1 Topic by RickB (edited by RickB 2012-02-25 04:04:46)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Topic: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

The famous Tommy Castro Band is now a sad shell of what used to be. We went up to the Belly Up Tavern to see how the loss of more than half the band would shake out.

The Swingin Kings opened with a nice mix of blues and swing, warming up the house nicely with an hour and a half set. Our neighbor at the bar mentioned the lead guitarist used to be his roommate and was a tile setter during the day. Good job by all and they left the stage to a raucous round of applause. 

Tommy took the stage after a short break with a quartet of Keyboard, bass and drums and opened with Monkeys Paradise, followed by several songs from his earliest releases. 10 minutes into the set, my dear wife turned to me and said, "The first band was better." We stuck it out for another 45 minutes hoping it would get better. It didn't. Randy MacDonald, his old bass player who stepped in to fill the gap didn't. He kept up a fair beat, but when he sang for the 5th song, he should have left it to Tommy. After that display, the wife turned to me and asked, "Ready?" "Yep, we're out of here" I responded. Our bar friend had already left. The audience response by the packed house was getting more tepid with each song and they weren't even half way through the set. It was going to get ugly.

I hope they improve or Tommy finds some players to fill the gap. There was no life to it. The lack of horn and sax just killed it.

Watch the reviews and hope for better. Until then, save your money. The world famous award winning Tommy Castro Band is no more. sad  I felt sorry for him.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Grapevine, Tejas
  • Registered: 2009-11-03
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Wow, that is sad.  I was thinking about going to the Coachhouse tomorrow night to see him, but now, I think I'll pass.

  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

My buddy bought us tickets for April 1.  We'll see if they can pull it together by then.  I was afraid of this.  But if the economic realities have forced Tommy to re-tool, then there is not much more to say.  A man's gotta eat.

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster
  • gary
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,767

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

I have never seen TC,but like his music.It would seem his sound could not be without the sax and horns.It is sad if economics forced this change.

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website

  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

gary wrote:

I have never seen TC,but like his music.It would seem his sound could not be without the sax and horns.It is sad if economics forced this change.

The economy was the factor, as Tommy says, "Everybodies....trimmin' fat." Rick, I'm not surprised in the least by your's and Helen's review, I was totally expecting his appeal to go in reverse. I was already missin' Keith, Tom, & Scot and I haven't even seen the retooled band yet. Did you get any video?

                                                                                                                  Rock The Vote,

                                                                                                                  J Dawg

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Well that sucks.  I wish (once in a great while) I was in California.

MuchLousy
doc

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

7 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2012-02-25 13:21:38)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

ohiodawg13 wrote:
gary wrote:

I have never seen TC,but like his music.It would seem his sound could not be without the sax and horns.It is sad if economics forced this change.

The economy was the factor, as Tommy says, "Everybodies....trimmin' fat." Rick, I'm not surprised in the least by your's and Helen's review, I was totally expecting his appeal to go in reverse. I was already missin' Keith, Tom, & Scot and I haven't even seen the retooled band yet. Did you get any video?

                                                                                                                  Rock The Vote,

                                                                                                                  J Dawg

No I didn't JDawg. I went with an open mind in hopes of a decent effort. We're huge fans of TC and were dreaming of him pulling it out. If I had shot vid I wouldn't have put it up. I felt sick, like I was at a wake.  You could sense his desparation by the 3rd song. I'm really bummed by this. Tommy played and sang his best, but it wasn't there.

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Bummer!

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • gary
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,767

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

This got me thinking about something.I saw Indigenous 2-3 years ago at a bar in Chicago.He had another guitar player,and keyboard player .I'm guessing about 150 people.Now next time he was. Down to a power trio.I would. Bet that Nato couldn't  sustain that band size.Lucky that his music is written for a power trio.

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website

10 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2012-02-27 14:52:25)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

I posted my disappointment to Tommy's wall on facebook. Here is his response:



TOMMY CASTRO We had a bad night at the Belly Up. There several problems that night that you are not aware of.Most of the show have gone well lately. I have a new band , new arrangements of some of my songs, I have a new pedal board I'm using 3 guitars.  It's going to take time to sort out what's working and what's not.

There were some other posts re that show that said they enjoyed it and I was like WTF? I wish him all the luck.
Rick
edit: then he promptly deleted my post from his wall.....

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

RickB wrote:

I posted my disappointment to Tommy's wall on facebook. Here is his response:



TOMMY CASTRO We had a bad night at the Belly Up. There several problems that night that you are not aware of.Most of the show have gone well lately. I have a new band , new arrangements of some of my songs, I have a new pedal board I'm using 3 guitars.  It's going to take time to sort out what's working and what's not.

There were some other posts re that show that said they enjoyed it and I was like WTF? I wish him all the luck.
Rick

TRUST ME, anyone can have a bad night.  That being said, that's why I insist on rehearsals.  On stage is not where it should happen.  TC knows that.  I can feel his frustration.  Sorry man.

MuchLove
BigJeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Doc, you know how it goes. I've been a fan of Tommy's for many years, long before he expanded the line-up and seen a lotta different players come & go. I'll catch the newest incarnation on Cinco de Mayo @ my favorite hole in the wall he plays, Toot's Tavern in Crocket, Ca. Hopefully they'll have the kinks ironed out by then. Free your mind, and the rest will follow.

                                                                                                              Rock The Vote,

                                                                                                              J Dawg

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Saw Tommy last night.  The kinks are finally worked out.  The show was great and the boys were really smoking.  Of course I'll always remember the pinnacle of the band with Keith and Tom blowing away - but the re-tool is genuinely working, the chemistry is there, and everyone is having fun.  Great night!

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster
  • From: Maine-USA
  • Registered: 2012-04-11
  • Posts: 378

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Tommy playing the Gloucester Blues fest August 10th. A very good line-up for this show!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gloucest … 4605272378

Dont need a helmet to get me through life-walk across the water blame it on foolish pride.

PORTLAND2012/SPRINGFIELD2012/BOSTON2013/HAMPTON BEACH2014/BANGOR2015/PORTLAND2016/PORTLAND2017
  • Registered: 2010-12-28
  • Posts: 242

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

I saw Tommy Castro a couple of years ago at the Schoppingen blues festival, not knowing who he was.

I believe he was there with the 'most' original lineup? Sax etc. included.. was pretty awesome!
Got a Castro Pick as well, he was a nice guy!

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Jesse wrote:

I saw Tommy Castro a couple of years ago at the Schoppingen blues festival, not knowing who he was.

I believe he was there with the 'most' original lineup? Sax etc. included.. was pretty awesome!
Got a Castro Pick as well, he was a nice guy!

That was his old lineup, and yes, Tommy's a very nice guy.
Glad to hear he has got the show going again. I look forward to his next pass through my area.

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Grapevine, Tejas
  • Registered: 2009-11-03
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

Susan and I saw Tommy just last weekend in Dallas.  I was "managing my expectations" about the show as I enjoyed the horn section so much the first time we saw him, but I have to say, he put on one hell of a show.  4 piece included keyboards and it was outstanding.  Two hours of Tommy songs and some bad **** guitar playing.  He was on a Strat most of the night but did play a few songs on the Firebird.  It was only after the show on the way home that we discussed missing the horns.  I was pleasantly surprised.

18 Reply by dknight16 (edited by dknight16 2013-04-15 17:22:21)

  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: Tommy Castro and some other guys.

I talked to Tommy about the Firebird.  He'd like to play it more, but he has it tuned for slide.  So he limits it to slide songs.  His back up guitar is now a Fender Jaguar.  He says it's just a "cheap one".

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster