Albert Collins Albums (20)
'The Iceman at Mount Fuji'
Release Date 2/15/2005
Tracks 12
Label Fuel 2000
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What The Critics Say
The Iceman at Mount Fuji is a live recording from the 1992 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, capturing Albert Collins at the height of his powers in the year before his death. Collins was always an electrifying performer whether at a large festival or a small club, and this recording has his guitar way out front, as it should be. In fact, at many points during the set you can hear the ringing of his guitar on the verge of feedback. And his playing is fantastic; there is no holding back or playing it safe. He hits some clams here and there, but is just ripping through the entire set. The bandmembers are polished and professional (almost too much so), but when it comes time for solos, they acquit themselves admirably. There's just one problem with this album: in presenting both of Collins' sets that day, four songs are given two performances each and two of those songs (four of the 12 tracks total) account for more than half the playing time of the entire album! Both sets are excellent, but hearing virtually the same program twice is a bit much. Although the liner notes give a good history of Collins' career, the packaging really obscures the fact that this is two nearly identical sets, so let the consumer beware. Serious fans of Albert Collins' guitar playing will find a lot to enjoy here: the Iceman was on fire for this performance, but the duplication of tracks may prove to be a disappointment to more casual fans. ~ Sean Westergaard, All Music Guide
'Thaw Out at the Fillmore'
Release Date 10/26/2004
Tracks 9
Label Snapper Music Group
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'Kangaroo Shuffle'
Release Date 12/13/2000
Tracks 18
Label Pony Canyon
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'Live at the Fillmore West'
Release Date 8/15/2000
Tracks 9
Label Catfish
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What The Critics Say
Ice Pickin' is the album that brought Albert Collins directly back into the limelight, and for good reason, too. The record captures the wild, unrestrained side of his playing that had never quite been documented before. Though his singing doesn't quite have the fire or power of his playing, the album doesn't suffer at all because of that -- he simply burns throughout the album. Ice Pickin' was his first release for Alligator Records and it set the pace for all the albums that followed. No matter how much he tried, Collins never completely regained the pure energy that made Ice Pickin' such a revelation. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
'The Hot 'Cool' Sound of Albert Collins'
Release Date 6/23/1998
Tracks 9
Label M.I.L. Multimedia
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What The Critics Say
Reissued domestically in 1998, Molten Ice captures Albert Collins live in Toronto in 1973 with backing by that city's Moe Peters Band. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Compiling a number of performances recorded shortly before Albert Collins' death, Live '92/'93 offers definitive proof that the guitarist remained vital until his last days. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Albert Collins doesn't change anything for his major label debut, Iceman. Like its predecessors, it is slick and professional, featuring a variety of shuffles, R&B tunes, and slow blues, all stamped with Collins's trademark icy wail. None of the songs or performances are particularly noteworthy, but Iceman is a solid set that delivers the goods for fans of his style. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
