June 2000

Live At The Fillmore

It should come as no surprise that Tommy Castro can play to huge crowds at such venues as the Fillmore in San Francisco. Castro's seamless blend of blues, R&B, soul and rock generates wide appeal, and not because he waters down his music. He's just that good.

Live at the Fillmore, recorded in March 1999 to celebrate the release of Castro's third studio album, last year's Right As Rain, demonstrates his strengths as a singer, guitarist and band leader. In a short CD-ROM video clip included on the disc, Castro says he prefers to let the songs and the interaction of his band members --- not his guitar work --- drive the sound.

Castro practices what he preaches. But when he indulges in long solos, as he does here on the slow blues standard "My Time After Awhile," it's clear he could present himself as a guitar god if he so chose. Instead, Castro concentrates on entertaining his audience, trading licks with guest keyboard player Jim Pugh and sax man Keith Crossan, who steals the spotlight on a cover of James Brown's "Sex Machine."

Of the eleven tracks, only four are covers. Prompted by his signing to Blind Pig several years back, Castro has spent time woodshedding his song-writing skills. Hook-filled tunes such as "Right As Rain" and "Nasty Habits" show just how quickly he has progressed. Even when Castro wears his influences on his sleeve, he manages to revive the spirit of his heroes without merely imitating them. With the ballad "Just A Man", he pulls off a fine Stax variant with vocals that recall Otis Redding. Like Delbert McClinton, Castro has the ability to sing soul music with conviction.

Castro's rapport with the audience --- and his sheer joy in performing --- highlight this tight set, also available (with a slightly different song selection) in VHS and DVD formats. It's a fine calling card that should help expand his fan base and pack those clubs.

Michael Cote