Review: Blood Brothers (Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia) ‘Live In Canada’
By Martine Ehrenclou
Two of the hottest contemporary bluesmen join forces for their newest release Blood Brothers Live In Canada. Multi Award-winners St Louis-born Mike Zito and FL native Albert Castiglia burn down the house on these ten tracks, recorded earlier this year at one of their liveliest shows at Blue Frog Studios in White Rock British Columbia.
I took in their Blood Brothers show a few months ago and was genuinely surprised by their killer performances, by how good Zito and Albert Castiglia were together as a unit. They brought out the best in each other, their disparate guitar and vocal styles complimenting each other. Both consummate blues-rock guitarists, singers and songwriters, their kindship fans out to their playing and singing. And that my friends, makes for outstanding music. You see that when they perform live. You’ll hear that on Blood Brothers Live In Canada.
With critically acclaimed albums and highly respected careers behind them, Blood Brothers Live In Canada is out via Gulf Coast Records. Label owner Zito produced the album with Kid Andersen mastering.
Zito won the 2022 Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Album and Castiglia won the BMA for Blues Rock Artist in 2023. That should tell you enough right there. But there’s more. From 2010-2014, Zito was a co-founder of supergroup Royal Southern Brotherhood which jumpstarted his solo career that produced a number of award-winning blues albums and a tribute album to rock n’ roll legend Chuck Berry that featured noted guitarists including Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales and more.
Miami based Albert Castiglia joined Junior Wells touring band and became his lead guitarist until Wells’ death in 1995. After backing Sandra Hall, Castiglia toured with ZZ Top and Elvin Bishop. His solo career took off and he won two Blues Music Awards—one for his album I Got Love and for Blues Rock Artist of the Year.
Blood Brothers Live In Canada captures the fire and energy of this duo on stage who are at their best. They chose 10 songs from their debut Blood Brothers CD, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith.
“Hey Sweet Mama” by Zito, kicks off the blistering set, a Chuck Berry-esque tune that reveals their dynamic connection on stage, complete with harmonies and twin guitars. They’re having a great time and so will you. They’re backed by a top tier set of musicians including Doug Byrkit – bass guitar; Matt Johnson – drums/percussion; Ephraim Lowell – drums/percussion; and Lewis Stephens – piano/organ.
On the rock side of blues “Tooth and Nail” by Tinsley Ellis features Albert on lead vocals—expressive and distinct. Both hit it hard with twin guitars and a tight rhythm section. Zito slams a slide guitar solo followed by Castiglia’s muscular guitar chops. There’s enough energy in the air this night to blow through your speakers and make you feel like you were there.
Downshifting from the raucous mood to a soulful, pensive one, Zito’s “In My Soul” and Castiglia’s “A Thousand Heartaches”, both emanate heartbreak but in each own’s signature style and sound. Both are rock ballads revealing compelling songwriting and emotional depth. Zito sadly lost his wife Laura to cancer this year and he digs deep on his tune.
“In My Soul”
I wouldn’t say Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are better together than alone, but they do make a riveting blues rock duo that play to each other’s strengths.
A fan favorite “Gone to Texas” by Zito is a welcomed reprieve from the high-energy guitar riffing, in case you needed to take a breath from the breakneck speed of the previous tracks. A rocking traveling song about renewal and beginning again, it’s a beautiful ode to Texas with a melancholy vibe. You could almost hear this as an Allman Brothers tune but with Zito’s soulful vocal that’s just as suited to Southern Rock as it is to Blues. “My eyes have seen the glory one step at a time. I find hope in redemption…” he sings. And you believe him.
Blood Brothers Live In Canada closes with the crowd pleaser “Rockin’ In The Free World” (Neil Young, Franks Sampedro) a scorching cover with Zito and Castiglia trading vocals on verses. Some nice harmonies appear on the chorus, and tasty guitar riffs. A little shredding is woven into this popular song, along with harmonics. Both Zito and Castiglia are passionate singers on this rocking tune. You can just see them doing this live as the crowd goes wild.
Order Blood Brothers Live In Canada HERE
Great review Martine