Albert Castiglia(born August 12, 1969) is an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. Castiglia has variously worked alongsideJunior Wells,Sandra Hall,Aron Burton,Pinetop Perkins,Melvin Taylor,Sugar Blue,Phil Guy,Ronnie Earl,Billy Boy Arnold,Ronnie Baker Brooks,John Primer,Lurrie Bell,Jerry Portnoy,Larry McCray,Eddy ClearwaterandOtis Clay.[1]
Albert Castiglia | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 12, 1969 New York City, United States |
| Genres | Electric blues[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, guitarist |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Various includingRuf Records |
| Website | Official website |
AllMusicnoted that "Castiglia combines hardcore blues with soul, rock, and country flavors for a sound that will appeal to rockers and blues purists alike."[2]His vocal style has been compared to that ofVan Morrison.[3]
Life and career
editCastiglia (pronounced "ka-steel-ya" ) was born in New York City, United States, to a Cuban mother and an Italian father. He moved with his family to Miami, Florida, when he was five years old and commenced learning the guitar seven years later.[1]
Castiglia joined the Miami Blues Authority in 1990 and was named the 'best blues guitarist in Miami' by theMiami New Timesin 1997.[1][4]Following a college education, Castiglia worked for four years for the state of Florida as a social services investigator.[5]Discovered singing byJunior Wellsin 1996,[6]he joined his touring band and worked as Wells' lead guitarist until the latter's death in 1998.[1]By now living in Chicago, Illinois, Castiglia found work withSandra Halland toured with himself until the end of the century.[1]In 2002, Castiglia joinedDavid Shelley[7]in the Alligator Alley Allstars, a "blues and roots super group"[8]at Alligator Alley,[9]a "Native Florida" restaurant and live music venue (named for the nearbyswamp highway).[10]
His first solo work,Burn,was self-released in 2004, followed in 2006 withThe Bittersweet Sessions,where he collaborated with Graham Wood Drout. TheNew Jersey–based Blues Leaf Records then issued Castiglia's 2006 album,A Stone's Throw.It contained his versions of the Junior Wells song, "Hoodoo Man Blues"andThe Shadows' "The Rise and Fall of Flingle Bunt".[11]In April 2008,These Are the Dayswas released, which included Castiglia's tribute to his former employer Junior Wells called "Godfather of the Blues", as well ascover versionsofBob Dylan's "Catfish",Nappy Brown's "Night Time Is the Right Time",Fenton Robinson's "Somebody Loan Me a Dime", andLittle Willie John's track "Need Your Love So Bad".[1]These Are the Dayssaw Castiglia get a nomination for aBlues Music Awardfor his self-penned song, "Bad Year Blues."[6]He continued to tour and supported bothZZ TopandElvin Bishop.[3]
Keepin On(2010), recorded inDover, New Jersey,featured five tracks written by Castiglia, plus covers of songs byJohn Lee Hooker( "Goin' Upstairs" ),Mack Rice( "Cadillac Assembly Line" ),T-Bone Walker( "My Baby is Now On My Mind" ),Peter Green( "I Could Not Ask for More" ),[3]Robert Nighthawk( "Murderin' Blues" ) and Bob Dylan ( "Till I Fell In Love With You" ).[2][6]Living the Dream(2012), included contributions onHammond B3 organand piano fromJohn Ginty.[12]Roots Music Report bestowed him with the Top Blues Album Award for 2011 and 2012.[13]In December 2013, Castiglia performed at theBradenton Blues Festival.
In March 2014, Castiglia signed a recording contract withRuf Records.His seventh album in all and his first on Ruf Records wasSolid Ground,which was recorded inGlen Ridge, New Jersey.[13]It contained theLefty Dizz-penned track "Bad Avenue", Castiglia's version of the blues standard, "Goin' Down Slow",and a cover ofthe Rolling Stones,"Sway".[5]Solid Groundpeaked at number 10 in the USBillboardTop Blues Albumschart.[14]
In 2015, Castiglia made a guest appearance onJohn Ginty's albums,Bad News Travelsand the subsequentBad News Travels (Live).[15][16][17]
In May 2020, Castiglia won a Blues Music Award in the 'Blues Rock Album of the Year' category for his album,Masterpiece.[18]In 2023, he won two Blues Music Awards as 'Blues Rock Artist of the Year' and 'Blues Rock Album of the Year' forI Got Love.[19]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Burn | Self-released |
| 2006 | The Bittersweet Sessions | Self released |
| 2006 | A Stone's Throw | Blues Leaf Records |
| 2008 | These Are the Days | Blues Leaf Records |
| 2010 | Keepin On | Blues Leaf Records |
| 2012 | Living the Dream | Blues Leaf Records |
| 2014 | Solid Ground | Ruf Records |
| 2015 | Blues Caravan 2014 | Ruf Records |
| 2016 | Big Dog | Ruf Records |
| 2017 | Up All Night | Ruf Records |
| 2019 | Masterpiece | Gulf Coast Records/Select-O-Hits |
| 2020 | Wild And Free | Gulf Coast Records |
| 2022 | I Got Love | Gulf Coast Records |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdefg"Albert Castiglia | Biography & History".AllMusic.1969-08-12.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^ab"Keepin On – Albert Castiglia | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.2010-08-10.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^abc"(Featuring Albert Castiglia)".Blues Underground Network. 2010-08-10.Retrieved2016-01-10.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Albert Castiglia – Tickets – Sellersville Theater 1894 – Sellersville, PA – September 17th, 2015 | Sellersville Theater".St94.com.2015-09-17. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-09.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^ab"Albert Castiglia – Solid Ground | Album Review".Blues Blast Magazine. 2014-06-09.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^abc"Albert Castiglia".ReverbNation.com.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^Hambright, Courtney (2005-07-28)."Kilmo, Represent | New Times Broward-Palm Beach".Browardpalmbeach.com.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^Zimmerman, Lee (2012-03-13)."Backstage In South Florida: Native Florida Tap Room & Music Hall Offers South Florida's Coolest New Hangout".Browardpalmbeach.com.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"ALLIGATOR ALLEY – Restaurant – BBQ – Tap Room – Music Hall – HOME".Alligatoralleynola.com.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"David Shelley, Fort Lauderdale blues guitarist, dies".Sun Sentinel. 2015-08-10. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-09-24.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"A Stone's Throw – Albert Castiglia | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.2006-04-11.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"Living the Dream – Albert Castiglia | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.2012-06-12.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^ab"Albert Castiglia".Albertcastiglia.net.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"Solid Ground – Albert Castiglia | Awards".AllMusic.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"John Ginty – Bad News Travels – The Showplace Sessions LIVE DVD".Making A Scene!. 14 August 2014.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"Albert Castiglia | Credits".AllMusic.1969-08-12.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^"Bad News Travels [Live] – John Ginty | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.Retrieved2016-01-10.
- ^McKay, Robin."BLUES MUSIC AWARDS".Blues.org.RetrievedMay 4,2020.
- ^Grein, Paul (May 12, 2023)."Tommy Castro Repeats as Entertainer of the Year at 2023 Blues Music Awards: Full Winners List".Billboard.com.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
- ^"Albert Castiglia | Album Discography".AllMusic.1969-08-12.Retrieved2016-01-10.