much that this CD adds for Albert Collins fans. If you have the 92'-93' CD, then download the dirty dishes but, and you're there.

Sure some of the songs on this CD are different takes, but they're essentially the same. The CD includes a fantastic Johnny B. Gayton bass solo though.

Nevertheless, Albert Collins and the Icebreakers are fantastic! Albert Collins matured and grew and became better and better up until the day he died. This is his latest work and, in my opinion, his best.