PAINKILLER - TOMMY CASTRO
San Francisco’s Tommy Castro is known as a major blues player. But there’s always been a good deal of soul and rock in his blues, and some of the top tunes on “Painkiller” show those influences in the best possible light. “It’s That Time Again” is a beautiful bit of soul music — a tasty number keyed by Keith Crossan (sax) and Tom Poole (trumpet). “Big Sister’s Radio” is a choice take on classic doo-wop rock ‘n’ roll. Blueswise, Castro and guest Coco Montoya make a feast of Albert Collins’ “A Good Fool Is Hard to Find,” and Castro hits the sweet spot with the opening track, the original blues-rocker “Love Don’t Care.” In a more downtempo groove, check “Lonesome and Then Some” — a winning tune Castro authored with Jeff Silbar. Billboard
