Titans of the Blues thrill at The Coach House

Singer-Guitarist Coco Montoya and singer-guitarist Tinsley Ellis
performing together at The Coach House on March 1, 2019.

Titans of the Blues Tour
Who: Coco Montoya, Tinsley Ellis
Where: The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA
When: Friday, March 1, 2019
Information: https://www.cocomontoyaband.com/ and http://www.tinsleyellis.com/

Coco Montoya on March 1, 2019.

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Tinsley Ellis at The Coach House on
March 1, 2019.

One of this writer's favorite concerts of 2018 was a headlining turn from Atlanta, GA-based singer-songwriter/guitarist Tinsley Ellis, who performed a terrific and memorable concert at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 28, 2018 (Read a review of that show here). 

Fast forward a year and a day later and Ellis was once again appearing at the venerable venue, this time appearing with legendary singer-songwriter/guitar great Coco Montoya on the duo's Titans of the Blues Tour. Needless to say (but I'll go ahead and say it anyway), I was determined to catch Ellis again on March 1. What a bonus that this night afforded seeing two blues legends together, each performing full-length sets and playing a trio of lengthy songs together to end the long night.

Ellis and his backing band (a bassist and drummer) performed a stellar 75-minute set of Southern-fried blues-rock, with the 61-year-old kicking off his turn by showcasing excellent tracks off his latest album (2018's Winning Hand). Ellis is an especially impressive guitarist whose ability to blend speed, expression and tone draws comparisons with greats ranging from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Eric Clapton. Those talents were showcased on the inviting opener "Sound of a Broken Man," Ellis' smooth guitar playing and top-tier vocals thrilling the crowd of 500 on hand.

Tinsley Ellis on March 1, 2019.

Other standout tracks performed by Ellis during his set was the blues ballad "Saving Grace," the Texas blues-styled sing-along "To the Devil For a Dime," tender "A Quitter Never Wins," and playful rocker "Double Eyed Whammy." 

Bringing chills was "The Last Song" bolstered by Ellis' emotional vocals and an extended guitar solo that served as the segue when the song grew from a ballad to a stronger Chicago blues burner, the power and force of guitar work burgeoning to a shimmering roar. Many in the crowd immediately got to their feet and gave Ellis a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the cut.

Montoya, who came to fame as a member of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in the 1980s, used his 80-minute set to showcase his own unique style of blues, built equally around his unique style of guitar, R&B vocals and as a gifted band leader able to share the spotlight with members of his three-man troupe.

Coco Montoya, far left, and his terrific trio at The Coach House.

Among the definitive moments in his set was the performance of a new song "Stop Running" (slated to be on a future release). The song itself was strong, enhanced by Montoya's solid baritone vocals and signature guitar work. For sheer blues-rock fun, the pedal-to-the-metal "Hard As Hell" allowed Montoya to unleash some of his most fiery guitar play of the night.

The lengthy encore allowed Ellis and Montoya to perform together, with the two guitarists trading licks and sharing an obvious joy of making music with the enthusiastic crowd. "Gotta Mind to Travel" is an fun and joyful Chicago blues-styled cut that launched the end of the night, both artists immersed in an 11-minute version that sped by courtesy of the musicians' collective skills and passion. The Mayall & Bluesbreakers classic "Have You Heard" ended the night on a powerful note with hopes this writer will get to catch both artists appearing together on stage together again.

Long-time friends, Montoya and Ellis' Titans of the Blues Tour marks the two artists' first-ever tour together. It is simply not to be missed for blues fans. The tour has just started and there are plenty of upcoming stops across the U.S. where music lovers can catch Montoya and Ellis in action.


Editor's Note: You can read a review of Robert Kinsler's review of 2013's Blues at the Crossroads 2 featuring Ellis, singer-harmonica great Kim Wilson and the late James Cotton here. The review also includes photography by Bob Steshetz.