TOMMY CASTRO
Gratitude (Heart and Soul)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Tommy Castro's seventh CD, Gratitude, is a tribute CD to the artists and songs that have inspired him to be one of the premier bluesmen of the younger blues generation. When Tommy Castro was growing up, his soundtrack included James Brown's "I Feel That Old Feeling Going On," Otis Redding and Carla Thomas' "Lovey Dovey," Muddy Waters' "I Wants to Be Loved," and Howlin Wolf's "44," and his enthusiasm for each song on this disc shows through in his playing and singing. Gratitude is Tommy's debut on his own Heart and Soul Records, which also has released a fine record by his bass player, Randy McDonald, On the Wild Side. There's not a bad song in the bunch on Gratitude, and two songs seal the deal for me: Tommy's firey take on Chuck Berry's "Tulane," and his first-class treatment of John Lee Hooker's "It Serves You Right to Suffer." Tommy's band is in fine form, with Billy Lee Lewis on drums and Randy McDonald on bass, and Keith Crossan rounding out the sound on sax. Guests include Tom Poole and Michael Peliquin on trumpet and sax, Curtis Salgado on harmonica and vocals, and Sista Monica Parker singing Carla Thomas' part on "Lovey Dovey." Thanks Tommy and friends for a very memorable blues CD!

Track List:

Take What I Want * Come Back Baby * Lovey Dovey * .44 So Long * Bad Case Of Love * Tulane * It Serves Me Right To Suffer * I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On * Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven * I Found A Love * I Wants To Be Loved * When My Left Eye Jumps

© 2003 - Eric Steiner