Albert Collins: The Iceman
Tutor Richard Barrett | Gear used Knaggs Choptank & Vox AC15 C1
Difficulty
| 15 mins per example
KNOWN AS THE ICEMAN and master of the Telecaster, Albert Collins is also revered for his flamboyant stage presence and piercing tone. However, listening back to his early recordings, you’ll also discover a pioneer of electric blues with a distinctive turn of phrase and a driven tone that didn’t become mainstream until several years later.
To hear this in action, listen to his debut solo single,, from 1958 or, continuing with the ice-based, another great example that became his signature tune (and the inspiration for these example licks). Recorded in 1964 but gaining more notoriety after its reissue in 1969, was way ahead of the curve concerning the 60s blues resurgence. It was recorded using the neck pickup, relatively unusual for Albert, but his playing still cuts through the mix with ease.
