Single Premiere: Albert Castiglia 'Mama, I Love You'

Albert Castiglia, photo, 'Mama, I Love You'

Photo: Savas Mallotides

Single Premiere: Albert Castiglia ‘Mama, I love You’

Rock & Blues Muse is pleased to premiere Albert Castiglia’s new single “Mama, I Love You” featuring Kevin Burt, and written by Castiglia, Burt and Jerry Jemmott. The song appears on Castiglia’s upcoming album Righteous Souls with special guests Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Danielle Nicole, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Popa Chubby, Ally Venable, Kevin Burt, Monster Mike Welch, Gary Hoey, Rick Estrin, Jimmy Carpenter and Alabama Mike. The album is set for release on July 18th via Gulf Coast Records.

Albert says about his new single, “’Mama, I Love You’ was written a few years back after witnessing a black man getting killed on camera at the hands of a white man for no reason other than fear and hate. It wasn’t the first time I had witnessed such an act but after the last time, I couldn’t hold back the overwhelming feelings of sadness and rage. I pitched the song to my friend Kevin Burt, who is African American, for him to sing on his next album but he felt that the message would be more powerful if I, a white man were to sing it. Him telling me that took me a while to process because I just didn’t feel that way at the time. Later on as the song evolved and developed musically and lyrically, I warmed up to the idea of singing it but I suggested that we do it as a duet. I wrote the song, but Kevin and bass legend Jerry Jemmott added so much to the tune in the studio that I gave them songwriting credit as well. It was an honor and a privilege to create this with them.”

Albert adds, “When I write songs, they’re usually fueled by intense joy, sadness and anger. That’s just how it is with me. The concept of racism is something I will never understand. For someone to hate another based on the color of their skin befuddles me and makes me furious to no end. There’s never been a place for it and I feel it’s hindered this country’s ability to reach its full potential, and I say this as a loyal American. I love this country very much, but there is still much left to be done here in terms of race relations and understanding one another.”

A stormy rock song by Albert Castiglia, “Mama, I Love You” rains down emotion and soulfulness from both Castiglia and Kevin Burt. This track burns a hole in the belief that racism and hatred have dissipated. The rhythm section tight, it holds down a steady beat while Jim Pugh’s beautiful piano rings through, and Castiglia’s passionate guitar solo and Burt’s vamping ride the storm to a torrential end. Castiglia’s The Righteous Band is flush with some of the best players around and their talents gel to make this song as powerful as it is.

“Mama I Love You”

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Having recently won a Blues Music Award for “Best Blues Rock Album”, and as a member of Blood Brothers with Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia rides the wave of his well deserved success with his forthcoming album Righteous Souls. Full of blistering guitar riffs and soulful vocals that send a powerful message on his original songs, Righteous Souls also includes Castiglia’s take on a selection of cover songs from Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton/Rick Danko and two written by his former boss and mentor, the late, great Junior Wells (“Come On In This House” and “What My Mama Told Me.”

The Righteous Band includes Albert Castiglia (vocals, guitar), Jerry Jemmott (bass), Jim Pugh (keyboards), Derrick D’Mar Martin (drums), Kid Andersen (guitar, keys, and bass), and more.Righteous Souls was recorded at Greaseland Studios and produced by Mike Zito and Kid Andersen. This is going to be some record!

“I think Righteous Souls is a big step forward artistically for my friend Albert Castiglia,” says Gulf Coast president Mike Zito. “His singing, the songs, and his guitar playing are highly elevated on this new album. It’s fantastic to watch Albert grow as an artist; he is one of a kind.”