Tommy Castro
Soul Shaker
(Blind Pig BPCD 5094)
During the second half of the '90s, Tommy Castro helped to develop the
contemporary blues sound of today. He grew up in San Jose, and became enthralled with the
blues after realizing who influenced Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield. In 1991, Castro
formed his own group. He sings charismatically, plays wailing guitar, and writes forceful
rock and soul numbers. Soul Shaker is his first CD for Blind Pig in four years. Since
leaving the swine label, he has appeared on a series of independent labels and one other
major label. Ironically, Castro matured the most during his years away from Blind Pig.
Now, he returns and presents his best CD as a peace-offering.
The CD's 12 songs were all written by Castro, who was assisted on each
by other writers and band members. Throughout, he seems to be self-reflecting and
soul-searching. ("This road's like another wife,") states Castro on "Take
Me Off The Road". Time and time again, the ghost of Otis Redding can be heard in
Castro's vocals that moan, shout, scream and hum. Shivers will run down your spine when
hearing lyrics like: ("I know that a time will come I don't have to worry/I can see a
time when the future looked so bright/I can see a time when nobody got a reason to
fight/I'm only dreaming, but I hope and I pray that I'll live to see that day") on
"Anytime Soon". You hear thoughts of hope, but detect age has brought on deep
cynicism that cuts into the enthusiasm. The emotion-drenched tune is somewhat modeled on
Redding's "Dock Of The Bay". It gets my vote for song of the year.
If "Anytime Soon" is the dream crusher, then "What You
Gonna' Do Now" is the reality we are left facing. This thought-provoking song
expresses questions that many of us cannot or do not want to address. How often have you
considered: ("now that the party's over/now that your getting older/don't you wonder
what its all about/forget all about what you should have done/the best just might be yet
to come"). "Wake Up Call" features a rhythm that is repetitious, but
delicious. The song's funky groove hook motivates you while the bewildering horns of Keith
Crossan and Tom Poole complement the guitar. "The Crossanova" sounds like a
flashback to the Booker T & The MG's era. "The Next Right Thing" is sleek
and sheik, and loaded with funk thanks to The New Directions robust backing vocals. The
maestro slide of Roy Rogers is a standout on the title track.
This is a group effort with no one hogging the spotlight. If anything,
it's Castro's electrifying vocals which will draw your attention the most. You won't find
much blues here, Castro's focus has shifted to rock "Just Like Me" and soul
"Anytime Soon", and he excels at both. In a different age, Castro would have
been the king of FM radio.
- Tim Holek -
Southwest Blues CD Review - April 2005
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