Master showman Albert "The Iceman" Collins puts on a dynamic, animated electric blues performance in the 1988 concert recorded on this newly released DVD.

Collins' band is a real feature of the show and they stretch out on a lengthy intro before Collins takes the stage. This intro and the rest of the show exhibit the sensible, understated blues playing of second guitarist and John Mayall veteran Debbie Davies. The three-man horn section is Chuck Williams and Sam Franklin (on saxophones) and Gabel Flemmons (on trumpet). There is a rhythm section of long-time Collins sideman on bass Johnny B. Gayden (Son Seals, Johnny Winter) and drummer Soko Richardson (John Mayall, Ike & Tina Turner).

The closing number is "Frosty," with special guest Duke Robillard. The title of this song is one of the chill-sounding pieces that led to him become known as the Iceman, although the playing is as hot on this instrumental as on the rest of the set. Other standout tracks include "Mastercharge," "Blackcat Bone" and the vocal duet with Davies, "I Got That Feeling."

The set draws largely off the then-current Collins albums Cold Snap and Ice Pickin'. It is amazing to watch Collins get crisp and precise notes and accentuating string bends effortlessly out of a guitar in his unique style of finger-picking with a capo clamped high on the guitar neck.

- Rambles
written by Tom Schulte
published 24 July 2004