Product Description
TOMMY CASTRO - CLOSER TO THE BONE
Tommy Castro & The Pain Killers
Closer To The Bone
Alligator Records
I caught Mr. Castro’s act not long after he’d finished another blues cruise with fiancée Deanna Bogart. He announced to Annapolis’ Rams Head crowd that his forthcoming release, Closer To The Bone, would be a real blues buster. So here it is. From the initial track (“Can’t Catch A Break”) to its concluding one (“Hole In The Wall”) this splendiferous record won’t quit spinning.
While Castro supplied all the material for his previous release, this one draws upon a plethora of prominent rhythm and blues artists mostly linked to the Bay Area – living and not. All 14 tracks are superior. But I found myself listening repeatedly to several.
“One More Night” is a Texas-style shuffle credited to the late Johnny “Nitro” Newton, a prominent blues band leader in the North Beach area. Another is Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s “She Moves Me” with the super saxy Deanna Bogart taking a solo on her tenor. “Ain’t Worth The Heartache” is a Castro original with a catchy, almost Afro beat and a strong harp solo by Billy Branch. Hank Penny’s immortal composition “Bloodshot Eyes” swings as it should, although I can’t help thinking Castro’s voicing isn’t quite as sharp as George Leh’s with Powerhouse, to which I guess I’m partial. Still, it’s wicked good. Speaking of vocals, a nod to bassist Randy McDonald for his own “Everywhere I Go.”
No one can sing like Ray Charles, but Castro delivers a credible version of The Genius’ “A Fool For You.” It’s greatly enhanced by the background voices of the Sons of Soul Revivers (James and Dwayne Morgan). Think of Terry Evans and Bobby King. Damn good. “Freight Train (Let Me Ride)” is a legacy of Bay Area bluesman, Ron Thompson. And yes, it’s another jewel in this latest Castro release, one that displays his absolute command of the slide guitar. (Or maybe it’s a resonator; hard for me to tell.) Castro affects a lower vocal growl on “Stroll Out West” which was written by Eddie “Playboy” Taylor, who was more of a Chicagoan than the others. But the Bay Area is still represented here in the person of Alligator label-mate Rick Estrin on harmonica.
This recording ends with the rollicking “Hole In The Wall.” I’ve heard Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry’s original, but as good as that is, I feel Castro’s is better, thanks in no small measure to the reappearance of those Morgan brothers, the Sons of Soul Revivers. In my view, it’s the capstone of a most excellent effort by Deana Bogart’s fiancée. Surely, more BMA awards will follow. Kudos to all.
– M.E. Travaglini