Albert Castiglia's new release Big Dog is eleven songs of back to bluesy tune about homelessness, the lyrics are touching. Sand- back solid blues perfection to me. I had the distinct pleasure of wiched in between the two are nine more gems, a little bit of seeing Albert only once but much like this CD, it left a lasting something for everyone. If you're not already a fan of Albert impression on me. This CD shows off Albert's badassery (his Castiglia this CD just might make you one! This is an absolute word not mine LOL) Not only is he an uber talented songwriter MUST HAVE CD for all blues lovers! And if you see Albert coming and lyricist but he also knows how to surround himself with anywhere near your home, treat yourself to an evening of some some of the best musicians in the industry. On Big Dog he is of the best blues music out there. accompanied by Mike Zito on electric and acoustic guitars, vocal and percussion, (he also produces the CD). Scot Sutherland on 1. Has this project changed you or the way you work? bass, Rob Lee on drums, Lewis Stephens on piano, Wurlitzer and organ and finally Johnny Sansone It's changed me in a lot of ways. I think the experience of record- on harp on two tracks. The CD starts ing at Dockside Studio out with Let The Big Dog Eat, a rockin' in Louisiana gave me a blues song with blazing guitar work by both Albert and Mike. It boost of confidence that I needed at the time. My old boss, Jun- ends up with one of my favorite tracks, Somehow, a slow, ior Wells, recorded three CDs at Dockside. He was my guru and 68 Volume 5, Issue 1 www.Blues-E-News.com the greatest blues man I've ever known. homeless, the poor and how we as a soci- Ruf Records sending me to Dockside 20 ety treat them. He painted an incredible I saw George Thorogood & The Destroyers years after Junior's last recording there picture with his words and I provided a for the first time. They were a hoot. Great gave me a sense of affirmation that Hey! frame with the music. It was one of the fun! Great band! I also saw Bruce Spring- Maybe I don't suck too bad. LOL A lot of most enjoyable collaborations I've ever steen on his River tour. He never disap- musicians go through battles with self been a part of. To have been able to write points. He and the E Street Band did 3 1/2 esteem. I certainly do from time to time. a song with a musician of his magnitude hours straight. On top of that, he had a Speaking of time, the timing of the re- was definitely one of those confidence cold but sounded great anyway. He was cording couldn't have happened any building moments. blowing snot rockets during "Rosalita". It better. I had just put a whole new band was freaking awesome! He never sounded together and I was going through some 5. What was your most memorable gig better. The very last show I went to was anxiety with that. The recording Samantha Fish at The Funky Biscuit in session was a welcome distraction Boca Raton, Florida. She's terrific. She from the stress of getting the new gets better every time I see her. She band together. The band's great and and why? brought me up to jam with her that night. they've taken to the new material like It was a lot of fun. I always have a great ducks to water. Also, Mike Zito There have been so many. My first gig time when we're onstage together. (producer) pushed me vocally and guitar with Junior Wells was a biggie. It was in wise to places I never thought possible. Buffalo at The Calumet City Cafe, Febru- 8. What is your songwriting process? I'm definitely a better musician and per- ary 1997. There was the Jazz a Juan Festi- son since the session. The whole experi- val in the South Of France when I was The process is very unpredictable ence was spiritual. with Junior (Summer of ‘97). We opened for me. Sometimes the words come for BB King that night. With my band 2. What's your favorite axe to play? there was the performance at the Blues first, sometimes the music comes Music Awards in 2009 and the Blues first. I might put some lyrics or mu- I was a Fender guy for Cruise in October 2013. The 2014 Blues sic on the shelf for a while, then re- Caravan tour was a biggie. Also, the 2014 visit it later and find something that Europe tour with my band was a high- years since I was a kid. works for it. light. Ooh, Katowice, Poland with Sandra But these days, I use Gib- Hall in 2000. There was about 5000 peo- 9. What artists or bands get your heart a ple in this arena. Backing up Hubert Sum- son Les Pauls and flutterin'? lin the night before his birthday in 2008 in Delaney Jagatas. They Fellsmere, Florida. There will continue to be more great memories as long as I keep I love Samantha Fish and Mike Zito & have tone for days! doing this for a living. I'll just stop with The Wheel. Danielle Schnebelen is my these. favorite singer in the world. I melt when 3. Do you have a special name for the she sings. I also listen to her brother Nick instrument you play? 6. Why do you play/sing? Artists are in- Schnebelen. Eric Gales is a friggin monster! spired by many things, what inspires you? Dave Gross is an amazing musician and I got a Les Paul Goldtop called Duane, a producer. All this bullshit about the blues black Stratocaster named Missy, a cherry Because I can't live without it. It's a huge being dead really frosts my ass. There are sunburst LP called Virginia and a wine part of who I am. Taking music away from so many great blues artists, young and old, colored LP called the Fat Bastard (Fat me is like ripping my heart out. Music doing it and doing it well. There's a Bastard is the name of a cabernet wine saved me from a potential life of bore- that my wife and I used to drink. dom and strife. Music is the biggest rea- band called Jane Lee Hooker son I have the great life that I have. My outta NYC. Man!!!A wonderful hy- 4. How did you feel after writing the track great friends, my wonderful wife; I would brid of punk rock and blues. On the country "Somehow"? not have had them if I didn't have the side, I love Chris Stapleton. He's country music. This incredible journey that I've music's savior. I've been revisiting Luther I felt particularly good about been on since I was eighteen would not "Snake Boy" Johnson these days. He was "Somehow," which I wrote have been possible without music. What the bomb! There's so much great, real stuff inspires me? Life inspires me and that out there. People just need to open their with Cyril Neville. enables me to write. I can only write minds, dig deep and avoid radio stations Cyril is New Orleans music royalty and about things that happen in my life or that play artificial, cookie cutter, soulless one of the greatest voices in American things that I can relate to. If it's not real shit. Look for stations that have Blues and music. He's also an amazing songwriter to me, it's going to be fake to the ears of Roots shows. There's great stuff out there. and lyricist. His lyrics are something else. the listener. That's just my opinion. You just have to look hard for it. It's worth When he sent me the lyrics to the song, I the search. knew right away the kind of music need- 7. Tell us the last few shows you went to ed to go with them. It's a song about the see. www.Blues-E-News.com Your Partner In Blues Volume 5, Issue 1 69 10. What is your "why". pulsating effect you create Why do you do what on the guitar with your you do? fingering hand. After re- ceiving that advice, I spent When I was a kid, I a lot of time developing it. wanted to play first base for the New York went out to pursue the mu- Junior Wells' road manager, the late Yankees. The problem was I couldn't hit the Michael Blakemore, told me that my curve ball or field worth a damn. When the sic full time. vibrato was the primary reason Junior guitar entered my life, I felt I might become wanted me to play in the band. Worst pretty good at it. It's the only thing I'm good 13. What would you be doing if you advice? I really can't think of any bad at. On top of that, I love it. If you're good at weren't playing music for a living? advice that detrimentally affected my something and it brings you joy, never let it life or career. I've made mis- go. I was a welfare worker right out of col- I'd probably be chained to a desk in a lege.