April 7, 2005

This week, I'm as thrilled as a Republican congressman in a terminal-care hospice to report that singer-guitarist extraordinaire Tommy Castro has returned home to Blind Pig Records.

My fave modern blue-eyed soul man had been bumping around from label to label for the past several years, releasing, well, adequate CDs, but nothing approaching the tuff, old-school scorch evinced on his great Pig platters of yore. Were these other, non-porcine labels tampering with Castro's perfect formula? Can't say I rightly know, but the important thing is that the Castro/Blind Pig reunion has resulted in our hero's best-yet effort, which is saying much indeed, in the just-released, aptly-titled "Soul Shaker."

Highlights include "The Holdin' On," which storms your stereo like a prime Wilson Pickett (not bad for a white boy from San Jose); "Let's Give Love a Try," a new rock anthem for the ages; "Anytime Soon," which gives Southside Johnny a run for his money; and "Big Love," which features the greasiest proto-funk guitar lick you'll hear this side of Catfish Collins.

Pick this sucker up, crank it till the neighbors pelt your house with hambones and dig maestro Castro in concert, tomorrow night at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

Buddy Blue