Albums
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Desperate Rain - 2013
About this Release
This CD is a tough, gritty and brilliant representation of Daniel Castro's ongoing legacy as one of the finest singer/songwriter/guitarists on the West Coast. Desperate Rain contains thirteen original songs and features the current band lineup of Daniel, bassist Johnny Yu, and drummer David Perper, and the songwriting of Daniel and his partner Julie Friend. Recorded in 2013 at Studio D in Sausalito and produced by Daniel and engineer/owner Joel Jaffe, the actual recording was accomplished in only two days. The full team then spent several days mixing the tracks to give the CD the big sound that represents DCB's brand of blues based music. As Daniel said, "We wanted to give our fans an album that features just the trio -- no layered tracks with guest musicians-- that has the energy and fire that we bring to the stage every night."
Daniel has always surrounded himself with great players in his bands but with Johnny and David, Daniel has an intuitive and explosive rhythm section, able to support Daniel’s music as it deserves. Each cut has its own special treatment. The title track, "Desperate Rain" hits hard out of the shoot and the CD doesn't let up. “Johnny Nitro,” a loving tribute to the late, iconic San Francisco bluesman features clever lyrics and heady guitar work, along with inspired background vocals by Julie Friend over a solid groove by Yu and Perper. On “Dark Train,” a deep rumbling groove sets up a psychedelic and punchy slide solo. “Worried Baby Blues” is an Albert Collins-inspired shuffle that Daniel shines on. And “Shelter Me” has more vital slide work by Daniel, and an irresistible groove. Desperate Rain is a strong CD that represents the DCB at its very best—it doesn’t let up.
Live at The Saloon 2003
About this Release
This recording preserves on CD what audiences have been thrilling to for years. On a sweltering spring night, in one of the funkiest, least pretentious bars in America, the world famous Saloon in North Beach, San Francisco, Daniel Castro and his band –which consisted of drummer T. Moran, bassist Artis Joyce, and keyboardist Michael Emerson, along with a special guest appearance by Daniel’s sister, Jypsy— came together and delivered an evening of unbelievable, electrifying music recorded in two four hour performances in one day, with no set list. Songs like “Blues For Mario” and the intro to “All Along the Watchtower” were written as they were being recorded.
The day left the band and the audience exhausted and in an ocean of sweat. Produced by Daniel Castro and Lee Parvin, “Live At the Saloon” takes no safe roads, never lets up, and captures all of a brilliant night.
No Surrender - 1999
About this Release
Daniel Castro released his debut CD, No Surrender in late 1999. Produced by Daniel and Lee Parvin at Parvin Studios in Pacifica, California, No Surrender features interpretations of well-known blues standards that Daniel put his own twist on, such as a very funky version of Muddy’s “Got My Mojo Working" and a soulful, moving version of Albert Kings “I’ll Play The Blues For You”, in which Daniel plays a mournful, yearning guitar solo, a fitting tribute to one of his guitar heroes.
No Surrender also features six original compositions, highlighting Daniel’s writing talents, including the opening song “On That Telephone” with playful lyrics and a groove you can really sink your teeth into and “Talk about My Baby,” a song that would sound perfect blasting out the radio while speeding across a long hot Texas desert. No Surrender closes with a beautifully haunting acoustic original composition “Dos Palomas,” dedicated to Daniel’s mother. Listen to this song on headphones and at the end of the song, after Daniel hits the last harmonics on his steel resonator, turn up the volume and you can hear a choir of angels singing.
Live at The Saloon - 2003
Desperate Rain - 2013
No Surrender - 1999
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