Albert Castiglia

Last updated
Albert Castiglia
Born (1969-08-12) August 12, 1969 (age 55)
New York City, United States
Genres Electric blues [1]
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1990–present
LabelsVarious including Ruf Records
Website Official website

Albert Castiglia (born August 12, 1969) is an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. Castiglia has variously worked alongside Junior 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 Clearwater and Otis Clay. [1]

Contents

AllMusic noted 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 of Van Morrison. [3]

Life and career

Castiglia (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 the Miami New Times in 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 by Junior Wells in 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 with Sandra Hall and toured with himself until the end of the century. [1] In 2002, Castiglia joined David 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 nearby swamp highway). [10]

His first solo work, Burn, was self-released in 2004, followed in 2006 with The Bittersweet Sessions, where he collaborated with Graham Wood Drout. The New 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" and The Shadows' "The Rise and Fall of Flingle Bunt". [11] In April 2008, These Are the Days was released, which included Castiglia's tribute to his former employer Junior Wells called "Godfather of the Blues", as well as cover versions of Bob Dylan's "Catfish", Nappy Brown's "Night Time Is the Right Time", Fenton Robinson's "Somebody Loan Me a Dime", and Little Willie John's track "Need Your Love So Bad". [1] These Are the Days saw Castiglia get a nomination for a Blues Music Award for his self-penned song, "Bad Year Blues." [6] He continued to tour and supported both ZZ Top and Elvin Bishop. [3]

Keepin On (2010), recorded in Dover, New Jersey, featured five tracks written by Castiglia, plus covers of songs by John 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 on Hammond B3 organ and piano from John Ginty. [12] Roots Music Report bestowed him with the Top Blues Album Award for 2011 and 2012. [13] In December 2013, Castiglia performed at the Bradenton Blues Festival.

In March 2014, Castiglia signed a recording contract with Ruf Records. His seventh album in all and his first on Ruf Records was Solid Ground, which was recorded in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. [13] It contained the Lefty Dizz-penned track "Bad Avenue", Castiglia's version of the blues standard, "Goin' Down Slow", and a cover of the Rolling Stones, "Sway". [5] Solid Ground peaked at number 10 in the US Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. [14]

In 2015, Castiglia made a guest appearance on John Ginty's albums, Bad News Travels and the subsequent Bad 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' for I Got Love. [19]

Discography

Albums

YearTitleRecord label
2004BurnSelf-released
2006The Bittersweet SessionsSelf released
2006A Stone's ThrowBlues Leaf Records
2008These Are the DaysBlues Leaf Records
2010Keepin OnBlues Leaf Records
2012Living the DreamBlues Leaf Records
2014Solid Ground Ruf Records
2015Blues Caravan 2014Ruf Records
2016Big DogRuf Records
2017Up All NightRuf Records
2019MasterpieceGulf Coast Records/Select-O-Hits
2020Wild And FreeGulf Coast Records
2022I Got LoveGulf Coast Records

[20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Son Seals</span> American blues guitarist and singer

Frank "Son" Seals was an American electric blues guitarist and singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert King</span> American blues musician (1923–1992)

Albert Nelson, known by his stage name Albert King, was an American guitarist and singer who is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential blues guitarists of all time. He is perhaps best known for his popular and influential album Born Under a Bad Sign (1967) and its title track. He, B. B. King, and Freddie King, all unrelated, were known as the "Three Kings of the Blues". The left-handed Albert King was known for his "deep, dramatic sound that was widely imitated by both blues and rock guitarists".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otis Rush</span> American blues singer and guitarist (1934–2018)

Otis Rush Jr. was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. His distinctive guitar style featured a slow-burning sound and long bent notes. With qualities similar to the styles of other 1950s artists Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as West Side Chicago blues and was an influence on many musicians, including Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Collins</span> American blues guitarist and singer (1932–1993)

Albert Gene Collins was an American electric blues guitarist and singer with a distinctive guitar style. He was noted for his powerful playing and his use of altered tunings and a capo. His long association with the Fender Telecaster led to the title "The Master of the Telecaster".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruf Records</span> German record label

Ruf Records is a German independent record label, which was founded in 1994 by Luther Allison’s manager, Thomas Ruf, to promote Allison's career. The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008, Ruf had produced 120 releases, sold over one million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinsley Ellis</span> American blues and rock musician

Tinsley Ellis is an American blues and rock musician, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and grew up in South Florida. According to Billboard, "nobody has released more consistently excellent blues albums than Atlanta's Tinsley Ellis. He sings like a man possessed and wields a mean lead guitar."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt "Guitar" Murphy</span> American blues guitarist

Matthew Tyler Murphy, known as Matt "Guitar" Murphy, was an American blues guitarist. He was associated with Memphis Slim, The Blues Brothers and Howlin' Wolf. In 2012, Murphy was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carey Bell</span> American blues musician

Carey Bell Harrington was an American blues musician who played harmonica in the Chicago blues style. Bell played harmonica and bass guitar for other blues musicians from the late 1950s to the early 1970s before embarking on a solo career. Besides his own albums, he recorded as an accompanist or duo artist with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Taylor, Louisiana Red and Jimmy Dawkins and was a frequent partner with his son, the guitarist Lurrie Bell. Blues Revue called Bell "one of Chicago's finest harpists." The Chicago Tribune said Bell was "a terrific talent in the tradition of Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter." In 2023, he was inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame.

"Sway" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. It was also released as the b-side of the "Wild Horses" single in June 1971. This single was released in the US only. Initial pressings of the single contain an alternate take; later pressings include the album version instead.

<i>Showdown!</i> 1985 studio album by Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland

Showdown! is a collaborative blues album by guitarists Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland, released in 1985 through Alligator Records. The album is mostly original material, with cover versions of songs like T-Bone Walker's "T-Bone Shuffle", Muddy Waters' "She's into Something" and Ray Charles' "Blackjack". Collins, Cray and Copeland were supported by Johnny B. Gayden and Allen Batts, who at the time were members of Collins' Icebreakers, and Alligator's household artist Casey Jones. In the album's sleeve notes, producers Bruce Iglauer and Dick Shurman wrote that Copeland and Cray were both supported by Collins early in their careers, and how the three musicians often crossed paths since, making this collaborative effort a "thirty years in the making" project. Showdown! was one of Alligator's most successful albums, peaking at #124 on the US charts and selling over 175,000 units worldwide. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Recording in 1986. It was re-released on CD by Alligator in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil' Ed Williams</span> American blues musician

Lil' Ed Williams is an American blues slide guitarist, singer and songwriter. With his backing band, the Blues Imperials, he has built up a loyal following.

Lacy Gibson was an American Chicago blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He notably recorded the songs "My Love Is Real" and "Switchy Titchy" and in a long and varied career worked with Buddy Guy and Son Seals.

John Ginty is an American organist, keyboard player, and session musician. He was a founding member of Robert Randolph's "Family Band", and is often seen guesting with such jamband luminaries as the Allman Brothers, Santana, Govt. Mule, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Widespread Panic. In 2001 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, Ginty was the recipient of the Jammy Award for best new band alongside his Family Bandmates. Ginty has spent a large portion of his career working with many top artist as a session musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selwyn Birchwood</span> American blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter

Selwyn Birchwood is an American blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter from Tampa, Florida. He was the winner of the Blues Foundation’s 2013 International Blues Challenge, as well the winner of the Albert King Guitarist of the Year award, presented at the same event. To win, he bested 125 other bands from around the world. Birchwood plays electric guitar and electric lap steel guitar. His live performances feature his original songs. Living Blues magazine said, "Selwyn Birchwood is making waves, surprising people and defying expectations. Be on the lookout. He revels in the unexpected." The Tampa Tribune said Birchwood plays with "power and precision reminiscent of blues guitar hero Buddy Guy. He is a gritty vocalist [who is] commanding with his axe." Rolling Stone said "Birchwood is a young, powerhouse guitarist and soulful vocalist. Don't Call No Ambulance is a remarkable debut by a major player." The Washington Post said, "Selwyn Birchwood is an indelibly modern and original next-generation bluesman; his tough vocals, guitar and lap steel touch on classic Chicago blues, Southern soul and boogie."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Shelley</span> Musical artist

David Joseph Shelley was an American blues rock musician who performed with Cher and released two critically acclaimed albums, That's My Train (2012) and Trick Bag (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vasti Jackson</span> American singer-songwriter

Vasti Jackson is an American electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and record producer. He has also been the musical director, and guitarist for Z. Z. Hill, Johnnie Taylor, Denise LaSalle, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, and Katie Webster, plus Jackson has worked with those involved in gospel music including the Williams Brothers, the Jackson Southernaires, and Daryl Coley.

Laurence Jones is an English blues rock guitarist, and singer-songwriter. He has released four solo albums to date and is signed to Ruf Records. Jones has won four British Blues Awards, including 'Young Artist of the Year' for three consecutive years.

Elizabeth Thomasian Neals, professionally known as Eliza Neals, is an American blues rock singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and arranger. She has released ten albums since 1997. Neals counts Barrett Strong and Joe Louis Walker as her mentors and inspiration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliana Cargnelutti</span> Musical artist

Eliana Cargnelutti is an Italian blues rock singer, guitarist and songwriter. Cargnelutti has collaborated with various blues musicians including Scott Henderson, Ana Popovìc and Enrico Crivellaro. She has released four albums since 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Albert Castiglia | Biography & History". AllMusic. 1969-08-12. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  2. 1 2 "Keepin On – Albert Castiglia | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  3. 1 2 3 "(Featuring Albert Castiglia)". Blues Underground Network. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2016-01-10.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Albert Castiglia – Tickets – Sellersville Theater 1894 – Sellersville, PA – September 17th, 2015 | Sellersville Theater". St94.com. 2015-09-17. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  5. 1 2 "Albert Castiglia – Solid Ground | Album Review". Blues Blast Magazine. 2014-06-09. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  6. 1 2 3 "Albert Castiglia". ReverbNation.com. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  7. ↑ Hambright, Courtney (2005-07-28). "Kilmo, Represent | New Times Broward-Palm Beach". Browardpalmbeach.com. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  8. ↑ Zimmerman, Lee (2012-03-13). "Backstage In South Florida: Native Florida Tap Room & Music Hall Offers South Florida's Coolest New Hangout". Browardpalmbeach.com. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  9. ↑ "ALLIGATOR ALLEY – Restaurant – BBQ – Tap Room – Music Hall – HOME". Alligatoralleynola.com. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  10. ↑ "David Shelley, Fort Lauderdale blues guitarist, dies". Sun Sentinel. 2015-08-10. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  11. ↑ "A Stone's Throw – Albert Castiglia | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 2006-04-11. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  12. ↑ "Living the Dream – Albert Castiglia | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  13. 1 2 "Albert Castiglia". Albertcastiglia.net. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  14. ↑ "Solid Ground – Albert Castiglia | Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  15. ↑ "John Ginty – Bad News Travels – The Showplace Sessions LIVE DVD". Making A Scene!. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  16. ↑ "Albert Castiglia | Credits". AllMusic. 1969-08-12. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  17. ↑ "Bad News Travels [Live] – John Ginty | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  18. ↑ McKay, Robin. "BLUES MUSIC AWARDS". Blues.org. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ Grein, Paul (May 12, 2023). "Tommy Castro Repeats as Entertainer of the Year at 2023 Blues Music Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Albert Castiglia | Album Discography". AllMusic. 1969-08-12. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.