The charismatic Albert Castiglia is one of our most preeminent blues-rockers, a certified badass, an engaging entertainer, and an underrated guitarist. As we learn on his 13th solo album, Grits & Glory, he’s also an unapologetic songwriter in touch with our chaotic times. It’s by far his most expansive album, as one of the few roots-blues artists who covers The Beatles and John Coltrane on the same record.
There are several threads here. He recorded live at Abbey Road Studios, working in the same space where The Beatles recorded their White Album and Pink Floyd laid down Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. For the first time, Castiglia demonstrates an affinity for jazz in a searing take of Mongo Santamaria’s…
Tag Archive: Albert Castiglia
Help Yourself, is the second studio album from Blood Brothers, the supergroup formed by blues rock heavyweights Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia. The album was recorded with the full band live in studio to capture the raw energy of a live show, with Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys, and double drumming from Matt Johnson and Ray Hangen. The album is pure traditional blues rock excellence infused with soul and gospel elements, and it all shines. This joint ain’t no sophomore slump, that’s for sure.
Soul and gospel influences are as heavy in the instrumentation and vocals as blues and rock, making this a wholly successful fusion album. For most of the tracks, Zito and Castiglia trade off vocals, each holding their own as they bring…