Albert Castiglia – Grits & Glory
Gulf Coast Records
11 tracks/52 minutes
I’ve spent a couple of decades watching Albert Castiglia become an icon in the blues world. From his early days touring and recording to today, Castiglia was and is force to be reckoned with. His music is not for the faint of heart. He delivers big and passionate music that is tastefully in you face and leave you wanting more.
Albert took to the legendary Abbey Road Studios to record this album. This record is filled with British invasion tinged blues and rock and featured Castiglia giving us, as the album title states, a gritty and glorious set of songs to savor and enjoy. The cast of players are Albert on vocals and guitar, Cliff Moore on bass, Lewis Stephens, Dave Gross and Bruce Bears on keys, Ray Haugen on drums and Deborah Michels on backing vocals.
Albert prepped for the sessions by absorbing the British scene and culture. He visited the towns where his guitar heroes came from and ended up in London and began recording his new release using his road band and some help on the keys.
“In My America” starts the album off with a throbbing and driving piece. Castiglia gives us his take on what is happening in America today and he’s not happy about it. His guitar stings as he picks out some stuff that is as poignant as his growled lyrics. Then it’s “I’m Afraid to Fall Asleep,” another big blues rocker with Castiglia playing some wicked slide guitar. It builds on the prior song that is more tribal and contrasts that with a repetitive groove and lyrics.
“Uncertainty” is next, beginning with an almost mournful slide guitar and driving, rocking groove. It hearkens to Southern rock as Castiglia sings and plays with passion, layering electric and acoustic guitars. A big, distorted guitar solo grabs at the listener. Then we have “Michigan Avenue.” This one is is a Chicago story as Castiglia takes is on a trip around the city with more hot guitar and a driving groove and lyrics.
The hot instrumental “Sack The Juggler” showcases Castiglia’s process on guitar as he takes us on a 100 mph ride across his six strings. “Slumlord Billionaire” follows that, a critical piece where he states he’d prefer to be broke and hungry than a slumlord billionaire. We all know who he’s referring to as he tells us how the slumlord millionaire takes advantage without care who he screws over. Another pair of very hot solos gives the listener another chance to savor Albert’s talent as the second solo takes us home.
“The Milk Is Still Good” gets a bit of a funky groove going as Castiglia sings about the lies we hear. His guitar rings loudly and clearly in a poignant solo. In “Don’t Burn Down The Bridge” Albert tells us what the title says because the grass ain’t any greener on the other side of the tracks. Another hot set of guitar solos gets the blood flowing in this cut about what we hear from supposed friends. “When The Coin Came Callin’“ is another funky cut with Castiglia fully in control. There is some nice organ filling in here than adds well to the mix. A big solo and a cool outro make this one great.
Castiglia concludes with two very interesting covers. First it’s Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue” which Coltrane also built upon. A sublime and amazing instrumental with Castiglia showcasing his guitar for us. The jazz influences are evident but Albert makes it his own with his soulful and masterful playing that builds to a fantastic musical summit. The Beatles “Yer Blues“ appropriately concludes the set of tunes. Recorded in the Beatles own studio, what would be more appropriate to finish with than one of their cuts? This song from the 1968 White Album is guttural, gritty and superb, Castiglia sings with passion and makes the tune his own. It’s bare boned goodness; the trio of guitar, bass and drums make it simple and cool. It’s hard not to like this and really draws a fine album to a fantastic finish.
As I noted, I’ve watch Albert and his music grow up, so to speak. He plays with a refined edginess, and the gutsy and gritty stuff is complemented by his raw and unabashed talent and feeling. He never pulls a punch and I’m glad he doesn’t. This is a wonderful set of tunes that deliver on what he intended. Add this one to your collection and listen to it as it garners accolades for award consideration!
