Showing posts with label Albert Castiglia. Show all posts

Saturday, March 29, 2025

#738- > Tony Holiday - Keep Your Head Up (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Tony Holiday

Keep Your Head Up
2025 – Forty Below Records
Release Date : Apr. 18, 2025

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 29, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

There is new music from Tony Holiday and it is outstanding. Keep Your Head Up, the fifth album from the Memphis-based bluesman pulls me tightly in with its soulful grooves and expressive blues. This eight-track release, produced by Eric Corne, features Jad Tariq on guitar on each song and includes an amazing guest list consisting of Edde 9V, Kevin Burt, Laura Chavez, and Albert Castiglia.

From the beginning of the album, I’m onboard. In a splash of Seventies dramatic R&B, Holiday is joined by Eddie 9V on “She’s a Burglar”. I love the fiery guitar licks Eddie lets loose on top of the horns and keys. “Twist My Fate” brings Kevin Burt, triple winner of the 2018 International Blues Challenge, to the microphone to join Holiday in a fabulously blues-soaked duet. I absolutely love the cover of Little Sonny’s 1971 single “Woman Named Trouble”. Previously recorded on Enterprise Records, a subsidiary of Stax Records, this version strongly emits that Stax rhythmic sound fueled by drummer Andrew McNeil, keyboardist Sasha Smith, and a horn section comprised of Mark Pender and David Ralicke. That Memphis soul-driven sound carries on as 2023 Blues Music Award winner for Best Guitarist Laura Chavez steps in on lead guitar for “Shoulda Known Better”. It’s great to hear Albert Castiglia join in for a riveting cover of the Snooks Eaglin 1971 cut “Drive It Home”. This one absolutely cooks.

Tony Holiday’s Keep Your Head Up sits among my favorite albums of the year. I highly recommend it.

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Photo Credit - Mary Gunning

WEBSITE & SOCIALS

Tony Holiday

https://tonyholidaymusic.com/

Past articles on PhillyCheeze Rock & Blues Reviews featuring Tony Holiday

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tony+holiday

Saturday, March 1, 2025

#734- > Dean Zucchero - Song For the Sinners (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Pugnacious Records

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 1, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I first became aware of Dean Zucchero through his work on Ghalia Volt’s Let the Demons Out and her One Woman Band albums. It was Zucchero’s Electric Church for the Spiritually Misguided which really brought him into the forefront of my awareness. His talents as a songwriter and bass player are strongly coupled with his talents for song arrangement and music production. Zucherro’s latest release Song For the Sinners serves up a luscious feast of a dozen blues-soaked tracks. The record features an amazing list of guests such as Jimmy Vivino, Johnny Burgin, Bobby Rush, Victor Wainwright, Albert Castiglia, Little Freddie King, Mike Zito, John Nemeth, John Boutté, Tiffany Pollack, Glen David Andrews, Sean Riley, Ron Hotstream, Jake Eckert, and Jerry Dugger.

Zucchero leads the album off in a blast of heavy blues-rock with “Biting Through”. With Vivino on the mic, lead and rhythm guitar, along with Burgin on second rhythm guitar, this searing track oozes with true grit, reminiscent of bands like Mountain and Blue Cheer. The funky blues of “South Side” draws me in with a welcoming New Orleans-flavored groove and keeps me tuned in with its depiction of the city’s warzones overrun by pushers and criminals. Topped with the brassy sounds of The Roadmasters’ Horn Section and the whisky-soaked vocals from Andrews, this track is indeed a favorite. Another standout selection is the folk-blues track called “Lullaby” with Dugger on vocals, Rush on harmonica, and Eckert on dobro/electric guitar. This ode to making through the night brings to mind the writings of Taj Mahal. Castiglia and Pollack are paired for the glorious duet “Shine”. Pollack’s voice is absolutely illuminating and Castiglia also joins on lead guitar culminating in a free-wheeling Grateful Dead-like jam. Unspeakable acts and an unescapable situation result in a girl’s dire fate in “Suicide For Jesus”. Hotstream, on acoustic guitar and vocals, beautifully performs this melancholy song in troubadour fashion.

The depth that Zucchero goes to in developing his songs is a stand-out reason I admire his work. From the very first listen, Song For the Sinners had my full attention. I highly recommend this record.

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WEBSITE & SOCIALS

Dean Zucchero

https://www.deanzucchero.com/

Read other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Dean Zucchero here >

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=dean+zucchero

Monday, May 13, 2024

#683 : Big Llou's Fundraiser and Vizztone Showcase : Memphis on Beale St. - May 8, 2024 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Blues Music Awards Showcase
Presented by BratGirlmedia
Rum Boogie Cafe
Memphis, Tennessee
May 8, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I made it down to Memphis for the Blues Music Awards last year for the very first time. I had so much fun and heard so much fantastic music, I had to return for another round this year. It was another amazing experience.
On May 8th, the evening before the BMA's, I attended a pair of music showcases. One was Big Llou's 10th Annual Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Fundraiser at Alfred's on Beale, The other was Vizztone's All-Star Blues Party on Beale St./Blues Music Award Showcase at Rum Boogie Cafe.
And just like last year, without camera in tow, I still captured a few photos of these fabulous events on my iPhone while I bounced back and forth between the venues.
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* all photos by Phillip Smith

Big Llou's at Alfreds