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Tag: Coco Montoya

  • Coco Montoya – People Just Let Me Cry

    Coco Montoya – People Just Let Me Cry

    The Fiery Soul of the Blues: My Journey with Coco Montoya

    You know that moment when you hear a guitarist for the first time and just know they’re the real deal? That was me, sometime in the late ’90s, flipping through CDs at a record shop (remember those?), when the guy behind the counter slipped on Just Let Go. A few notes in—bam. That big, fat Strat tone, full of fire and feeling, came pouring out of the speakers. Then came that voice—gravelly, soulful, lived-in. I looked up and said, Who the hell is this?

    The guy grinned. “Coco Montoya,” he said. “You’re about to become a fan.”

    And man, was he right.


    A Bluesman’s Bluesman

    Coco Montoya didn’t stumble into the blues—he earned his stripes. Born in California in 1951, he started off as a drummer, believe it or not. But fate had bigger plans.

    He got his first major break playing drums behind none other than Albert Collins, the Master of the Telecaster himself. And get this—Albert didn’t just mentor Coco, he taught him how to play guitar, too. Not with books or scales, but the way blues should be taught—by feel, by fire, and by watching and learning night after night.

    After paying his dues with Collins, Coco spent a decade playing with the legendary John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. That’s the same band that launched Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor—and Coco picked up the torch with style.


    A Lefty with a Right Hook

    Let’s get one thing straight: Coco’s playing is anything but polite. He’s a left-handed guitarist who plays a right-handed guitar flipped upside down—strings and all. That unorthodox setup gives him a wild, unpredictable sound full of bends, wails, and stinging leads that go places you don’t expect.

    His solos are emotional explosions—not technical exercises. When he lets loose on a slow blues, you feel like you’re standing in the middle of a thunderstorm. And when he turns up the heat? Forget about it. You’ll be grinning through the flames.


    That Voice? It Hurts So Good

    Coco’s voice doesn’t get enough love, in my opinion. It’s raw. Raspy. A little rough around the edges—and that’s exactly what makes it perfect. You can hear the miles in it. He sings like a man who’s loved hard, lost harder, and lived to tell the tale.

    Whether he’s growling through a slow burner or cutting loose on a roadhouse rocker, there’s honesty in every note. It’s not slick. It’s soulful. And it hits home.


    Albums That Made Me a Believer

    Coco’s catalog is deep, and there’s not a dud in the bunch. But here are the albums that hooked me—and still knock me out today:

    • 🔥 Just Let Go (1997) – The first one I heard, and still one of the best. A killer mix of slow blues, funk, and fire.
    • 🎸 Can’t Look Back (2002) – Loaded with emotion, with some of Coco’s finest vocals and guitar work.
    • 🎤 Songs from the Road (2014) – A live album that captures the real Coco: passionate, powerful, and raw.
    • 💥 Hard Truth (2017) – Blues for grown folks. Mature, tight, and full of heart.
    • 🕶️ Writing on the Wall (2023) – His most recent release, and one of his strongest yet. Proof that Coco’s still growing, still evolving.

    Seeing Coco Montoya Live? Buckle Up.

    I’ve seen Coco live a few times over the years, and each show felt like a house party where the walls might collapse from joy and volume. He’s electric on stage—grinning, sweating, shredding, testifying. He tells stories between songs, cracks jokes, and then turns around and plays a solo so full of pain you forget how to breathe.

    One show, he launched into “I Want It All Back,” and you could feel the room change. People stopped talking. They leaned in. The man wasn’t just singing—he was confessing. That’s what blues is supposed to be.


    Why Coco Still Burns Bright

    Coco Montoya is one of the few blues players who bridges the classic and the modern. He’s got deep roots—Albert Collins, John Mayall—but he’s not stuck in the past. He plays with urgency, with now-energy. Every album feels fresh, like he’s still chasing the truth with every note.

    He doesn’t get the same headlines as some other blues guitar heroes, but among those who know—he’s royalty. And to me, he’s one of the most honest musicians working today.


    Where to Begin

    New to Coco? Here’s your starter kit:

    • 🎧 Just Let Go – The classic.
    • 🎶 Hard Truth – A modern masterpiece.
    • 🎤 Songs from the Road – To hear the fire in real time.
    • 💿 Writing on the Wall – His most recent, and still climbing.

    And above all—go see him live if you get the chance. You’ll leave with sore feet, a full heart, and a new favorite bluesman.

    More info at cocomontoyaband.com.


    Coco Montoya plays the blues like he’s got nothing to prove—just everything to give. And after decades of soul, sweat, and scorching solos, he’s still out there lighting up stages and hearts alike. Long live the fire.

    Thank You

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Coco Montoya – Love Jail

    Coco Montoya – Love Jail

    Coco Montoya: A Torchbearer of the Modern Blues

    Coco Montoya is one of the most electrifying figures in contemporary blues. With a deeply soulful voice and a guitar style that sizzles with intensity, Montoya has earned a place among the elite of modern bluesmen. Over the course of his dynamic career, he has carried the torch of blues tradition while adding his own unmistakable voice to the genre.

    From Santa Monica to the Blues World

    Born on October 2, 1951, in Santa Monica, California, Coco Montoya’s early musical journey began on the drums. It wasn’t until later that he switched to guitar—a move that would define his legacy. His musical path took a dramatic turn in the mid-1970s when he was discovered by blues icon Albert Collins. Initially joining Collins’ band as a drummer, Montoya found a mentor in Collins, who began teaching him guitar in his distinctive style. Montoya learned by watching, listening, and feeling, ultimately adopting a left-handed, upside-down playing technique that mirrors the likes of Albert King.

    John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers Era

    Coco’s big break as a guitarist came when he joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, a legendary band that had once been home to the likes of Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor. Montoya served in the band for over ten years, sharpening his skills and developing a confident stage presence. His tenure with Mayall helped solidify his identity as a blues guitarist of immense power and sensitivity.

    Solo Career and Artistic Identity

    Montoya stepped out as a solo artist in the 1990s, bringing a fresh energy to the blues scene. His debut album, Gotta Mind to Travel (1995), set the tone for a prolific solo career. Over the years, his discography has grown to include standout albums like Just Let Go (1997), Suspicion (2000), and I Want It All Back (2010).

    Montoya’s guitar work is expressive and explosive—fueled by emotion rather than flash. His vocals complement his playing, with a gritty, impassioned delivery that conveys the heartache and resilience central to blues music. Whether delivering slow-burning ballads or high-octane shuffles, Montoya brings authenticity and fire to every performance.

    Stage Presence and Collaborations

    Known for his relentless touring schedule, Coco Montoya has built a reputation as a captivating live performer. He connects with audiences through powerful storytelling, both in song and in presence. He has toured with greats like B.B. King and Robert Cray, and his concerts remain a celebration of the blues in its purest and most thrilling form.

    Montoya’s collaborations and influence extend beyond the stage. He is frequently cited as an inspiration by younger musicians who are drawn to his passionate playing and dedication to the genre. His commitment to honoring the blues’ past while pushing its boundaries makes him a vital force in modern blues.

    Continued Impact and Recent Work

    Montoya’s more recent albums—Hard Truth (2017), Coming in Hot (2019), and Writing on the Wall (2023)—demonstrate that he is not content to rest on past successes. These releases showcase an artist who is constantly evolving, refining his sound, and exploring new emotional terrain.

    With a career spanning over four decades, Coco Montoya remains a tireless ambassador of the blues. His playing is steeped in tradition yet unmistakably his own. As long as he’s on stage or in the studio, the blues is in good hands. Coco Montoya doesn’t just play the blues—he lives it, breathes it, and passes it on with every note.

    Thank you Coco Montoya fans

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool

    Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool

    Coco Montoya

    Born Henry Montoya in Santa Monica, California in 1951 right into a worker’s family. He was quickly drawn to the songs he discovered in his mom’s and dads’ unique record compilation. Rock, big band jazz, salsa as well as doo-wop all sharpened his hunger. Also he was quickly picking melodies on guitar prior to gravitating to the drums. Years of lessons as well as the practice followed, and like lots of teens of the ’60s, Montoya was soon playing drums in a collection of local rock bands.

    coco-montoya 1

    In 1969, nevertheless, the young drummer obtained his first taste of fate. He attended a Creedence Clearwater Revival/Iron Butterfly performance at the Forum in Inglewood. Opening up the show was blues guitar excellent Albert King. This set left Coco Montoya transformed. Mentally drained yet spiritually uplifted by King’s music, Montoya linked immediately to cries. His future path, though not immediate, was for life changed that evening.

    Montoya continued playing drums in a number of local rock bands. By the mid-’70s he had gotten on-the-road encounters through the periodic regional trip. Among those bands played weekends at a small club in Culver City, and Montoya would certainly often get his gear the complying with day. One Sunday, bluesman Albert Collins was set up to play a matinee there, and the club proprietor gave Collins consent to make use of Montoya’s drums. When Montoya came down there to grab his devices, he found it had actually been implemented by somebody else, which left him a little bit dismayed with the club proprietor. But after talking to Collins by phone, Montoya wound up remaining around for Collins’s next show, or even sat in on his very own drums. Once again, Montoya found a prompt link to the music.

    Call out of the blue

    A few months later Montoya got a call out of the blue. It was Collins. He was seriously in need of a drummer for a Northwest excursion. Montoya said yes. Couple hours later the guitar player picked him up. He would spend the following 5 years playing drums with Collins’ band. It was the start of his education in the blues as taught by the guitarist nicknamed the Iceman. Both artists became quite close. Collins described Montoya as his ‘boy’. It had not been long before Montoya again grabbed the guitar. Collins spent many hours in his spare time with Montoya becoming a mentor to a young student. He instilling in him the rule, “Don’t consider it, merely play it.”.

    Cocco Montoya solo project

    In 1995, Montoya launched his first solo project. Gotta Mind to Travel, at first in Europe on Silvertone Records and after that in the United States on the Blind Pig. In the middle of important acclaim, it right away caught on with blues fans and radio developers, and the following year Coco Montoya was chosen for 4 Blues Music Awards (then called the Handys, offered by the Blues Foundation); he won for Best New Blues Artist.

    Born in Santa Monica, Montoya played drums for a neighborhood rock band that explored the area throughout the mid-’70s, playing in location clubs. Although he had recently been turned on to blues at an Albert King show, he was somewhat unprepared to sit in with an additional blues tale– “the Iceman” Albert Collins– when a bar-owner pal of Montoya welcomed the bluesman to play at his bar. Though his lack of experience showed, the young drummer amazed Collins enough to employ him for a Pacific Northwest excursion 3 months later on. The excursion quickly finished. Both are affiliations stayed for greater than 5 years. Montoya learned much regarding the handling of blues guitar from “the Master of the Telecaster.”.

    Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool
    Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Coco Montoya  – Slow Blues

    Coco Montoya – Slow Blues

    Coco Montoya

    Coco Montoya is the former guitarist of John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. He joined the group after Mayall heard him play in 1984 in Los Angeles, where he celebrated his birthday and Montoya played. The cooperation of both bluesmen lasted for 10 years. Previously, Montoya performed with Albert Collins, from whom he learned the “icy hot” style. The Santa Monica-born guitarist’s career began with this collaboration.

    Montoya is a self-taught guitarist different from the rest. He plays with his left hand, and additionally on an upside-down guitar. – I’ve never had any lessons. I tried to watch other guitarists and capture what they were doing with their fingers and fingers. It was the same with Albert King. We sat down and played. He always told me not to think during the game, but to feel. I don’t know all the tricks, but I know I can express all my emotions with my play, ”said Montoya.

    After many years of performing on many blues stages in the company of great musicians, Montoya himself gained a lot of recognition. Guitar One Magazine described him as “the hottest blues pitcher” and raved about his masterful touch and “killer tone”.

    In 1993, Montoya began his solo career. To date, the guitarist from Santa Monica has released 9 albums. The latest, “Songs form the Road” was released in mid-2014.

    Recordings

    All 11 of Coco’s albums are available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3egYBD9
    1. Coming In Hot – 2019
    2. Hard Truth – 2017
    3. Songs From the Road – 2014
    4. I Want It All Back – 2010
    5. The Essential Coco Montoya – 2009
    6. Dirty Deal – 2007
    7. Can’t Look Back – 2002
    8. Suspicion – 2000
    9. Just Let Go – 1997
    10. Ya Think I’d Know Better – 1996
    11. Gotta Mind To Travel – 1995

    Our quality blues t-shirts are perfect for your next music festival, concert or jam, and make great gifts.

    blues music t-shirts

  • Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool

    Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool

    Coco Montoya

    Born Henry Montoya in Santa Monica, California in 1951 right into a worker’s family. He was quickly drawn to the songs he discovered in his mom’s and dads’ unique record compilation. Rock, big band jazz, salsa as well as doo-wop all sharpened his hunger. Also he was quickly picking melodies on guitar prior to gravitating to the drums. Years of lessons as well as the practice followed, and like lots of teens of the ’60s, Montoya was soon playing drums in a collection of local rock bands.

    coco-montoya 1

    In 1969, nevertheless, the young drummer obtained his first taste of fate. He attended a Creedence Clearwater Revival/Iron Butterfly performance at the Forum in Inglewood. Opening up the show was blues guitar excellent Albert King. This set left Coco Montoya transformed. Mentally drained yet spiritually uplifted by King’s music, Montoya linked immediately to cries. His future path, though not immediate, was for life changed that evening.

    Montoya continued playing drums in a number of local rock bands. By the mid-’70s he had gotten on-the-road encounters through the periodic regional trip. Among those bands played weekends at a small club in Culver City, and Montoya would certainly often get his gear the complying with day. One Sunday, bluesman Albert Collins was set up to play a matinee there, and the club proprietor gave Collins consent to make use of Montoya’s drums. When Montoya came down there to grab his devices, he found it had actually been implemented by somebody else, which left him a little bit dismayed with the club proprietor. But after talking to Collins by phone, Montoya wound up remaining around for Collins’s next show, or even sat in on his very own drums. Once again, Montoya found a prompt link to the music.

    Call out of the blue

    A few months later Montoya got a call out of the blue. It was Collins. He was seriously in need of a drummer for a Northwest excursion. Montoya said yes. Couple hours later the guitar player picked him up. He would spend the following 5 years playing drums with Collins’ band. It was the start of his education in the blues as taught by the guitarist nicknamed the Iceman. Both artists became quite close. Collins described Montoya as his ‘boy’. It had not been long before Montoya again grabbed the guitar. Collins spent many hours in his spare time with Montoya becoming a mentor to a young student. He instilling in him the rule, “Don’t consider it, merely play it.”.

    Cocco Montoya solo project

    In 1995, Montoya launched his first solo project. Gotta Mind to Travel, at first in Europe on Silvertone Records and after that in the United States on the Blind Pig. In the middle of important acclaim, it right away caught on with blues fans and radio developers, and the following year Coco Montoya was chosen for 4 Blues Music Awards (then called the Handys, offered by the Blues Foundation); he won for Best New Blues Artist.

    Born in Santa Monica, Montoya played drums for a neighborhood rock band that explored the area throughout the mid-’70s, playing in location clubs. Although he had recently been turned on to blues at an Albert King show, he was somewhat unprepared to sit in with an additional blues tale– “the Iceman” Albert Collins– when a bar-owner pal of Montoya welcomed the bluesman to play at his bar. Though his lack of experience showed, the young drummer amazed Collins enough to employ him for a Pacific Northwest excursion 3 months later on. The excursion quickly finished. Both are affiliations stayed for greater than 5 years. Montoya learned much regarding the handling of blues guitar from “the Master of the Telecaster.”.

    Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool
    Coco Montoya – Women Have A Way With A Fool

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Coco Montoya  – Slow Blues

    Coco Montoya – Slow Blues

    Coco Montoya

    Coco Montoya is the former guitarist of John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. He joined the group after Mayall heard him play in 1984 in Los Angeles, where he celebrated his birthday and Montoya played. The cooperation of both bluesmen lasted for 10 years. Previously, Montoya performed with Albert Collins, from whom he learned the “icy hot” style. The Santa Monica-born guitarist’s career began with this collaboration.

    Montoya is a self-taught guitarist different from the rest. He plays with his left hand, and additionally on an upside-down guitar. – I’ve never had any lessons. I tried to watch other guitarists and capture what they were doing with their fingers and fingers. It was the same with Albert King. We sat down and played. He always told me not to think during the game, but to feel. I don’t know all the tricks, but I know I can express all my emotions with my play, ”said Montoya.

    After many years of performing on many blues stages in the company of great musicians, Montoya himself gained a lot of recognition. Guitar One Magazine described him as “the hottest blues pitcher” and raved about his masterful touch and “killer tone”.

    In 1993, Montoya began his solo career. To date, the guitarist from Santa Monica has released 9 albums. The latest, “Songs form the Road” was released in mid-2014.

    Recordings

    All 11 of Coco’s albums are available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3egYBD9
    1. Coming In Hot – 2019
    2. Hard Truth – 2017
    3. Songs From the Road – 2014
    4. I Want It All Back – 2010
    5. The Essential Coco Montoya – 2009
    6. Dirty Deal – 2007
    7. Can’t Look Back – 2002
    8. Suspicion – 2000
    9. Just Let Go – 1997
    10. Ya Think I’d Know Better – 1996
    11. Gotta Mind To Travel – 1995

    Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jwwiTewxAc

    Coco Montoya - Slow Blues
    Coco Montoya – Slow Blues

    Thank You Coco Montoya Fans!

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.