Tommy Castro - Hard Believer - Alligator Records 2009

Hard Believer starts smoothly, easing into the tunes with "Definition of Insanity." Whereas a large portion of albums begin with a fast number to get the listener excited for what lies ahead, Castro and company go in the other direction, providing a Blues Rock tune with a somewhat Latin flavor that tastes just right. The song also serves as a primer for Castro's songwriting on the disc, which may well be at it's highest point ever. Tommy wrote or co-wrote half of the disc's 12 songs (less songwriting credits than, but on the level of, 2007's Painkiller.)

Tommy Castro Band doesn't veer to far from what makes them great. Tommy pours his soul into the vocals and lays down guitar skill that is really rather underappreciated at times. It seems that you never hear Tommy Castro's name tossed around guitar conversations as much as it deserves to be. And then there's the horns! Keith Crossan and Tom Poole take a two man horn section and make it sound like immense (a trait that DOES translate to the live shows.) It reminds me of my beloved Otis Redding collection.

T.C.B. lays down a nice selection of covers on Hard Believer, as well; most notably Wilson Pickett's "Ninety-Nine and One Half" and The Righteous Brothers' "My Babe." Castro's take on Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" is on there, too (a song that appears to be becoming a Blues staple, lately, but well done here.)

Yes, Hard Believer's dripping with Soul at every turn, but showing off it's Blues core, as well, with songs like "Backup Plan" and "Trimmin' Fat," which is a witty, catchy song about everyone's collective hit in the wallet these days. "Make It Back To Memphis," a tune about playing hooky in Tunica, Mississippi, features a great spotlight on Tony Stead's piano work; and "Victims Of the Darkness" (Allen Toussaint) is another of the CD's great covers. The album comes to an end with "The Trouble With Soul," written by fellow West Coast native Jeff Turmes.

It's safe to say that Tommy Castro and his band are holding steady in terms of "bringing it." The T.C.B. is tearing up stages on what seems like an endless schedule, and as they continue to create albums like Hard Believer, there's no indication that their (well deserved) success will dwindle.

Standout Tracks: "Backup Plan," "Trimmin' Fat," "It Is What It Is," and "Hard Believer"

Hear Song Clips and Purchase Tracks From Tommy Castro's Latest Album Hard Believer