Painkiller

• Artist: Tommy Castro
• Rating:
• Release Date: January 30, 2007
• Genre: Blues

Review

Tommy Castro's sixth release for the Blind Pig label, Painkiller, picks up where his 2003 set, Soul Shaker, left off. This time around, producer John Porter -- who has worked with Santana, Taj Mahal, B.B. King, and Buddy Guy -- positions Castro's Delbert McClinton/Southside Johnny vocal grit in front of a punchy horn section and rounds out the date with a few guest artists. Unlike many similar modern blues projects of good intentions but lackluster performances, the combinations on Painkiller never sound forced. In particular, the Albert Collins track, "A Good Fool Is Hard to Find," has Coco Montoya and Castro trading vocal jabs and guitar riffs, and Angela Strehli's passionate vocal on Freddie King's "If You Believe (In What You Do)" is likewise another highlight of this overall triumphant rock 'n' soul album. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Love Don't Care	Tommy Castro, Kevin Bowe	Tommy Castro	(3:47)
I'm Not Broken (Lyrics)	Jimmy Hall, Tommy Castro	Tommy Castro	(3:45)
Painkiller	Tommy Castro, Gary Nicholson	Tommy Castro	(3:49)
Big Sister's Radio	Mike Schermer	Tommy Castro	(4:13)
A Good Fool Is Hard to Find	Albert Collins	Tommy Castro	(4:40)
Err on the Side of Love	Tommy Castro, Jeff Silbar	Tommy Castro	(3:45)
I Roll When I Rock	Bonnie Hayes, Tommy Castro	Tommy Castro	(3:36)
If You Believe (In What You Do)	Freddie King	Tommy Castro	(4:43)
It's That Time Again	Tommy Castro	Tommy Castro	(4:13)
Goin' Down South	Tommy Castro	Tommy Castro	(3:40)
Lonesome and Then Some	Tommy Castro, Jeff Silbar	Tommy Castro	(4:44)
It Ain't Easy Bein' Me	Stephen Bruton, Tommy Castro	Tommy Castro	(3:05)

Credits

Bonnie Hayes (Vocals (Background)), Lenny Castro (Percussion), Tommy Castro (Guitar), Tommy Castro (Vocals), Tommy Castro (Group Member), Keith Crossan (Sax (Baritone)), Keith Crossan (Sax (Tenor)), Keith Crossan (Horn Arrangements), Keith Crossan (Group Member), Bruce Gardner (Design), Teresa James (Piano), Teresa James (Vocals (Background)), Coco Montoya (Guitar), Coco Montoya (Vocals), Tom Poole (Trumpet), Tom Poole (Flugelhorn), Tom Poole (Horn Arrangements), John Porter (Producer), John Porter (Mixing), John Porter (Mixdown Engineer), Chris Sandoval (Drums), Chris Sandoval (Group Member), Steve Savage (Engineer), Angela Strehli (Vocals), Randy McDonald (Bass), Randy McDonald (Group Member), Tony Stead (Piano), Tony Stead (Organ (Hammond)), Tony Stead (Wurlitzer), Steve Spirn (Pre-Production), Eddie Lee Ebony (Photography), Linda Bacon (Cover Art), Justin Vorrelli (Engineer), Justin Vorrelli (Intern), Keith Crossman (Horn Arrangements)