Given his past work with starmaker John Mayall and Albert Collins, it's no surprise that Coco Montoya has turned out solid, consistent blues-rock since his debut in 1995. Can't Look Back is his second album since his move ... more »to Alligator Records, and it's very similar to 2000's Suspicion in sound and structure. That means it's a collection of energetic, taut blues-rock with originals that hold their own with the covers, although Collins's "Same Old Thing" does stand out. Other highlights include the tightly wound "Running Away from Love," the strangely pyrotechnic "Can't See the Streets for My Tears," and the tension generated by the contrast between music and lyrics on the title track. Overall, Montoya is settling nicely into a classic blues-rock sound that generates its own momentum and showcases his considerable talent. --Genevieve Williams« less
Given his past work with starmaker John Mayall and Albert Collins, it's no surprise that Coco Montoya has turned out solid, consistent blues-rock since his debut in 1995. Can't Look Back is his second album since his move to Alligator Records, and it's very similar to 2000's Suspicion in sound and structure. That means it's a collection of energetic, taut blues-rock with originals that hold their own with the covers, although Collins's "Same Old Thing" does stand out. Other highlights include the tightly wound "Running Away from Love," the strangely pyrotechnic "Can't See the Streets for My Tears," and the tension generated by the contrast between music and lyrics on the title track. Overall, Montoya is settling nicely into a classic blues-rock sound that generates its own momentum and showcases his considerable talent. --Genevieve Williams
"Coco has not released a good album since his early blind pig days. When he jumped ship and went to alligator I all but wrote him off. When "Suspicion" was released my worst fears were realized. This talented former Collins/Mayall axeman morphed into a syrupy pseudo R&B artist. When "Can't Look Back" was recently released I held my breath and sampled a few tunes. Pleasantly surprised, I actually like most of the disc. Though not a total homerun, Coco did bring back some of the edgy blues I know he can crank out. It is a varied album and I do skip a few tunes, but overall a big improvement over suspicion. Coco is a masterful player with a great tenor voice. I just wish his recordings could capture the intesity of his live shows -especially those in the micro venues. I remember the days of old at max capacity 30 people CJ's in Pasadena, CA...whew Coco blew the doors off that place."
A New Direction!
deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 08/02/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After several mediocre releases on Blind Pig, Coco Montoya switched labels a couple of years ago opting to try his luck with Alligator. This is Coco's second release on Alligator Records and probably his best outing in many years. Alligator has had a lot of success over the years, jump starting and breathing new fire into stalled careers, most notably, Johnny Winter, Hound Dog Taylor, Buddy Guy, Luther Allison and now, Coco Montoya. On this disc, Coco can be heard to play his solos in a manner that would make his mentor, Albert Collins smile from ear to ear. The songs themselves have a rockish/popish quality both in the rhythms and the lyrics. While this is somewhat refreshing and at times enjoyable, Coco's vocals don't always suit the bill. "I Won't Beg", "Can't See The Streets" and "Free" all have a familiar sound that will have you trying to pin point where you have heard it before. Best blues cut on the disc is probably, "Back In A Cadillac"."
Can't Look Back -- Coco Montoya
Jeffrey E. Summerton | Mullica Hill, NJ USA | 07/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Probably the best of all of his albums in terms of evenness and quality of songs, although I prefer the more bluesy first album Gotta Mind to Travel. A number of standouts, including the slow blues Can't See the Street for My Tears with an interesting chord progression/pattern and the funky and fun Women Have a Way with a Fool and Back in a Cadillac. The nicely textured cut Holding Out for You is on a par with Am I Losing You off the first album -- while both are poignant, Losing You is about anguish and doubt; Holding Out is about love realized. The final cut is a nice tune about beating a "jones" or addiction. Overall, the mixes are tight and smooth, with the exemplary guitar work CM cranks out -- this is a strong CD that serves up some hot Coco."
LOCO FOR COCO
Jeffrey E. Summerton | 03/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I ran out and bought this cd after experiencing Coco's 2 hour show at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival last year. I had been trying to catch up with his live show for years, and the wait was worth it. It was a guitar clinic that seasoned ax players would salivate over. The cd carries the rollicking good time that the live shows give us, but of course, the songs are all crystal clear and perfect. "Same Old Thing" and "Back in a Cadillac" are standouts, but "Something About You", is a great rocking tune and I dare you to sit through it during his live show. In person, he definitely kicks it up several notches, with his blue strat reverberrating, or the chorus pedal effect kicked in, each song is uniquely different than the last.I drove to Portland to catch Coco again in October and just recently a couple months ago again in the same town. He must really like it there. Folks, go out of your way to catch him live. The last show I experienced clocked in at 3 hours. No lie. The man is a master, and is always ready to meet anyone after the show.
A class act, I will be more than ready for his next cd release!"
Back To The Blues
Wade C. Boring | Springfield, IL United States | 07/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"With this release Coco returns to a style more like Gotta Mind To Travel. The production and songwriting are on par with Suspicion, but the sound is cleaner and more straight blues than the rock oriented Suspicion. I personally liked the harder edge of his last release but many of his longtime fans wanted a return to his older style and it looks like they got it. Great keyboard work from Benny Ye and a tight rhythm section along with Coco's always tastey guitar work make this an enjoyable ride for both blues and rock fans."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
