Ice Pickin' is a studio album by Albert Collins, released in 1978.[7][8] It was Collins's breakthrough album.[4] Ice Pickin' was nominated for a 1979 Grammy Award.[9]
| Ice Pickin' | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1978 | |||
| Recorded | By Freddie Breitberg | |||
| Studio | Curtom Studios (Chicago, Illinois) | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Length | 36:48 | |||
| Label | Alligator ALCD 4713[1] | |||
| Producer | Bruce Iglauer, Richard McLeese & Dick Shurman | |||
| Albert Collins chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [2] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | A−[3] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [4] |
| The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | + “Crown”[6] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [5] |
Production
editThe album was recorded at Curtom Studios, in Chicago.[10] The Guardian wrote of Collins's guitar technique: "Collins had developed a highly distinctive approach to the guitar, tuning it to a D minor chord and using a capo high up the neck to achieve a sharp, brilliant effect, his 'ice-cold, sheet-metal sound' that was mirrored in the name of his band, The Icebreakers."[11]
Critical reception
editThe Bay State Banner thought that "when Collins cooks, with fluent riffs and humorous vocals plus innovative tuning and incorporation of minor blues keys, the result is masterful."[12] The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote that the album "burrows down to the real nitty gritty of urban existence ... it's one of the best '70s blues albums."[5] The Chicago Tribune called the album "a classic."[10] The Iowa City Press-Citizen called it "a cool, invigorating blast across the era's barren blues landscape."[13] The Dayton Daily News wrote that Collins "made several other stellar releases before his untimely demise in '93, but none match the muscle and depth of this certifiable classic."[14]
Melody Maker deemed it the best blues album of 1978, as did the Montreaux Jazz Festival.[15]
In addition to a four stars out of four rating, the authors of The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings awarded the album a “Crown”, indicating that they considered it to be an exceptional CD, and one that should be part of any blues collection.[6]
Liner notes
editAccording to the inside cover of the album:
Albert King names Collins as his favorite guitarist, and John Lee Hooker declares, "I'm an Albert Collins freak!"
Track listing
edit- "Honey, Hush! (Talking Woman Blues)" (Lowell Fulson, Ferdinand Washington) - 04:28
- "When the Welfare Turns Its Back on You" (Lucious Porter Weaver, Sonny Thompson) - 05:26
- "Ice Pick" (Collins) - 03:08
- "Cold, Cold Feeling" (Jessie Mae Robinson) - 05:19
- "Too Tired" (Saul Bihari, Maxwell Davis, Johnny "Guitar" Watson) - 03:00
- "Master Charge" (Gwen Collins) - 05:12
- "Conversation with Collins" (Collins) - 08:52
- "Avalanche" (Collins) - 02:39
Personnel
edit- Albert Collins - guitar, vocals
- Larry Burton - guitar
- Allen Batts - keyboards
- Aron Burton - bass
- Casey Jones - drums
- A.C. Reed - tenor saxophone
- Chuck Smith - baritone saxophone
References
edit- ^ Komara, Edward (2006). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Psychology Press. p. 220.
- ^ "AllMusic Review by Thom Owens". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: C". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 23, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. pp. 479–480.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 152–153.
- ^ a b Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.
- ^ "Artist Biography by Richard Skelly". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ "Albert Collins; Award-Winning Blues Guitarist, Recording Artist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ "GRAMMY Award Results for Albert Collins". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ a b "BLUES FANS IN A DEEP FREEZE OVER LOSS OF ALBERT COLLINS". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Russell, Tony (30 Nov 1993). "Ice-cold blues straight from the hip Obituary: Albert Collins". The Guardian.
- ^ "Shades of Blue". Bay State Banner: 14. 21 Dec 1978.
- ^ Weber, Tim (9 Dec 2004). "Ice Pickin' Albert Collins". Iowa City Press-Citizen: D2.
- ^ Thrasher, Don (25 Apr 2006). "25 blues CDs worth shouting about". Dayton Daily News: D7.
- ^ "Guitar Wizard Albert Collins To Perform With Icebreakers". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 28 March 2021.