Ya Think I'd Know Better

Last updated
Ya Think I'd Know Better
Ya Think I'd Know Better.jpg
Studio album by
Coco Montoya
Released1996
Studio315 Beale
Genre Blues
Label Blind Pig
Producer Jim Gaines
Coco Montoya chronology
Gotta Mind to Travel
(1995)		Ya Think I'd Know Better
(1996)		Just Let Go
(1997)

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]

Contents

Production

Recorded 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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [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

  1. "Monkey See, Monkey Do"
  2. "Seven Desires"
  3. "Hiding Place"
  4. "The Heart of Soul"
  5. "Tumbleweed"
  6. "Fool in Love"
  7. "Can't Get My Ass in Gear"
  8. "You'd Think I'd Know Better by Now"
  9. "Big Boy Pete"
  10. "Too Much of a Good Thing"
  11. "Dyin' Flu"

References

  1. ↑ Morris, Chris (Jun 22, 1996). "Flag Waving". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 25. p. 73.
  2. ↑ Krewen, Nick (28 June 1996). "Blues artist Montoya goes his own way". The Record. Kitchener. p. C6.
  3. ↑ "Coco Montoya". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Wolgamott, L. Kent (10 July 1998). "Coco Montoya: Blues Are Now Serious Business". Ground Zero. Lincoln Journal Star. p. 12.
  5. ↑ Rosen, Steven (5 July 1996). "Concert Buzz". The Denver Post. p. E17.
  6. 1 2 Ellis, Bill (Jan 17, 1997). "Allison leads Handy award nominations". The Commercial Appeal. p. A15.
  7. ↑ Wolgamott, L. Kent (22 June 2007). "Making a connection". Lincoln Journal Star. p. X12.
  8. 1 2 Albertson, Chris (Sep 1996). "Coco Montoya: Ya Think I'd Know Better". Stereo Review. Vol. 61, no. 9. p. 108.
  9. ↑ Beck, John (23 June 2002). "Blues Lessons Learned". The Press Democrat. p. Q15.
  10. ↑ Cooper, B. Lee (Fall 1996). "Ya Think I'd Know Better Coco Montoya". Popular Music and Society. 20 (3): 129–130.
  11. ↑ Bialczak, Mark (13 Nov 1996). "Montoya Brings Guitar Blues to Dino". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. E5.
  12. ↑ Fink, Jerry (26 Feb 2009). "Blue not the only color in Montoya's box of crayons". Arts. Las Vegas Sun. p. 7.
  13. 1 2 The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 468.
  14. 1 2 "Ya Think I'd Know Better Review by Thom Owens". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  15. ↑ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 269.
  16. ↑ Fusilli, Jim (2 Jan 1997). "The year in rock, blues, country and jazz". The Wall Street Journal. p. A4:1.
  17. ↑ "Blues". The Ottawa Citizen. 17 Apr 1997. p. D3.
  18. ↑ Burke, Jack (Aug 15, 1996). "The Wax Works". Lake Geneva Regional News. p. 83.
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