Blues Clues: Tommy Castro

Ten years ago when I started working as a graphic designer for a small promotional products company my boss, the owner, told me about a great band coming to a local Chinese restaurant and said my husband and I should go. Anyone in the area who loves music knows about Chan's in downtown Woonsocket Rhode Island. It is in this small venue sitting behind the largest bowl of wanton soup I had ever seen that I came face to face with The Tommy Castro Band.

It was a coup of ultimate proportions to have this amazing musician from California stop by this small local venue on his way across the pond for a few month long tour of Europe. It was as if James Dean and Bruce Springsteen had a child and named him Tommy (Try and get past the physical impossibility.) Tight black T-shirt, dark wash jeans, every hair combed into place, and boyish charm projected at 100 watts from his smile. I realize that doesn't tell you anything about his musical capabilities. But come on, if Dean and Springsteen had a kid how bad could he be? Even if, like me, you are not a huge fan of either man you can surely appreciate their allure and their impact. I have no doubt that people who are fortunate enough to see Tommy Castro live are equally affected.

With a rock-a-billy guitar style, a raspy rock and roll voice, and a back up band that is so tight you couldn't fit a dime between the notes they took the venue by storm. They ripped through The Holdin' On off of Soul Shaker. It had a familiarity to the music and soul in the lyrics that would make it a hit on any pop station if they would only play it. Anytime Soon was a heartfelt commentary on the social state of the world today. Just Like Me and Soul Shaker tempted to get everyone out of their seats and dance despite the lack of a dance floor.

Gratitude takes a list of the musical pioneers and pays homage by reprising their songs with the Tommy Castro Band signature. If you don't know anything about old school blues and have never heard of Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, or Albert King (and I find it hard to believe you wouldn't know at least one of them) this will not only give you a sample of their musical style but a taste of the energy and power that surrounds The Tommy Castro Band.

To get a full on idea of what this band is all about The Essential Tommy Castro touches on every style in their repertoire. For those who are leery of purchasing and entire CD and finding they may only like one or two songs you can go to their site: www.tommycastro.com and download songs to whet your appetite. If you are among the lucky people privileged enough to have them performing in your town, even if you don't own a single CD, I strongly recommend you go see them live. I defy you not to be a fan when the evening is over. Their next album, Painkiller, is due out at the end of the month and promises to carry on in the tradition of their previous releases with enough soul and style to captivate every audience.