Albert Castiglia, two-time winner of the Blues Music Awards for both Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year, returned to Denver last night for the first time in just over a year and a half. His show at the Oriental Theater in July of 2022 was legendary. Last night’s show, also at the Oriental, took “legendary” to a new level.
For Albert, that’s not surprising. It’s more or less the way his entire career has gone. He’s released thirteen solo albums since his debut in 2002. Each new release one-upped the previous one, as Castiglia grew as an artist and a performer. His 2019 release Masterpiece brought him his first Album of the Year award. He followed that up, in 2022, with I Got Love, which brought him a second Album of the Year award.
More recently, his Blood Brothers collaboration with longtime friend Mike Zito has absolutely blown up. In 2023 they released both their debut studio album and a live album, while touring extensively.
2024 sees the friends taking a break from Blood Brothers to focus on their respective solo careers, which, of course, includes the current tour that brought Albert back to Denver. Last night’s Oriental show was the third in as many nights in Colorado – he played Colorado Springs this past Friday and Buena Vista on Saturday.
(Fear not, Blood Brothers fans. Albert and Mike are planning to do a few Blood Bothers shows in 2024, including the recently announced headliner gig at this year’s Greeley Blues Jam, on Saturday, June 1.)
In reviews I’ve written after covering previous Castiglia gigs, I’ve noted that he’s one of my favorite artists to cover because (a) the music is exceptional and (b) his stage presence is off the chain. Last night was no exception. His 11-song set, which clocked in at an hour and a half, included his customary combination of originals plus selected covers. Castiglia is one of those artists who goes out of his way to pay homage to the music and artists that/who inspired him, by including multiple covers in his live sets. Everyone does some of this. Castiglia does a lot of this. And he does it extraordinarily well.
Castiglia and his slightly revamped band took the stage a few minutes after 9:00 pm. Supporting him was longtime drummer Ephraim Lowell, and newcomer Cliff Moore (formerly from guitarist Nick Schnebelen’s band) on bass.
The set opened with a Castiglia classic, the curiously themed “Big Toe,” from his 2006 album A Stone’s Throw, followed by the rousing “Let The Big Dog Eat” from the 2016 album Big Dog. Then it was on to three consecutive songs from the I Got Love album… “I Got Love,” “Take My Name Out Of Your Mouth,” and one of my personal favorites, “Depression Blues.”
Newish led into newer (as in, yet to come) with the Junior Wells cover “What My Mama Told Me,” which will appear on Castiglia’s forthcoming new album, scheduled for release this summer. For those who might not know, Wells is credited with giving Castiglia his big break into the music industry when he added Albert to his touring band in 1996. Fittingly, Castiglia continues to pay homage to Wells through covers appearing both on studio albums and in live performances.
The night’s first cover led into two more Castiglia originals, “Masterpiece,” from his 2019 award winning album by the same name, followed by “Put Some Stank On It”, from 2014’s Solid Ground. In bridging between those two songs, Castiglia noted that “Masterpiece” was one of the first songs he ever wrote that had true depth of meaning, while “Put Some Stank On It” clearly showed that earlier in his career he “didn’t have that much to say.”
One of the things that makes an Albert Castiglia show so entertaining is that it’s not just about the music. Make no mistake… the music is the centerpiece and is phenomenal. But Castiglia mixes humor and stories between pretty much every song in the set. Some of the stories drip with his sarcastic wit. Others, particularly those related to his family, are heartfelt and earnest. Castiglia connects with his audiences in an extraordinary way… something he credits Junior Wells with instilling in him.
Case in point, upon wrapping up “Put Some Stank On It,” Castiglia noticed a young girl in the audience… right up in the front row, dancing her heart out. Chatting with her, Castiglia found out she was seven years old, and was there with her parents, celebrating her mom’s birthday. This prompted a decision to go off script, to play something special for the girl and her mom. The resulting, scorching instrumental cover of the Etta James’ classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” absolutely brought the house down. In a night filled with highlights, this very well might have been the highest.
Two more covers finished the set – Buddy Guy’s “The Dollar Done Fell” and the traditional Castiglia live set closer, Freddie King’s “Freddie’s Boogie.” “The Dollar Done Fell” is another song that will appear on Castiglia’s new album, and this live version featured extended bass and drum solos by Moore and Lowell. “Freddie’s Boogie” is an extended jam that gave Castiglia one final opportunity to show off his amazing guitar chops. Towards the end of the song, he played his guitar for an extended stretch left-handed only, while holding up and drinking from a can of water in his right hand. (See photo in the gallery below.)
Castiglia is an outstanding guitarist and vocalist. Perhaps that could be enough to deliver a strong live performance. But when you add in that he’s an exceptional storyteller, showman and entertainer, it makes for the kind of night everyone in attendance will remember for a long, long time to come. That’s what happened last night at the Oriental. For many in attendance, it was their first live show of the new year. The bar’s been raised, the gauntlet thrown down. Those who follow have their work cut out for them.
Story and photos by Rick Witt www.rickwittphotography.com
