Review: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers ‘Closer To the Bone’
By Martine Ehrenclou
Tommy Castro’s music is blues for the soul. ‘Closer to the Bone’, is as raw and unfiltered as he’s ever been and this return to his roots suits him well. Dropping February 7th via Alligator Records, the album strips away excess, dialing straight into Castro’s blistering guitar work, expressive vocals and airtight songwriting. It’s a back-to-basics blues record—one that feels both fresh and steeped in tradition. The 14 tracks carry the Tommy Castro stamp, and if you’ve been around for a while, you’re familiar with his brand of blues and Soul magic.
A multiple award-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Castro knows how to surround himself with the best, and ‘Closer to the Bone’ is no exception. Backed by his road-tested band, The Painkillers—Mike Emerson (keys), Randy McDonald (bass/vocals), and Bowen Brown (drums)—Castro also brings in heavy hitters like Christopher “Kid” Andersen, Rick Estrin, Chris Cain, and Billy Branch. Saxophonist/vocalist Deanna Bogart and keyboard ace Jim Pugh round out a lineup that’s nothing short of elite.
Even though he’s known as a brilliant guitar player, Castro’s chops sometimes get overshadowed. Not here. ‘Closer to the Bone’ showcases his fretboard finesse as a feel player and you’ll hear influences that hint of Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Freddie King, B.B. King and others.
Part of Castro’s appeal is his personality–it comes through in the songs. He feels real. Perhaps that’s part of what contributed to Castro winning the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award three times, in addition to three Band of the Year Awards, and Album of the Year for his last release ‘A Bluesman Came To Town.’
The opening original track, “Can’t Catch A Break,” kicks off with a punch of horns, swelling organ, and Castro laying it all out, singing, “Bad luck and trouble, story of my life.” His guitar tone is crisp, his phrasing effortless with space between the notes. It’s a proper throwback with a modern bite.
It’s a brave move, even for Tommy Castro, to deviate slightly from what fans have grown to expect from him over the last few decades, but it works. With carefully chosen covers and a few originals, ‘Closer to the Bone’ is fun, and it brims with soul-shaking toe-tappers and bluesy scorchers. His albums are synonymous with groove and top tier musicianship. There’s plenty of that here.
“This is me at my most authentic,” says Castro. “This is a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.” Most of the songs were recorded live off the floor, capturing Castro and his band’s spontaneous performances.
Each song is well thought out. Whether created by producer Christopher “Kid” Andersen or by Castro himself, the guitar on each track has effects, style, and tones that match the period of the song. “The Way You Do” is a classic blues with Rick Estrin’s moody harp. Castro’s guitar riffs are striking, enhanced with vintage delay effects.
From the sultry Johnny “Nitro” Newton’s “One More Night” to the slow blues Castro original “Crazy Woman,” the lyrics can be somewhat repetitive as they were back in the day. But there’s lines like “I just can’t have no woman unless she’s as dangerous as a runaway train” to balance it all out. With pianists like Andersen and Jim Pugh along with Castro and the other notable musicians, the album showcases a kick ass band.
Another talented musician and Castro’s fiancé, is Deanna Bogart on sax. “She Moves Me” is all about great rhythm, and Bogart slides in gracefully with a smooth sax solo to ease your Friday afternoon after a hectic work week.
‘Closer to the Bone’ by Tommy Castro & The Painkillers fires on all cylinders–-traditional blues with the Tommy Castro flair.
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