Albert Castiglia: Grits and Glory Review
How in the world can you go wrong with an album titled Grits and Glory?
Albert Castiglia’s brand-new release is his fifteenth solo project, in addition to three Blood Brothers recordings with Mike Zito. Born in New York City to a Cuban mother and an Italian father, he moved to Miami at age five and began learning to play guitar at about age 12. He later attended college, graduating with a liberal arts degree before securing a job with the State of Florida as a social services investigator.
In 1990, Castiglia co-founded the blues band Miami Blues Authority, where he spent about seven years as lead guitarist and vocalist. In 1997, he was named Best Blues Guitarist by Miami New Times. He later moved to Chicago to join Junior Wells’ touring band, where he remained until Wells’ death in 1998. Castiglia recorded his first solo album, Burn, in 2002, followed by a string of successful releases. He also joined forces with Mike Zito to form Blood Brothers, a band that combined members of both of their groups. A multi-award-nominated artist and recipient of honors including Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year, Castiglia continues to deliver exceptional guitar playing, singing and songwriting.
Grits and Glory is another admirable piece of work from Albert Castiglia and his band, which, by the way, is his touring band: Cliff Moore (bass) and Ray Hangen (drums). To make this album even more special, it was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in England.
“I’m Afraid to Fall Asleep” is a song whose title speaks to something I bet we’ve all dealt with at one time or another. Castiglia sings, “Sometimes I fail to say my prayers and God thinks I don’t care.” This tune comes out of the gate with some electrifying guitar work by Castiglia. It’s a great piece that makes us think about just how human and fragile we really are. I love the line, “Don’t let the angels take me home.” This one is full of vivid imagery and smoking guitar work.
On the third track, “Uncertainty,” hypnotic slide guitar opens the door for a rocking entry into this “love hurts” piece. Castiglia sings, “You say you love me and then you go and run around with other guys.” Can I get a witness on the subject matter here? That’s what I thought. He continues with, “Even though I’m broken, I keep coming back for more.” If this hasn’t been you or me, then we surely know somebody who comes right to mind.
A screaming guitar lead break showcases his musicianship and offers further proof of why Castiglia is considered one of the best guitarists in the blues world today.
On track four, “Michigan Avenue,” Castiglia opens with classic-sounding rock guitar and sings about the area around Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. There’s lots more awesome guitar work in this one. He sings, “They were body snatching on Michigan Avenue” and “They ran them out of Michigan Avenue.” This tune is one of the heaviest rockers on the album, and I just love the term “body snatching.” What do you imagine when you hear that? I’ll leave that to your own imagination and interpretation.
This album also contains a couple of really well-done instrumentals that I’d like to mention before going further. Both are excellent showcases for just how great this band really is.
The ninth track on Grits and Glory is a funky number called “When the Coin Came Calling.” I love the picking Albert Castiglia delivers here, not to mention the great keyboard work. Castiglia sings, “But the road don’t wait, and I can’t stall it. I had to go when the coin came callin’.”
This song has to be about chasing a dream while missing funerals and birthdays. It ends with the line, “Ain’t no glory in that curtain falling. But I showed up when the coin came calling.” Then Castiglia cleverly adds, “I’m out of here. Got to make that paper. So long.”
This whole album is full of great musicianship, clever and relevant songwriting that invites interpretation by the listener, and Albert Castiglia’s dedication to being a bona fide, genuine, amplified, not confined, authentic blues music master.
You can find many samples of Albert Castiglia’s music on YouTube, including songs from this album. The band will be on the road in Europe as well as throughout the U.S. in July and August, and Albert Castiglia will also be performing with Mike Zito as part of Blood Brothers on select dates.
As I always suggest, try to make it out to a live show if you can. If not, buy their music. You won’t be disappointed, and our support is what allows these great blues bands to keep doing what they do.
The Review: 9/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– I’m Afraid To Fall Asleep
– Uncertainty
– Michigan Avenue
– When The Coin Came Calling
The Big Hit
– Michigan Avenue
