finetune artist: Albert Collins/Cray/Copeland

b. 3 October 1932, Leona, Texas, USA, d. 24 November 1993, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Collins was the embodiment of the Texas blues guitar style, using non-standard tuning, and slashing out blocked chords and sharp flurries of treble notes (played without a plectrum) to produce an "ice-cold" sound from his Fender Telecaster. As a youth he developed his style by listening to fellow-Texan Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Frankie Lee Sims and his own cousin Willow Young. His first singles, released from 1958 onwards on small local labels, were exciting shuffle instrumentals, of which "The Freeze" and "Frosty" became blues standards, but it was not until the late 60s that he was confident enough to use his laconic, understated singing voice with any regularity. A series of splendid studio and live albums over the following years extended his basic Texas style across the boundaries of jazz and funk, and established him as a major international blues attraction. His stage shows, which often included a walk through the audience as he played his guitar on its 100-foot lead, were memorable events.

Listen to Albert Collins/Cray/Copeland at Finetune.

(1985) Showdown!

T-Bone Shuffle
Bring Your Fine Self Home
Black Cat Bone
Lion's Den
She's Into Something