| | Tommy Castro Soul Shaker CD Tommy Castro Discography of CDs
 (7 Customer Reviews)
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San Francisco's Tommy Castro doesn't play blues so much as a brand of hard, soulful rock with a blues inflection, not unlike the J. Geils Band in the early 1980s, say, or Bob Seger (Castro's voice bears a strong resemblance to Seger's), all with a little bit of the old Stax groove tossed in for good measure. Soul Shaker reunites him with his old label, Blind Pig, and while there is nothing startling or innovative here, Castro and his band churn out a kind of meat-and-potatoes rock that is increasingly becoming an endangered species, probably not seen in these parts since Seger decided to stop making albums. While Castro is perfectly capable taking a Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar turn on the Strat, it is his vocals that give his material its real punch, and here he turns in some very credible singing performances on the Memphis-style ballad "Anytime Soon," "The Holdin' On" (which Wilson Pickett should cover immediately), the funky "Big Love," and the title track, "Soul Shaker," which features a guest spot by slide guitar ace Roy Rogers. One of the most striking tracks is "Let's Give Love a Try," which rocks wonderfully in a no-frills, bar band groove, and it really does sound like a great, lost Bob Seger single. Another highlight is the flute-led and jazzy "The Crossanova," which shows that Castro and his band have more than a couple cards up their sleeves. In the end, Soul Shaker is a solid party album, one that breaks no new ground, but sometimes that's just fine. ~ Steve Leggett
Personnel: Tommy Castro (vocals, guitar); Steve Spirn (guitar); Kevin Bowe (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, organ, programming, background vocals); Keith Crossan (flute, saxophone); Jim Pugh (piano); Chris Sandoval (drums, percussion); Armando Morales (congas); Bryan Hanna (percussion, drum programming); New Directions, Randy McDonald, Reneé Austin (background vocals).
Recording information: The Terrarium Studios, Minneapolis, MN (2004).
Dirty Linen (p.89) - "Castro's personality, energy, and heart come through so clearly on every track that it's impossible to imagine this music sounding any other way. It' complete in itself, with a spirit and vitality all its own."
Living Blues (p.40) - "The guitar power chords and buzz-toned tenor sax that kick off Tommy Castro's latest release give the initial impression of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band..." Soul Shaker Music | List Price | $16.97 (You save $2.32) | | Category | Rock/Pop Albums, Rock CDs, Blues, Contemporary Blues | | Label | Blind Pig | | Orig Year | 2005 | | All Time Sales Rank |  22732  | | CD Universe Part number | 6816768 | | Catalog number | 5094 | | Discs | 1 | | Release Date | Feb 01, 2005 | | Studio/Live | Studio | | Mono/Stereo | Stereo | | Producer | Gordon Brislawn; Steve Spirn; Kevin Bowe; Tommy Castro | | Engineer | Steve Spirn | | Personnel | Jim Pugh - piano
Tommy Castro - vocals, guitar
Keith Crossan - flute, saxophone
Kevin Bowe - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, organ, programming, background vocals
Bryan Hanna - percussion, drum programming
Randy McDonald
Chris Sandoval - drums, percussion
Armando Morales - congas
New Directions
ReneT Austin - background vocals
Steve Spirn - guitar
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Tommy Castro Soul Shaker Songs Soul Shaker Music Review Average Rating: (3.6 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews not up to par
I have all of Tommy Castros offerings and this is the worst by far. He may be branching out a bit and exploring more complex R&B arrangements but he does so at the risk of losing his core following. I have seen him live and this effort does not do him justice. By the way if you liked the "old" Tommy Castro try Coco Montoya.
Submitted by Rick (Adams, Massachusettes) 
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 Not Impressed with this release at all
WOW Most of Tommy Castro's CDs are AWESOME..The last 2 releases have had a different style then the past favorites.This is not a terrible CD but not in the Tommy Castro class I fell in love with.This isnt a CD Id turn someone on to for new band.Its not one Id give as a gift.Get them the
"Tommy Castro CD****,
Essential CD*****,
Graditude CD****,Just not this one.. Sorry but it lost the feeling in this one.
Submitted by FixUmm (GlenBurnie Maryland)
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 actually is is classic tommy
I was bouncing around and found these cuts,,, go check out tommy's roots way back to Cowboy.. it is great when ya can say what goes around ,,comes around,,,I dont know about you but it sound so familier
Marty Maschino
Palm Bay Florida
Submitted by marty (Palm BaY Florida)
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 Tasty!! ...but not quite a Gran Cru....
Good. Better than good-- make it 4+ stars. A couple of cuts here are future classics, lead by "No one Left to Lie to", with that pull to the heart that good blues always has, well-arranged horns and a clean finish.
One mediocre cut, and a few less-than-typically imaginative solos keep this one from five-star category.
"The Holdin' On" is a great perspective piece, looking rather cleverly at relationships, ("It's not the lettin' go that hurts so bad...it's the holdin' on."), but I don't know that it would succeed commercially. Too bad, it's a sweet piece!
Castro brings in a few clear essences of other, historic artists. (Listen to "Anytime Soon" and savor the Bob Seger aftertaste.)
Tommy got himself a new fan with this one!
Submitted by Chad (California Central Valley)
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 Always great music
Tommy Castro has soul,r&b,and funk all rolled in one.
I have all of his cd's, even meet him a few times.If you think his cd's are good,catch him live.His band is tight,and right on the money.
Submitted by Fender74 (Nutley,N.J.)
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About the Composer Della Heide, mystic, nutritionist, and spiritual teacher, made her transition in April, 2006. Music was always a part of her life. When she was just a child, she longed to play the piano. But providing music lessons was not possible for her large farm family of eleven brothers and sisters. In church one day, Della heard the minister say, 'If you truly desire for an outcome, pray without ceasing." Della stayed up all night and prayed to learn how to play the piano. In the morning she found that her wish had been granted! She was able to sit down at the keyboard and play beautifully! ...
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