"This is not the best of Albert Collins, but a bunch of re-recordings of his best songs made at the end of his career. If you're new to Albert Collins buy Ice Pickin' or Cold Snap for a more rockin' sounding Collins. This is more for the completist."
If you are a true blues fan...
Shawn Tzu | 02/04/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is great, yet if you are expecting a real blues of Mr.Collins this is not the one. For a true blues fan I recommend "Alive and Cool" in stead of this CD."
One of the greatest bluesmen of all time!
Shawn Tzu | Seattle, WA United States | 09/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What separates a good player from a master is the little things. Albert Collins was a true master of the blues whose piercing playing could send chills down the spine. One of the few players who could rival the intensity of Albert King, Collins like King (who cited Collins as his favourite player) forged his own unique style that countless guitarists have tried to emulate (including yours truly) but none have successfully duplicated it. Of course that was the idea as Albert saw it - create your own means of expressing yourself through the instrument. This album captured Collins in excellent form covering a retrospective of songs spanning thirty odd years of his career. Guests on the album include the great BB King (on one of Albert's signature instrumentals 'Frosty'), Gary Moore (on the slow burning 'Time is Money'), and old Tonight Show band frontman Branford Marsalis trades licks with Albert on 'Honey Hush'. Without prejudicing the other tracks on this album, some of the standouts to me include (other than the ones already listed) 'Tired Man' (a slow shuffle blues with harmonica accompanyment), 'The Moon is Full' (Albert's solid backing band is particularly funky on this one), Mastercharge (a funny song with possibly my favourite Collins guitar solo on this album), and 'Collins Mix': a musical mosaic of how to let one's guitar do the talking - few could compare to Collins in this area. I know some of the reviewers have personal album favourites of theirs but in my opinion this is the best Collins album because it is a solid retrospective. And unlike a lot of "greatest hits" compilations, this one lives up to its billing and showcases a legend who never received the degree of acclaim that he should have. For lovers of good music, 'Collins Mix' belongs on your music rack."
Sweet blues
Shawn Tzu | 06/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had never heard of Albert Collins when I bought this album. Although he is not my favorite guitar player, he is awesome and this album rocks. Chock full of great tunes, the album has an upbeat feel to it. The backing musicians are outstanding. The sax solo on track 6 is fantastic, and the bass is excellent across the album. A great collection of blues, and a proper introduction to the "iceman.""