Spring 2003

When the co-brainchild of a new label also happens to be one of the key artists, one would expect a less than enthusiastic debut, but that certainly isn't the case with Gratitude. To kick off a new label, Tommy Castro elected to saturate a complete disc of all covers that hold a special place in his musical soul and debarks on a fun-filled maiden business voyage. The authors of the twelve selected tracks read as a "Who's Who" from a blues/soul/R&B/rock Hall of Fame roster. "Come Back Baby", the Ray Charles chestnut, Otis Redding's "Lovey Dovey", with Monica Parker duetting with Tommy on vocals, and Wilson Pickett's "I Found Love" with Curtis Salgado making a cameo, capture Tommy at his soulful best, just how many white musicians would attempt one of these treasures, never mind the full compliment? From the blues corner, Tommy provides, "44", the Howlin' Wolf classic, BB King's "Bad Case of Love", to Albert King's "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven", and Muddy Water's timeless classic, "I Wants To Be Loved."

Tommy absolutely slays these covers, while respectfully paying homage to the artists who have shaped and influenced his sound and musical persona. Gratitude features the Tommy Castro Band in exceptional form. To date Tommy has certainly never surged with more conviction, or displayed more fervent guitar playing. This disc drips with passion, packs a welterweight punch, and supplies enough power to fuel an electrical storm.

Gerry Donnelly