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]
The 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
The 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."[6] 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]
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.[5]
Liner notes
According 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!"
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