Vacaville Represents at Sac IBC
Mick Martin’s Birthday Party
Northern California Blues Festival
Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival - 8/23/08
B.B. is still the King of the Blues
Daniel Castro does Norcal
Daniel Castro does NorCal
As an avid blues fan and a guy always on the look out for a good show I have found that northern California has an abundance of great bands to fill the bill. Now, I am not one to profess having a favorite but I certainly don't mind recommending what I feel is one of the best acts around and that is the Daniel Castro band. I have been following Daniel and his band around for the last few of months and have found every performance to be fun, exciting and well worth the drive to wherever he's playing. I've seen him lately at the Torch Club in Sacramento, a couple times at Constable Jack's in Newcastle and at Lou's Blues in San Francisco.
If, like me, you enjoy exciting blues bands and hot guitar slingers then you won't want to miss Daniel Castro. Daniel is an incredible talent on the axe and puts his all into everything he plays. He is the kind of musician that takes charge from the first song of the first set and never lets up, rolling through one cut after the other in spellbinding fashion. Daniel keeps it alive at all times, interacting with his band and the audience. He plays hot original tunes mixed with some of the best traditional blues ever written. Many people have covered Albert King's, "I'll Play the Blues for You', and Daniel's version is absolutely the best you will ever hear. His guitar work is so smooth it puts you in a trance. His blues version of 'Walking the Dog' by Rufus Thomas is classic stuff also, making you wonder why you haven't heard it like this before. At every performance he plays most of the great stuff you expect but has also throws in different cuts to make each show unique. A couple weeks ago Daniel had driven up to Santa Rosa to see Sonny Landreth play and the next night he was playing 'Congo Square' at Lou's like there was no tomorrow. Then he throws in Little Milton's, 'That's What Love Will Make You Do' and I was again blown away by his raw blues talent. I love it when Daniel throws in songs I've never heard him play, and of course I keep showing up to hear what he may throw in next.
As a guitar player myself, I'm always interested in artist's axe choices. On show nights, Daniel, like many blues greats, is usually playing a telecaster. When I talked to Daniel about his guitars he said it was simple, he just likes how tele's feel and sound. His favorite guitar is his trusty telecaster body with a Delaney neck that was custom made for him.
The band members are all fabulous talents also. Long time bassist Glade Rasmussin is an accomplished musician and you get to hear what a difference a good bass man can make. I've seen too many bands where the bass dude was just there to provide a little beat. Not the case with Glade who gets to showcase his own talent. Drummer T. Moran has also been around for the long haul with Daniel and their musical connection is obvious as he supports the cause as well as having opportunities to throw out a hot solo set. T was off touring in the Netherlands lately and backup drummer Andy Doerschuk stepped in and never missed a beat, in fact he is a very talented drummer himself. My pal on keyboards is Bill Hancock, an amazing guy that pours his all into his playing. Sometimes I think the ivories are going to catch on fire as Bill runs up and down the boards. Besides being a great talent and a nice fit for the band, Bill has his own stage presence and you can tell he having fun on the ride.
So if you want to have a real good time and see some solid blues done the right way, check northern California club listings and get your butt to a Daniel Castro show. You won't regret it, guaranteed!
"Keep your eyes and ears open, the Blues are alive in northern California!"
Mr. December at Constable Jack's - 5/9/08
Cole Fonseca at the Torch Club - 3/28/08
Blues Blowout at Cache Creek - 2/1/08
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