April 20, 2003

Over the past decade Tommy Castro has proven himself to be more than a journeyman blues player, and his albums have highlighted a talent that is able to hone songs as well as fire some new life into old gems. Anyone who has attended his live shows knows that Castro loves to pepper them with some old R& B or blues numbers as a way to surprise the audience and to get them dancing if they weren't already deliriously bouncing around the dance floor.

With Gratitude, Castro gives a searing nod to his influences and shows that his work is far more worthy than many have acknowledged thus far. Castro arrived prior to this disc with his releases such as Exception to the Rule, Right as Rain, and Guilty of Love. All are great releases and should be part of any blues fan's collection. Yet, this disc shows us some of the folks who have had a major influence on his oeuvre, while at the same time showing us that he has not only learned the lessons of the masters, but he has put his signature on them.

The set includes soul, R& B, and some blues that have grooves which allow the whole band to show off its talents. It launches a rousing version of "I Take What I Want" as the opening cut and hardly slows down to catch its collective breath. John Turk's rabid piano work pulses, Keith Crossan's sax punctuates it, all while Castro's guitar grinds away soulfully.

Castro and company do a fine turn on "44" that goes beyond doing Howlin' Wolf justice, and that is followed by a good rendition of "Bad Case of Love" which his tour mate, B. B. King made popular. Yet, it's the songs that are probably a little less obvious, such as Albert King's "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, "Willie Dixon's "I Wants To Be Loved," and a cover of a song James Brown did, "I Feel That Old feeling Coming On" that really captures Castro's best singing along with fire from the band.

For those who have liked the way Castro could slow the pace, but turn up the heat, they won't be disappointed. The slow burn on Ray Charles' "Come Back Baby," John Lee Hooker's "It Serves You Right To Suffer," and Wilson Pickett's "I Found A Love" all smolder with passion and are great for grinding on the dance floor or in the living room. They are definite date cuts to program into the CD player, even if you're married.

These songs are vintage Castro moments and they serve the larger picture of what Castro accomplishes on this disc. Not only does he show his gratitude for those who have come before him and given him inspiration, but he puts heart and soul back into the blues.
John Koetzner

Used with permission from The Blues Site.