Albert Collins (1932 - 1993) – The Master of the Telecaster

Also known as "The Ice Man" and "The Razor Blade", Albert Collins could be the coolest bluesman ever. The first time I listened to his music, I couldn’t help but tap my feet and ask myself: "where have I heard this?" His music has an implicit familiarity and is much more than just the blues. Sure, it follows a traditional blues structure, but it has a signature groove unheard in a blues guitar player.

Throughout the 1950’s he refined his sound and was very active in the local blues scene. However, it was until 1962, with the release of the singles Freeze and Frosty that his name became well known in the national and international blues scene (Frosty sold 1 million copies). He continued to use the "Ice" theme in his songs, nickname and even his band: The Icebreakers.

Following his temporary success in the 1960’s, he had to go back to keeping a low profile due to financial struggles. Fortunately, by then the "damage" had been done and his signature sound and style had been heard around the world! And a great style it was, admired by guitar legends ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton or Robert Cray. There is a little of Albert Collins’ magic in modern blues everywhere.

Thankfully, his retirement wasn’t permanent and it was in the mid 1980’s when he made it back to the spotlight. He was invited to perform at a Live Aid concert in 1985 and from there he gained mainstream popularity and then continued to tour and perform in various festivals around the world.

He passed away in 1993, victim of cancer. He left behind an innovative, original guitar style that inspired many guitar players everywhere. Most importantly, he gave the world a kind of music that is pure enjoyment for all.

Guitar Style

Albert Collins’ sound is unmistakeable. It takes few notes to recognize that signature crisp, bright, "icy" tone coming out of his Fender Telecaster. When analyzing his guitar style, the first thing to understand is how it is generated from his playing technique. His two main features are: open minor tuning and finger style attack, which he took from his cousins Lightnin’ Hopkins and Willow Young, respectively.

Open minor tuning allowed him to use a capo and play pull-offs more easily, which are part of his dynamic phrasing. Also, scales played on open strings have a brighter sound than those played on the fret board. They ring more freely since they are not softened by the left hand fingertips. He liked the open minor tuning in F (F,C,F,Ab,C,F).

Finger style picking is the other ingredient for that percussive, bright sound. When using fingers, the strings are attacked and then released following an upwards trajectory. Then the string vibrates in a bigger wavelength which collides with the frets (thus giving the percussive sound). This effect increases as the notes get closer to the bridge. Albert Collins had a preference for using the capo on the 8th fret (Dm, based on F minor tuning), which make the collision with the frets easy.

Albert Collins would attack the strings with his thumb, index or middle fingers. Albert King is also famous for his finger style attack, however he would use his thumb most of the time.

The next thing about Albert Collins’s guitar style is his masterful phrasing. This is where all great bluesmen mark their territory, and legendary styles are born. He likes silence. In fact, he embraces it, but just enough to break it abruptly with a burst of intense notes. He talks through his guitar, but he doesn’t talk sweet. He talks mean.

He goes to different places in his music, from the minor pentatonic licks of Albert King to the major scales and mixolydian modes of B.B King, or the grooves of Jimmy McGriff. But at the end, he always comes back with his own, great, fun style.

See Albert Collins’ influences on the Guitar Family Tree

Gear

Well, he obviously got the nickname "The Master of the Telecaster" for a reason. In this case, a beautiful 1966 Blonde Fender Telecaster, maple neck, single coil bridge pickup and a Gibson humbucker in the neck position. Even though most of the percussive sound comes from his playing, the natural bright tone of a Telecaster was also an important part of it.

His amp of choice was a 1970 Fender Quad Reverb, 100 watts.

His choice of strings gauge was .010, .013, .015, .026, .032, .038, which also contributes to the sharp tone. Like most bluesmen, his setup was really simple. His great tone came mostly from his hands.

Album Highlights

A common practice at the time, Albert Collins’ material was mostly released in singles, which were later compiled into albums or captured in live performances.

Videos

Albert Collin’s greatness can only be fully appreciated in a live performance. He was one of the most powerful blues front men in history, sharing it all with his audience. Pure enjoyment! I tried to find videos that capture that side of him as well his playing style.

Iceman

Frosty, with Stevie Ray Vaughan. This is Albert Collins at his best, full of energy and playing one of his most famous songs while featuring his unmistakeable blues style.

I Ain’t Drunk

Travellin’ South

Conversation with Collins - Slow Blues with Dutch blues band Barrelhouse. Shot for a live TV show, this video features a great slow blues performance from Albert Collins. He gives us quiet, mellow blues soloing with his great phrasing and his trademark Telecaster "talk" towards the end of the song.

Discography