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Albert Castiglia "A Stone's Throw" Blues Leaf Records)
*** 1/2 To me Castiglia is a like a Deeper South Stevie Ray Vaughan- that's what I think of when I hear "A Stone's Throw". To back up that assertion I suggest a listen to the humorous opener "Big Toe". Once the song kicks in you got yourself a very "Pride & Joy"-like riff and some authentic Texas throaty (yet nasal) singing. In it Castiglia says: "Working all day in the sun/Big bossman got a big shotgun/I'm going take my shovel and cut off my big toe/If I can't walk I won't have to work no more". Now that's hatin' your job! More important, is the fast fingered guitar solo that he makes seem so easy. I can't even play air guitar like that. "Toe" was written by Graham Wood Drout (of Iko Iko) as was the fantastic "The Ghosts Of Mississippi". I was already familiar with this latter gem via Joey Gilmore but instead of Gilmore's piledriving arrangement Castigilia treats the song to a fast paced acoustic/slide guitar boogie which is closer to Drout's own version.
To his credit Castiglia breathes new life into Robert Johnson's Jurassic Blues number "Walking Blues" which closes with a 2 minute guitar avalanche and he rocks the house with Kim Wilson's "Sittin And Thinkin". Plus, Castiglia offers up four original compositions like the Katrina song "Hurricane Blues", which incidentally rocks you like a hurricane, funky "Speed On" that shows off his vocals with slippery phrasing and the cool, midtempo "Crying The Blues " where he finds his woman is "sleepin' and creepin' with every friend she can find". His guitar solos are nearly Santana-esque on this latter cut, thoroughly proving Castiglia is no three riff stiff but a consistently creative and versatile picker. Methinks this record will place Castiglia but a "stone's throw" from the upper echelon of guitar wizards in the minds of Blues guitar aficionados.
www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/real_music_reviews_a_stones_throw_by_albert_castiglia
‘’’Real Music Reviews: ‘A Stone’s Throw’ by Albert Castiglia
Posted by Daniel East
In the world of Blues music, there are so many genres, schools and styles to consider that it takes that one spark to ignite the flame of the listener wherein they will discover that what reaches them. Once it does, it can be incendiary. In this case, a young Blues rocker from south Florida is an energetic performer who both respects what precedes him and offers a blend of styles that offer Blues beyond his years. A protégé of the legendary Junior Wells, who recognized Albert Castiglia (pronounced “kuh-STEEL-ya”) and took him on the road, A Stone’s Throw successfully blends flavors from Chicago, Austin, New York, New Orleans and Memphis
with a style that shows the emotion and understanding of the lyrics so lacking in many of today’s Blues “wannabe’s.”
Produced by Jack Kreisberg (Lionel Hampton, Elvin Jones, Gene Ludwig, Ben E. King, Nina Simone, and others) and engineered by Grammy-winner, Ben Elliott, this release captures a sound that feels as if it could come from any decade of the past, present and/or future. Cameo performances by Sandy Mack on harmonica and Ned Berndt on drums help fuel this recording as well. Appearing on the record is Castiglia’s mentor and collaborator, Graham Wood Drout (front man of the band, Iko-Iko), who wrote several songs on this release. Drout’s The Ghosts of Mississippi is a critic’s choice from several Blues magazines, Blues radio, and is also covered by IBC Award winner, Joey Gilmore, as the title track to his current release. Drout was instrumental in Castiglia’s rise as he allowed a once 17-year-old ambitious guitar player to sit in with his band and learn the lessons of reaching that deep place in your heart that this music has to touch for both performer and listener. Castiglia learned his lessons well and, with a great deal more life experience behind him to draw from, the power of his voice and playing is that of a seasoned Blues performer that defies the lines normally in place by today’s standards in the genre. Castiglia and Drout released a live acoustic CD in December of 2005 on Little Silver Records called The Bittersweet Sessions recorded at a performance in Florida.
In terms of the audio quality, A Stone’s Throw has a sort of random assortment of mixes and the sound quality may seem a little disjointed at times; however, and being true to the style of this music, it can be effective with a sense of capturing the moment. Mastering is slightly dark with regard to the AAC encryption used in the iTMS, but the sound is made up for in the sparkle from the performances that will catapult Castiglia, legacy and all, into your most frequently played song list with up-beat, foot stompin’ and rockin’ Blues collection that is A Stone’s Throw.
Stand out songs are “Big Toe,” “The Ghosts of Mississippi,” “Hoodoo Man Blues,” and a southern-rock feeling “Hurricane Blues.” On a personal note, I have watched Albert Castiglia develop his own style, grow as a performer, and stretch beyond the ceiling of his live shows with pride and interest. Am I slightly biased? Yes, but I believe that this is a performer that most listeners will also take pride in when they tell their friends about their discovery of this album—and it IS an album. Blues radio is embracing
A Stone’s Throw and clearly recognizes that there is something real here. It goes well beyond one person’s opinion and the energy, sincerity and power of this outstanding performer.
Performance: 9 out of 10 stars
Sound: 6 out of 10 stars
Album: 9 out of 10 stars
Overall: 8 out of 10 stars
The iTunes Music Store price for A Stone’s Throw is US$9.99.
jack kreisberg Says:
hi,thanks for the kind words,you hit it on the nail,i wanted to get albert sound in this recording ,row,live @real.we only had 3 days
to do the record albert had to leave to go back home,katrina was on her way...just for the record i have a latin grammy as a producer
of “paquito de`rivera quitet live at the blue note 2001”.thanks again jack…
Posted on May 19, 2006
Albert Castiglia "A Stone's Throw
"Blue Leaf Records BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO, © APRIL, 2006
What an absolute pleasure it is for me to be reviewing this CD. After reviewing products from so many unknown bands, in so many different cities, states and countries, I am really looking forward to writing about a performer that is a South Florida local and, in addition to having seen about one hundred times, is a very dear friend - MR. ALBERT CASTIGLIA. Sure, the cynics will be wondering if this review will be biased? If it may be over complimentary? And, if I may get over zealous with my praise? To all of them I say this - "PROBABLY"! On the other hand, what I say matters not - "A STONE'S THROW" will speak for itself and definitely back up anything that's said here verbally.
"A STONE'S THROW" is a mix of half a dozen covers, a few tracks written by GRAHAM WOOD DROUT - another South Florida local and fine musician himself - and a few of ALBERTS originals. Joining ALBERT, on Lead Vocals and Guitar are STEVE GASKELL on Bass, JERRYY MASCARO on Keyboards and Background Vocals, BOB AMSEL and NED BERNDT on Drums and SANDY MACK on Harmonica.
The CD opens with "BIG TOE". The first few bars lead you to believe it's a slow acoustic solo. Then, out of nowhere, ALBERT and JERRY light it up. With the rhythm section in a nice groove throughout, the guitar and organ - along with ALBERT'S vocals - highlight this track about a chain gang worker who, out of frustration from being abused by the big boss man, cuts off his big toe with his shovel. His rationale is that if he can't walk, he won't have to work. Can I borrow that shovel?
On "WALKING BLUES", a Robert Johnson cover, another of ALBERT'S strengths is highlighted - his smoking slide guitar playing. On this one he's relentless. JERRY on piano and NED on drums provide lots of hot support.Some fancy picking and more great slide add up to a hot serving of Delta Blues on "THE GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI". Other than some very soft and very nice background harmonica by SANDY, this one is all ALBERT. The guitar work is nothing but masterful.
"HURRICANE BLUES" is a song all too familiar to us South Floridians and our geographic neighbors. On this one ALBERT sings of summertime activities familiar to our residents. No, I don't mean going to the beach, sunning or surfing, I'm talking about battening down the hatches, hunkering down, putting up the shutters and getting out the wood and nails. On this track ALBERT'S guitar playing tears it up as bad as any hurricane can.
"PARTY TILL THE COWS COME HOME" is another highlight amongst highlights. On this one it's all about everyone. With JERRY leading the way on piano everyone falls into a very fast and fantastic jam. What else would you expect on an Elvin Bishop track? Immediately following is "RISE AND FALL OF FLINGEL BLUNT", a toned down instrumental on which STEVE and BOB provide ALBERT with lots of rhythm.
"CRYING THE BLUES", one of his originals, finds ALBERT doing what he does the best....singing and playing the blues. This track features vocals you can feel and has some of the best guitar licks on the disc.
"SITTIN HERE WAITIN" closes out "A STONE'S THROW" with a bang. It's one of those catchy sing-a-longs that gets all your limbs moving and just plain old makes you feel good. A big part of that is JERRY MASCARO'S wicked piano playing. He's one of the best piano players in South Florida and although I have seen him play in several bands, JERRY'S at his highest level since joining ALBERT.
Although ALBERT CASTIGLIA'S been around the block a few times - once as lead guitarist for Junior Wells and once as the opening act for Sandra Hall's tours, this time around it's him the people are wanting to see, it's him that's blowing away audiences and it's him the cheers, applause and curtain calls are for..........and deservedly so I must say.You can visit Albert Castiglia on the web at:
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