Ya Think I'd Know Better is the second album by the American musician Coco Montoya, released in 1996.[1][2] It peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's Blues Albums chart and was one of the year's best selling independent blues releases.[3][4] Montoya supported the album with a North American tour.[5] It was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best contemporary blues album.[6]
| Ya Think I'd Know Better | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Studio | 315 Beale | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Bling Pig | |||
| Producer | Jim Gaines | |||
| Coco Montoya chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editRecorded at 315 Beale, in Memphis, the album was produced by Jim Gaines.[6][7] Montoya decided to record a more low-key album, forgoing the many guest musicians on his debut.[8] He contributed only one songwriting credit.[9] Lee Roy Parnell played guitar on the title track.[10] "Hiding Place" was written by Warren Haynes.[11] "Dyin' Flu" was written by Albert Collins, Montoya's mentor and former employer.[12] "Fool in Love" is a cover of the Ike Turner song.[13]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [14] |
| MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide | [15] |
| The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | [13] |
Stereo Review wrote that "Montoya is living proof that you don't have to be from the Deep South to get a grip on the blues."[8] The Wall Street Journal noted the album in its year-end review, praising the Albert King-like "meaty sound."[16] The Ottawa Citizen said that "the fiery intensity of his guitar work is kept in check by a clean and precise vocal delivery."[17] The Lake Geneva Regional News stated that the album "shows off his biting guitar tone" and "shuffling grooves".[18]
AllMusic concluded that "even those familiar with his gutsy, electrifying style will be taken aback by the stylistic variety and musical depth."[14]
Track listing
edit- "Monkey See, Monkey Do"
- "Seven Desires"
- "Hiding Place"
- "The Heart of Soul"
- "Tumbleweed"
- "Fool in Love"
- "Can't Get My Ass in Gear"
- "You'd Think I'd Know Better by Now"
- "Big Boy Pete"
- "Too Much of a Good Thing"
- "Dyin' Flu"
References
edit- ^ Morris, Chris (Jun 22, 1996). "Flag Waving". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 25. p. 73.
- ^ Krewen, Nick (28 June 1996). "Blues artist Montoya goes his own way". The Record. Kitchener. p. C6.
- ^ "Coco Montoya". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ Wolgamott, L. Kent (10 July 1998). "Coco Montoya: Blues Are Now Serious Business". Ground Zero. Lincoln Journal Star. p. 12.
- ^ Rosen, Steven (5 July 1996). "Concert Buzz". The Denver Post. p. E17.
- ^ a b Ellis, Bill (Jan 17, 1997). "Allison leads Handy award nominations". The Commercial Appeal. p. A15.
- ^ Wolgamott, L. Kent (22 June 2007). "Making a connection". Lincoln Journal Star. p. X12.
- ^ a b Albertson, Chris (Sep 1996). "Coco Montoya: Ya Think I'd Know Better". Stereo Review. Vol. 61, no. 9. p. 108.
- ^ Beck, John (23 June 2002). "Blues Lessons Learned". The Press Democrat. p. Q15.
- ^ Cooper, B. Lee (Fall 1996). "Ya Think I'd Know Better Coco Montoya". Popular Music and Society. 20 (3): 129–130.
- ^ Bialczak, Mark (13 Nov 1996). "Montoya Brings Guitar Blues to Dino". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. E5.
- ^ Fink, Jerry (26 Feb 2009). "Blue not the only color in Montoya's box of crayons". Arts. Las Vegas Sun. p. 7.
- ^ a b The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 468.
- ^ a b "Ya Think I'd Know Better Review by Thom Owens". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 269.
- ^ Fusilli, Jim (2 Jan 1997). "The year in rock, blues, country and jazz". The Wall Street Journal. p. A4:1.
- ^ "Blues". The Ottawa Citizen. 17 Apr 1997. p. D3.
- ^ Burke, Jack (Aug 15, 1996). "The Wax Works". Lake Geneva Regional News. p. 83.