Righteous Souls
Gulf Coast, 2024
9/10
The always impressive bluesman Albert Castiglia assembles an all-star cast for these 11 timeless and riff filled blues tracks.
“Centerline” opens with Popa Chubby’s soaring guitar chops complementing the rugged yet tuneful blues rock that welcomes plenty of backing vocals, and “Get Down To The Nitty Gritty” follows with a bouncy spirit, as Alabama Mike lends his sturdy vocals to the rhythmic landscape.
Deeper into the listen, “All Our Past Times” welcomes Danielle Nicole and Joe Bonamassa to the heartfelt and meticulous delivery of emotive songwriting, while “Come On In This House” recruits Rick Estrin’s animated harmonica that suits the raw flavor of the album’s best.
Further still, “No Tears Left to Cry” benefits much from Gary Hoey’s precise guitar and Derrick D’Mar Martin’s skilled drumming, and “What My Mama Told Me’ spotlights Monster Mike Welch’s inimitable guitar prowess via the gritty and dense exit of flowing and dynamic blues.
Castiglia never disappoints, and with this stacked lineup he continues to make some of the best modern blues to date that’s all power and sincerity.
Travels well with: Albert Castiglia- I Got Love; Mike Zito- Life Is Hard