Re: Tommy Castro
I did a review for my magazine recently of Tommy Castro's album. It's been published now so I can share it with you:
TOMMY CASTRO
Hard Believer
Alligator
Tommy Castro’s Hard Believer is his first for Alligator Records and could well rank amongst one of his best. Taking a cue from his last album Painkiller, Castro has dug deeper into his soul influences with a superb album that pays homage to the Memphis sound. This collection of upbeat and well-crafted song is equally split between Castro’s impressive self-compositions and his unique interpretation of tunes recorded by Ray Charles, Delbert McClinton and Wilson Pickett. Each is treated with reverence, yet all feature the Castro stamp. His vocals are the focal point of the album, and are exceptional, with both grit and emotion, when the song requires. Take for example the title track where his singing recalls Otis Redding. Underpinning the voice is a fine accompaniment from his band. Castro’s guitar is used sparingly but to great effect, the rhythm section is tight and most notably a horn section is regularly present that really fills out the sound. A highlight is the funky shuffle, ‘It Is What It Is’ penned by late Texas musician Stephen Bruton, to whom the album is dedicated. ‘Trimming Fat’ is more topical with reference the current economic climate, featuring redundancy, rising food prices and a club owner putting on karaoke as it’s cheaper than paying a band. Dylan’s ‘Gotta Serve Somebody’ is given the Stax treatment before the playful rock n roll of ‘Make It Back To Memphis’ and an emotional reading of Allan Tousaint’s ‘Victims of The Darkness.’ Castro has made some fine albums in the past, but this is one that is particularly well rounded and is also a very enjoyable listen.
Duncan Beattie
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
