Tommy Castro (Page 1 of 2)

Sometimes I think Tommy Castro doesn't get the respect he deserves.  Hard Believer is yet another solid effort show-casing his soul tinged blues.

Hard Believer is definitely Tommy's best effort to date. I got a live taste of it July 31st @ tiny Toot's Tavern across the river from me in Crockett, Ca. There are numerous rockin' R&B originals he penned along with Bonnie Hayes, Ric Estrin, & Mighty Mike Schermer which are enhanced by his killer horn players Keith Crossan & Tom Poole. There are some great covers as well, 99 1/2 by Steve Cropper, Gotta Serve Somebody by Dylan, Victims of the Darkness by Allen Toussaint, and My Babe by The Righteous Brothers. Tommy's last CD Painkiller was well received, but Hard Believer is already charting extremely well and IMO is a serious contender for, if nothing else Blueswax album of the year. Do yourself a favor and check this one out.

                                                                                             Think Green,

                                                                                             J Dawg

Enjoy the show T-Mc, the last one I saw a couple weeks ago was killer with Tommy runnin' out the side door of the club and playin' out in the street before runnin' back in the front door of this intimate venue, about 150 max. I'll be rockin' with Lynyrd Skynyrd on 9/11 up @ Clearlake, one of their favorite venues due to the bass fishing. The resort has 2 bass boats waiting for them as they step off the bus every year. I might catch Tommy on the 13th @ the Russian River Blues Festival on the way home from the lake, nice way to round out the weekend, huh?

                                                                                       Think Green,

                                                                                       J Dawg

I've always dug his soulful singing, guitar playing and tunes...I'll have to check out this new record.

I haven't heard this new one yet. As much as I love Tommy Castro Band I think he is in violation of an obscure Blues law that prohibits trumpet in a blues band. Keith on sax has it all covered and if Tommy needed another musician he should add a harp player or keyboards. As much as I enjoy jazz I can barely stand to listen to solo trumpet just because of the limited range and tone.

Just my 3 cents worth.

Word on the street is that Mighty Mike Schermer is relocating to Austin and will be playing with the Marcia Ball band.

Hey Fred, good to hear from ya, I'm short on time at the moment, gotta hot dinner date, but I'll respond to your thought soon. Bottom line, Tommy is more Soul/R&B than a blues player, more later.

                                                                                                Think Green,

                                                                                                J Dawg

A big thumbs up and cyber hugs & kisses to jdawg for turning me on to Tommy Castro.   I love the Tommy Castro Band and think his new CD Hard Believer is outstanding, good album from start to finish. The first tune is killer, Definition of Insanity, absorb those lyrics...   I tried to quit you I couldn't...

My first Tommy Castro show, just a great band!!  Jdawg, I couldn't remember your last name when I introduced myself.  I told Tommy I heard of him on the Joe Bonamassa forum from a Sacramento area guy named John.  He asked me if you went by JC?  Anyway, I told him I'd show him more respect next time and not wear a JB shirt , the women's Tommy Castro shirts with the silver sparkly studs fit great.  I was going to have my girlfriend dress up a fitted black t-shirt just like that with Joe Bonamassa on it.

Anyway, just my opinion & based on conversation,  I think Tommy feels a little slighted in being recognized as a good guitarist in a Joe comparison kind of way.  I think Tommy would make my underrated guitarist lists after seeing him perform.  I think Tommy is an excellent guitarist, love the whole sound of his band with the brass.  His bass player totally cracks me up. jdawg-Back Up Plan is great and the Dylan cover of Gotta Serve Somebody was absolutely rockin' live, not one person stood to dance...

My only complaint, with 2 warm-up bands, Sister Blue (local and excellent-has some Janis Joplin-esque qualities) and Coco, Tommy's set was way too short.

Check out Sister Blue, she was exceptional live. She is a fantastic and very passionate guitar player with an outstanding voice for some raw blues.  I'm not sure her myspace will speak for the power of her performance.  I bought both of her CD's, 2 for $20.

http://www.myspace.com/sisterblueband

Fuzzy Wuzzy-  I saw Tommy Castro on Sunday night. I'm not sure if this is the same bass player or not, if it is he's totally changed up the way he grooves on stage. Maybe jdawg can ID him.  I like when some of Tommy's songs get a little funky.  The intro of this song reminds me of the Average White Band, who I always have liked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HLOS2fi2Vo