When I have time on any given Sunday, I can always count on Earl’s Hideaway Lounge in Sebastian Inlet, Florida to have great afternoon blues entertainment to cover for All Music Magazine. Earl’s is along side the Indian River with a great breeze and sailboats in the background. It’s what my soul longs for after a busy and congested week. Being Memorial Day weekend, when I arrived a large crowd was expected, but I hadn’t foreseen having to park a block away from the venue. Earl’s is nestled in bamboo foliage that keeps the venue hidden from the busy boulevard of cars speeding by, but it’s no secret by any means.
Sunday, May 30,2021, The Albert Castiglia band was scheduled to perform at 2:00pm. I got in my car headed for the Atlantic coast. After negotiating a place to park, I headed down the block to the declining path through towering bamboo shoots. I immediately realized I was late. Not late for the concert but late to find a place to sit. Occupying the sand in front of the stage and around the tiki bar were lounge chairs making it nearly impossible to navigate though the crowd. Fortunately, the dance area in front of the stage was clear for my passing.
I had covered Albert Castiglia at the end of last year, in Ft. Meyers, Florida on December 6. He and blues renowned guitarist Mike Zito were performing together on Zito’s Florida portion of his US Tour. Castiglia himself had just released his twelfth and latest album “Wild And Free“. It was recorded live at the Funky Biscuit, a small club in Boca Raton and included special guests John Ginty, Lewis Stephens, and Mike Zito.
In May of 2020, Castigilia was awarded a Blues Music Award in the “Blues Rock Album of the Year” category for his previous release Masterpiece. Castigilia was also nominated for Blues Music Awards, Blues Rock Artist of the Year.
Albert Castiglia is always entertaining with his prowess on guitar as well as the shared anecdotes between songs. The crowd was very appreciative and into the show holding on each and every note from start to finish. This day Castigilia played a four hour show with just one break. He came flying out of the box and kept up the pace until around 6:10pm. I’m not sure, and don’t quote me on this, but I’ve been told Albert Castiglia’s t-shirts for sale are softer than Tampa Bay’s blues man, Damon Fowler‘s.
The Albert Castiglia Band
Albert Castiglia – Guitar
Justine Tompkins – Bass
Ephraim Lowell – Drums
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
