Ya Think I'd Know Better
{{Infobox album
| name = Ya Think I'd Know Better
| type = studio
| artist = Coco Montoya
| cover = Ya Think I'd Know Better.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1996
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio = 315 Beale
| genre = Blues
| length =
| label = Bling Pig
| producer = Jim Gaines
| prev_title = Gotta Mind to Travel
| prev_year = 1995
| next_title = Just Let Go
| next_year = 1997
}}
Ya Think I'd Know Better is the second album by the American musician Coco Montoya, released in 1996.{{cite magazine |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Flag Waving |magazine=Billboard |date=Jun 22, 1996 |volume=108 |issue=25 |page=73}}{{cite news |last1=Krewen |first1=Nick |title=Blues artist Montoya goes his own way |work=The Record |date=28 June 1996 |location=Kitchener |page=C6}} It peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's Blues Albums chart and was one of the year's best selling independent blues releases.{{cite web |title=Coco Montoya |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/coco-montoya/chart-history/blu/ |website=Billboard |access-date=25 May 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Wolgamott |first1=L. Kent |title=Coco Montoya: Blues Are Now Serious Business |work=Lincoln Journal Star |date=10 July 1998 |department=Ground Zero |page=12}} Montoya supported the album with a North American tour.{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Steven |title=Concert Buzz |work=The Denver Post |date=5 July 1996 |page=E17}} It was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best contemporary blues album.
Production
Recorded at 315 Beale, in Memphis, the album was produced by Jim Gaines.{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Bill |title=Allison leads Handy award nominations |work=The Commercial Appeal |date=Jan 17, 1997 |page=A15}}{{cite news |last1=Wolgamott |first1=L. Kent |title=Making a connection |work=Lincoln Journal Star |date=22 June 2007 |page=X12}} Montoya decided to record a more low-key album, forgoing the many guest musicians on his debut. He contributed only one songwriting credit.{{cite news |last1=Beck |first1=John |title=Blues Lessons Learned |work=The Press Democrat |date=23 June 2002 |page=Q15}} Lee Roy Parnell played guitar on the title track.{{cite journal |last1=Cooper |first1=B. Lee |title=Ya Think I'd Know Better Coco Montoya |journal=Popular Music and Society |date=Fall 1996 |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=129–130}} "Hiding Place" was written by Warren Haynes.{{cite news |last1=Bialczak |first1=Mark |title=Montoya Brings Guitar Blues to Dino |work=Syracuse Herald-Journal |date=13 Nov 1996 |page=E5}} "Dyin' Flu" was written by Albert Collins, Montoya's mentor and former employer.{{cite news |last1=Fink |first1=Jerry |title=Blue not the only color in Montoya's box of crayons |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=26 Feb 2009 |department=Arts |page=7}} "Fool in Love" is a cover of the Ike Turner song.
Critical reception
{{music ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |title=Ya Think I'd Know Better Review by Thom Owens |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ya-think-id-know-better-mw0000183516 |website=AllMusic |access-date=25 May 2024}}
|rev2 = MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide
|rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite book |title=MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide |date=1998 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=269}}
|rev3 = The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings
|rev3score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite book |title=The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings |date=2006 |publisher=Penguin Books |page=468}}
}}
Stereo Review wrote that "Montoya is living proof that you don't have to be from the Deep South to get a grip on the blues."{{cite magazine |last1=Albertson |first1=Chris |title=Coco Montoya: Ya Think I'd Know Better |magazine=Stereo Review |date=Sep 1996 |volume=61 |issue=9 |page=108}} The Wall Street Journal noted the album in its year-end review, praising the Albert King-like "meaty sound."{{cite news |last1=Fusilli |first1=Jim |title=The year in rock, blues, country and jazz |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2 Jan 1997 |page=A4:1}} The Ottawa Citizen said that "the fiery intensity of his guitar work is kept in check by a clean and precise vocal delivery."{{cite news |title=Blues |work=The Ottawa Citizen |date=17 Apr 1997 |page=D3}} The Lake Geneva Regional News stated that the album "shows off his biting guitar tone" and "shuffling grooves".{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Jack |title=The Wax Works |work=Lake Geneva Regional News |date=Aug 15, 1996 |page=83}}
AllMusic concluded that "even those familiar with his gutsy, electrifying style will be taken aback by the stylistic variety and musical depth."
Track listing
- "Monkey See, Monkey Do"
- "Seven Desires"
- "Hiding Place"
- "The Heart of Soul"
- "Tumbleweed"
- "Fool in Love"
- "Can't Get My Ass in Gear"
- "You'd Think I'd Know Better by Now"
- "Big Boy Pete"
- "Too Much of a Good Thing"
- "Dyin' Flu"