The Cool Fire of the Blues: How Coco Montoya Lit Up My Soul One Note at a Time
The first time I saw Coco Montoya live, I had no idea what to expect. I’d heard he used to play with John Mayall, that he was a disciple of Albert Collins. But when he stepped onstage, strapped on that upside-down Strat, and tore into “Too Much Water,” my jaw hit the floor.
That guitar tone—soaring, stinging, then suddenly tender. That voice—gravelly, warm, and weathered. He played like he had nothing to prove but everything to say.
From that moment on, I knew: Coco Montoya wasn’t just a bluesman—he was a storyteller with a six-string gospel.
From the Drums to the Front of the Stage
Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1951, Coco didn’t start his musical life as a guitarist—he was a drummer. And not just any drummer—he played behind Albert Collins, the “Master of the Telecaster.” That’s where the fire started.
Collins saw something in him and taught him to play guitar—not by reading notes, but by feeling the soul behind every string. Montoya eventually joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in the 1980s, stepping into a role previously filled by Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor. That alone says everything about how good he already was.
But it wasn’t until the mid-’90s that he struck out solo—and that’s when his real voice (and fire) started to shine.
The Sound: Lefty, Loose, and Lethal
Coco plays left-handed on an upside-down right-handed Strat, Albert Collins–style, without flipping the strings. The result? A raw, vocal, upside-down tone full of emotional bends and surprising phrasing.
He’s all feel—no overplaying, no flash for flash’s sake. When he rips into a solo, it’s not to show off—it’s to say something. His licks are like lines of dialogue: urgent, pleading, defiant, loving.
And his voice? Weathered and soulful, like a man who’s been through it but never gave up. You believe every word he sings.
Albums That Sealed the Deal for Me
Coco Montoya’s discography is one long love letter to blues and soul. Here’s where I fell in deep:
- 🎸 Gotta Mind to Travel (1995) – His solo debut. Raw, fresh, and completely unforgettable. A modern blues classic.
- 💿 Ya Think I’d Know Better (1996) – Gritty, funky, and full of attitude.
- 🎶 Just Let Go (1997) – A perfect blend of soul and blues. His guitar tone sings on this one.
- 🔥 Hard Truth (2017) – Polished and powerful. One of his most heartfelt albums.
- 🕯️ Writing on the Wall (2023) – His most recent and arguably most personal album. A bluesman looking back, still pushing forward.
Don’t miss tracks like “Am I Losing You,” “Good Days, Bad Days,” and “Back in a Cadillac.” These aren’t just songs—they’re chapters of his life.
Seeing Him Live: The Blues with a Human Touch
Coco Montoya live is not a shred fest—it’s a soul exchange. He plays with this relaxed confidence, like he’s talking to you, not at you. But then he’ll dig in—and that Strat will scream, cry, and whisper.
He makes every room feel intimate, even the big ones. He doesn’t posture. He connects. And when he plays a slow blues like “I Need Your Love in My Life,” it’s like time stops. I’ve seen grown men go silent. I’ve been one of them.
Why Coco Montoya Matters in Today’s Blues World
In a genre that can sometimes feel stuck in the past, Coco Montoya is authentic without being nostalgic. He honors the greats—Albert Collins, B.B. King, Mayall—but he doesn’t imitate. He feels forward.
He’s a rare breed: a guitarist with fire and restraint, a singer with vulnerability and grit, and a songwriter who knows that simplicity can hit hardest.
And in a scene that still has too few headlining guitarists who feel instead of flash, Coco is the real deal.
Where to Start If You’re New
Let Coco open the door:
- 🎧 Gotta Mind to Travel – Raw and real.
- 💿 Just Let Go – A masterclass in blues with soul.
- 🔥 Hard Truth – Later-era Coco with emotional weight.
- 📺 YouTube: Search “Coco Montoya live,” “Coco Montoya Just Let Go,” or “Am I Losing You” to see the man and his Strat in full flight.
More at cocomontoyaband.com
Coco Montoya doesn’t need flames, flash, or gimmicks. He just needs that Strat, that amp, and a story to tell. And every time I put him on, I remember why I fell in love with the blues in the first place—because sometimes, just one note from the heart says more than a thousand from the head. 🎸💙
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