Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland – Showdown! (VG+/VG+) – LP, AU 1985

Showdown! is an LP by Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland from 1985 released on the Alligator Records, Avan-Guard Music label.

About this album

Showdown! is a standout Texas blues collaboration that unites Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland on equal terms. Released in 1985, the album plays like a friendly contest between three of the genre’s most distinctive guitarists, with each bringing a different feel: Collins’ biting tone, Cray’s smoother modern approach and Copeland’s hard-edged authority. Built on tight band interplay and deep blues roots, the record helped bring traditional Texas blues to a wider audience in the 1980s and earned strong critical respect for its chemistry rather than gimmickry. Its blend of swagger, restraint and shared craft makes it one of the era’s key blues team-ups.