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.
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