Albert Castiglia

Righteous Souls

Gulf Coast Records

Although born in New York City, the Miami-raised Albert Castiglia served his apprenticeship backing the legendary blues musician Junior Wells. He later went on to work with singer Sandra Hall. He embarked on a solo career and recorded his debut album “Burn” in 2002. Blues artists are usually not overnight sensations but Castiglia’s drought didn’t come to an end until 2020. It was the release of his album “Masterpiece”, inspired by the discovery that he had a daughter by a former girlfriend, the album resulting in Castiglia winning his first Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Album of the Year. Castiglia followed-up in 2022 winning another BMA for “Blood Brothers” as Blues Rock Artist of the Year. Castiglia repeated winning again, in both those categories in 2023, for his album “I Got Love”. Castiglia garnished his fifth BMA, as 2024’s Contemporary Blues Rock Album of the Year. Castiglia has now won five BMA Awards in the last two years. Now they say the sky’s the limit.

“Righteous Souls” was recorded at Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studios, and is co-produced by Mike Zito and Andersen. They open the album up with “Centerline”. Guitarist/vocalist, Castiglia is joined by Popa Chubby who supplies both 2nd guitar and harmony vocals. The ensemble is rounded out by keyboardists Jim Pugh, and Kid Andersen. The latter also plays guitar and bass, while Jack Sanford is on sax, and Eddie Tarczy, harpsichord. The fine rhythm section is Jerry Jemmott, bass; and Derrick D’Mar Martin, drums.

“Get Down To The Nitty Gritty” features Alabama Mike singing on a song by Luther “Snake Boy” Johnson first recorded in the mid-1970’s, “if you don’t know what to do woman, you might as well forget it”. On “Mama, I Love You” written by Castiglia, guitarist Kevin Burt, and Jemmott; Castiglia moans “for folks of color, it’s open season”. Willie Dixon’s “You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover”, recorded by Bo Diddley in 1962, includes the new lyric “you can’t judge a daughter by looking at the mother”. “All Our Past Times” written by Rick Danko and Eric Clapton, feature both vocalist/guitarists Danielle Nicole and Joe Bonamassa “I don’t wanna’ be the one who says I’m sorry, I don’t care how much it costs as long as I can see your face again”.

Written by Castiglia “Till They Take It Away” features Ally Venable as Castiglia chimes “all is well til’ it’s gone…don’t listen until they take it away”. “Come On In This House” was written by Junior Wells and appears on a 1996 album with the same title, the keyboards are played by Pugh and/or Andersen while Rick Estrin blows his harmonica “come back baby, cause I’m the one to blame”. On “You Were Wrong” Jimmy Carpenter plays sax, and he takes a brilliant solo, on this 1964 B-Side from Z.Z. Hill.

“The Dollar Done Fell” is a song, first recorded by Buddy Guy in 1980, and features guitarist Josh Smith, “only got two shopping bags in my hands, the mighty dollar done fell”. “No Tears Left To Cry” written by Castiglia features Gary Hoey on a national resonator guitar “tried to leave it all behind”. The closer “What My Momma Told Me” is another song from Junior Wells, recorded live at Teresa’s Lounge in 1975, featuring Estrin on harp, and Monster Mike Welch on guitar, “if I had done, just like my momma told me…I wouldn’t have to work, I wouldn’t have to sing the blues”.

“Righteous Souls” includes Castiglia’s take on four new originals and seven covers. The album is chock-full of his blistering guitar licks and soulful vocals that send a powerful blues message. The sky’s the limit.

Richard Ludmerer

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