Early Life
Collins was born in Leona, Texas, on October 1, 1932. He was introduced to the guitar at an early age by his cousin Lightnin' Hopkins, also a Leona resident, who played at family gatherings. The Collins family relocated to Marquez, Texas, in 1938 and to Houston in 1941, where he attended Jack Yates High School. Collins took piano lessons when he was young, but when his piano tutor was unavailable his cousin Willow Young would lend Albert his guitar and taught him the altered tuning that he used throughout his career. Collins tuned his guitar to an open F-minor chord (FCFAbCF), with a capo at the 5th, 6th or 7th fret. At the age of twelve, he decided to concentrate on learning the guitar after hearing "Boogie Chillen'" by John Lee Hooker. At eighteen Collins started his own group, the Rhythm Rockers, in which he honed his craft. During this time he was employed for four years at a ranch in Normangee, Texas; he then worked as a truck driver for various companies for twelve years.
Collins played an Epiphone guitar during his first two years with the Rhythm Rockers, but in 1952, after seeing Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown playing a Fender Esquire, he decided to purchase a Fender. He wanted a Telecaster, but because of the cost he chose to buy an Esquire, which he took to the Parker Music Company in Houston to be fitted with a Telecaster neck. This was his main guitar until he moved to California, and it was the guitar that he used on his earliest recordings, including his signature song, "Frosty". For the rest of his career he played a "maple cap"–necked natural ash body Fender 1966 Custom Telecaster with a Gibson PAF humbucking pickup retrofitted into the neck position, which became the basis for a Fender Custom Artist signature model in 1990.
In 1954 Collins, then aged 22 and without a record release, was joined in the Rhythm Rockers by 17-year-old Johnny Copeland, who had just left the Dukes of Rhythm (a band he had started with the Houston blues musician Joe "Guitar" Hughes).
Early life
Collins started to play regularly in Houston, notably at Shady's Playhouse, where James "Widemouth" Brown (brother of Gatemouth Brown) and other well-known Houston blues musicians would meet for "Blue Monday" jams. By the mid-1950s he had established his reputation as a local guitarist of note and had started to appear regularly at a Fifth Ward club, Walter's Lounge, with the group Big Tiny and the Thunderbirds.
The saxophonist and music teacher Henry Hayes heard about Collins from Joe "Guitar" Hughes. After seeing him perform live, Hayes encouraged Collins to record a single for Kangaroo Records, a label he had started with his friend M. L. Young. Collins recorded his debut single, "Freeze", backed with "Collins Shuffle", for Kangaroo at Gold Star Studios, in Houston, in the spring of 1958, with Hayes on saxophone. Texas blues bands of this period incorporated a horn section, and Collins later credited Hayes with teaching him how to arrange for horns. In 1964 he recorded "Frosty" at Gulf Coast Recording Studio, in Beaumont, Texas, for Hall Records, owned by Bill Hall, who had signed Collins on the recommendation of Cowboy Jack Clement, a songwriter and producer who had engineered sessions for Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash at Sun Records. His debut album, The Cool Sound of Albert Collins, released in 1965 on the TCF Hall label, consisted of previously released instrumentals, including "Thaw-Out", "Sno-Cone", and "Don't Lose Your Cool".
On 19 June 1968 the group Canned Heat was playing at the Music Hall in Houston, and a friend of theirs mentioned that Collins was playing at the Ponderosa Club, which they duly attended. After Collins had finished playing they introduced themselves and offered to help secure an agent for him as well as an introduction to Imperial Records in California. With the offer of a record deal and regular live work Collins decided to move, relocating to Kansas City in July 1968, where he played in the organ trio of the keyboardist Lawrence Wright, and then in November moving to Palo Alto, California. For his 1968 Imperial album, Collins chose the title Love Can Be Found Anywhere (Even in a Guitar), from the lyrics of Canned Heat's "Fried Hockey Boogie", in honor of Canned Heat and their lead singer Bob Hite, who wrote the liner notes for the album. In the spring of 1969 Collins was hired by Bob Krasnow to play on the Ike and Tina Turner album The Hunter, which was released by Krasnow's Blue Thumb Records. The move to California was proving to be the right decision, with Collins establishing himself as a regular act on the West Coast circuit, playing at the Fillmore West and the Whisky a Go Go and at the "Newport 69" festival in Northridge, California, in June 1969 and the Gold Rush Festival at Lake Amador, California, in October. In December 1969 his debut album, The Cool Sound of Albert Collins, was reissued as Truckin’ with Albert Collins by Blue Thumb.
In November 1971 the Denver label Tumbleweed Records, which had been newly created by Larry Ray and Bill Szymczyk, released Collins's album There's Gotta Be a Change; it was the label's first official release. The single "Get Your Business Straight", backed with "Frog Jumpin'", was released by Tumbleweed in February 1972. In 1973 Tumbleweed closed because of financial problems, leaving Collins without a record label. He was signed by Bruce Iglauer, the owner of Alligator Records, in 1978 on the recommendation of Dick Shurman, whom Collins had met in Seattle. His first release for the label was Ice Pickin' (1978), which was recorded at Curtom Studios, in Chicago, and produced by Iglauer, Shurman and Richard McLeese. On 2 February 1978 Collins appeared in concert with the Dutch band Barrelhouse, which was his first live appearance outside the United States. The concert was filmed for the Dutch TV show Tros Sesjun and was subsequently released on vinyl in 1979 by Munich Records as Albert Collins with The Barrelhouse Live. Collins won a W. C. Handy Award in the category Best Contemporary Blues Album in 1983 for his Alligator release Don't Lose Your Cool.
On 13 July 1985 Collins performed with George Thorogood and the Destroyers at Live Aid, appearing as guest soloist on "Madison Blues"; the US part of the charity concert was held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia and, with simultaneous broadcasts in other countries, was viewed by over 1.5 billion people. In December 1986 Collins appeared in concert with Etta James and Joe Walsh at the Wiltern Theater, in Los Angeles; the concert was subsequently released on video under the title Jazzvisions: Jump the Blues Away. The backing musicians for the concert were Rick Rosas (bass), Michael Huey (drums), Ed Sanford (Hammond B3 organ), Kip Noble (piano) and Josh Sklar (guitar). In 1986 Collins won a Grammy Award with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland for their album Showdown! Collins finished working on his seventh Alligator album, Cold Snap, by October 1986. It was released shortly afterwards to good reviews and received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Recording of 1987. Collins cited the album as personally important to him because of the involvement of the organist Jimmy McGriff, an early musical idol, with whom Collins had played in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1966.
On 12 February 1987 he appeared as a musical guest on the NBC talk show Late Night with David Letterman. Collins made a cameo appearance in the 1987 comedy film Adventures in Babysitting. In 1987 the American composer John Zorn and Collins collaborated on a suite, "Two-Lane Highway", which was subsequently released on Zorn's album Spillane. On 22 April 1988 Collins appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in a group consisting of B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan; the group played on the steamboat President as it cruised along the Mississippi River, in recognition of the musical heritage of New Orleans and artists such as Fate Marable, Louis Armstrong and Henry Red Allen, who had entertained passengers on the fleet of riverboats owned by the Streckfus brothers.
Collins was signed to Point Blank Records, a subsidiary of Virgin Records, in 1991. Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records expressed his disappointment at the departure of Collins while acknowledging that he had signed Collins on a record-to-record basis. On 15 November 1991 Collins performed with Robert Cray, Steve Cropper and Dave Edmunds at the Guitar Legends event in Seville, a series of five concerts to promote the upcoming Seville Expo '92. On 28 October 1991 Collins was filmed in concert for the television program Austin City Limits; the concert was broadcast on 21 February 1992 and released on DVD in April 2008 as Albert Collins: Live From Austin, TX. In 1993 Collins played at the Point Blank Borderline Blues Festival in London, which ran from 17 March to 27 March; this was his last appearance in the UK.
Collins was performing at the Paléo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, in July 1993 when he was taken ill. He was diagnosed in mid-August with lung cancer, which had metastasized to his liver, with an expected survival time of four months. Tracks for his last album, Live '92/'93, were recorded at shows that September. Collins died on 24 November 1993 at the age of 61. He was interred at Davis Memorial Park, in Las Vegas, Nevada. His final album, Live '92/'93, was posthumously nominated at the 38th Grammy Awards of 1996 in the category Best Blues Contemporary Album.
Work Outside Music
In his early days Collins worked as a paint mixer and truck driver to make ends meet. In 1971, when he was 39 years old, he worked in construction, since he couldn't make a proper living from his music. One of his construction jobs was a remodeling for Neil Diamond.[51] He continued with this type of work until the late 1970s, when his wife, Gwen, talked him into returning to a career in music.
Death and Legacy
After a three-month battle with cancer, Collins died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 24, 1993. He was 61 years old. Surviving him were his wife, Gwendolyn, and his father, Andy Thomas.
Collins was an inspiration to a generation of Texas guitar players, including Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan. He was among a small group of Texas blues players, along with Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Johnny Copeland, who shaped the legacy of T-Bone Walker into a modern blues template that was to have a major influence on many later players. In an interview with Guitar World magazine, Robert Cray said, "it was seeing Albert Collins at a rock festival in 1969 that really turned my head around." Two years later, Collins played at Cray's high-school graduation party in Tacoma, Washington, and the ice-pick sound sunk in deep: "That was it," Cray recalled. "That changed my whole life around. From that moment I started seriously studying the blues."
Collins is remembered for his informal and audience-engaging live performances. He would frequently leave the stage while still playing to mingle with the audience. The use of an extended guitar lead allowed Collins to go outside clubs to the sidewalk; one anecdote stated that he left a club with the audience in tow to visit the store next door to buy a candy bar without once stopping his act.
He is also remembered for his humorous stage presence, which is recounted in the documentary Antones: Austin's Home of the Blues: Collins was playing a lengthy solo one night at Antone's and left the building while still playing. He returned to the stage still playing the solo and resumed entertaining the audience in person. Shortly afterwards, a man arrived at the club and gave Collins the pizza he had just ordered.
Wikipedia: Albert Collins
Same Old Thing
Albert Collins and The Icebreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Bout the things they experienced in life
Some entertainers sing songs that they-a,
seen other people experience in life
Well, I'm gonna tell you some of the things
I experienced in life
The old lady got mad with me the other night
Got the house by myself, just me and the dog. Ha, ha
Sometime ya know that your animal layin' in the floor, lookin'
at you like, say, "Uh, you done messed up buddy"
It's that same old thang
Same old thang, baby where ya been?
Said, same old thing, woman where ya been?
Been gone two days, today
I'm sittin' here all alone
I been waitin' babe
Waitin' by my telephone
Said, same old thing
Woman where ya been?
It's that same old thing
Baby, where ya been?
I been up all night, waitin' in vain
Without you baby, it just ain't the same
Everytime I go through this baby
We play that same old game
Now if I ever catch ya messin' around
Then there's no need to plead
Just send your soul on to heaven
'Cause the rest is home to me
Same old thing, baby where ya been?
It's the same old thing, woman where ya been?
It's the same old thing
Hey!
My patience done run out
My love gone bad
I really started to leave ya woman, but
But you're the best thing I ever had
Same old thing, woman where ya been?
Same old thing, baby where ya been?
I been up all night, waitin' in vain
Without you baby, it just ain't the same
Every time I go through this thing with you
You play that same old game
Now if I ever catch you messin' around
There's no need to plead
Just send your soul on to heaven, haha
'Cause the rest belong to me
Said same old thing, baby where ya been?
Said same old thing, baby
Woman, where ya been?
("I was at Carol's house last night")
No you wouldn't
Carol was over here, her and the baby last night
Where ya gonna be?
Ya gotta find somethin' else baby 'cause you know
I started to leave you, but you the best thing I've ever had
("Then I went by Mollie's house")
No, hell no, Mollie called here lookin' for ya
You've got to come right with me, baby
No wigglin' of the hip
See the same old thing baby
I done told you, no, don't do that to me, no mo'
'Cause I, I love you baby
I'm really in love wit' cha baby
The song Same Old Thing by Albert Collins and The Icebreakers portrays the singer's frustration with his partner's infidelity, which seems to be a recurring problem. The lyrics convey his disappointment and anger as he waits for his partner to return home after another unexplained absence. He reflects on their past experiences and warns his partner that if he ever catches her cheating, there will be severe consequences. However, despite their problems, he still loves her and is unable to leave her because she is the best thing he has ever had.
Overall, Same Old Thing highlights the theme of trust and loyalty in romantic relationships. The lyrics emphasize the importance of honesty and the need to communicate openly to avoid misunderstandings and broken hearts. The song's bluesy style and Collins' signature guitar playing add to the emotional depth of the track, making it a classic blues ballad.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a lot a entertainers, sing songs
Many artists sing about their own experiences and what they've seen others go through in life.
'Bout the things they experienced in life
They sing about the things that actually happened to them.
Some entertainers sing songs that they-a, seen other people experience in life
Some artists sing about things they've only witnessed happen to others.
Well, I'm gonna tell you some of the things I experienced in life
I'm going to sing about what actually happened to me.
The old lady got mad with me the other night
My significant other was angry with me recently.
Packed that overnight grip
She packed a bag to leave.
Got the house by myself, just me and the dog. Ha, ha
She left me alone with only the dog as company.
Sometime ya know that your animal layin' in the floor, lookin' at you like, say, "Uh, you done messed up buddy"
Sometimes your dog looks at you disapprovingly, like you've made a mistake.
It's that same old thang
This is a familiar pattern of behavior in our relationship.
Same old thang, baby where ya been?
I know you've been up to the same old thing, so where have you been?
Said, same old thing, woman where ya been?
I know you've been doing the same old thing, so where have you been?
Been gone two days, today
You've been gone for two days.
I'm sittin' here all alone
I'm lonely without you here.
I been waitin' babe
I've been waiting for you to come back.
Waitin' by my telephone
I've been waiting by the phone for you to call.
It's that same old thing
This is a familiar pattern of behavior in our relationship.
I been up all night, waitin' in vain
I stayed up all night waiting for you, but you didn't show.
Without you baby, it just ain't the same
I don't enjoy life as much without you here with me.
Everytime I go through this baby
Every time we go through this experience together.
We play that same old game
We fall into the same old pattern of behavior.
Now if I ever catch ya messin' around
If I catch you cheating on me.
Then there's no need to plead
Don't bother trying to explain or justify it.
Just send your soul on to heaven
You might as well be dead to me.
'Cause the rest is home to me
I'm going to take control of this situation.
My patience done run out
I'm fed up with this situation.
My love gone bad
My love for you has turned sour.
I really started to leave ya woman, but
I was actually considering leaving you, but...
But you're the best thing I ever had
You're important to me, despite our problems.
('I was at Carol's house last night')
An example of a lie that could be told in this situation.
No you wouldn't
I don't believe you.
Carol was over here, her and the baby last night
I know Carol was here last night with the baby.
Where ya gonna be?
Where were you really?
Ya gotta find somethin' else baby 'cause you know
You need to find a new excuse.
I started to leave you, but you the best thing I've ever had
I almost left you, but I ultimately still love you.
('Then I went by Mollie's house')
Another example of a lie that could be told.
No, hell no, Mollie called here lookin' for ya
I know Mollie called and was looking for you.
You've got to come right with me, baby
You need to come clean with me and tell me the truth.
No wigglin' of the hip
I won't fall for any more lies from you.
See the same old thing baby
This situation just keeps repeating itself.
I done told you, no, don't do that to me, no mo'
I've already asked you not to lie to me anymore.
'Cause I, I love you baby
I'm willing to work through our issues because I truly love you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Игорь Калашников
Take a lot a entertainers, sing songs
'Bout the things they experienced in life
Some entertainers sing songs that they-a,
seen other people experience in life
Well, I'm gonna tell you some of the things
I experienced in life
The old lady got mad with me the other night
Packed that overnight grip
Got the house by myself, just me and the dog. Ha, ha
Sometime ya know that your animal layin' in the floor, lookin'
at you like, say, "Uh, you done messed up buddy"
It's that same old thang
Same old thang, baby where ya been?
Said, same old thing, woman where ya been?
Been gone two days, today
I'm sittin' here all alone
I been waitin' babe
Waitin' by my telephone
Said, same old thing
Woman where ya been?
It's that same old thing
Baby, where ya been?
I been up all night, waitin' in vain
Without you baby, it just ain't the same
Everytime I go through this baby
We play that same old game
Now if I ever catch ya messin' around
Then there's no need to plead
Just send your soul on to heaven
'Cause the rest is home to me
Same old thing, baby where ya been?
It's the same old thing, woman where ya been?
It's the same old thing
Hey!
My patience done run out
My love gone bad
I really started to leave ya woman, but
But you're the best thing I ever had
Same old thing, woman where ya been?
Same old thing, baby where ya been?
I been up all night, waitin' in vain
Without you baby, it just ain't the same
Every time I go through this thing with you
You play that same old game
Now if I ever catch you messin' around
There's no need to plead
Just send your soul on to heaven, haha
'Cause the rest belong to me
Said same old thing, baby where ya been?
Said same old thing, baby
Woman, where ya been?
No you wouldn't
Carol was over here, her and the baby last night
Where ya gonna be?
Ya gotta find somethin' else baby 'cause you know
I started to leave you, but you the best thing I've ever had
("Then I went by Mollie's house")
No, hell no, Mollie called here lookin' for ya
You've got to come right with me, baby
No wigglin' of the hip
See the same old thing baby
I done told you, no, don't do that to me, no mo'
'Cause I, I love you baby
I'm really in love wit' cha baby
Перевести на русский
Carl Vandenberg
I can't stop watching this, it's so damn good! I watch this one and the (giorno) version almost every day. I love that he gives his bass player a long solo, then the trumpet player (who is amazing), and finally his rhythm player gets a solo too which is face melting. This is what music is/was all about!
Paulie G
It's absolutely great. But you watch this every day? As well as the other performance of this song at daytime too? Don't get me wrong, if I could only watch one thing every day, this would be right up there, but come on man, variety is the spice of life and everything.
Stef S
Early 80's, strolling around one cold evening in Ottawa, saw this doodle jumping up and down just outside a bar playing a wireless Stratocaster. Grooviest sound coming from inside. We walked in. Meet Albert Collins! Those moments are what make life worth it.
Slight Return
What a fucking LEGEND!! He always put together the most kick-ass bands, and every musician gives him everything they’ve got. Just sounds so so damn gooooddd
Ovcharka Boxing
and whats great is he gave everyone in the band credit and air time to play.
Hunter West
Right! It's like they all wanted to kill it for him and you can hear that shit! Just awesome!
paulo delorios
Sho do!
Rob Slater
Saw him in a small club, in the early '80's. Not twenty people there. One of the three best shows I've ever experienced! Force of nature!
Nicholas Baumgren
Albert Collins one of the undisputed kings of the Blues and what a performance by John Gayden & Steve Howard simply outstanding...
7ZOVETS
right on