Albert Castiglia

"Can blue men sing the whites?" That is, of course, a twist on the age-old argument about whether white musicians have suffered enough to sing the blues with any credibility. Modern masters like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Duane Allman certainly suggested they can, but the debate is a worthy one nevertheless. Another individual who affirms that ability is Miami blues boy Albert Castiglia, who apprenticed under such greats as Junior Wells, Pinetop Perkins, and Ronnie Earl. He's emerged as a singular presence on the local scene over the years as well as a standout showman and exceptional guitarist. That's not easy to do in an environment where cover bands remain the norm. His live performances are events in themselves, thanks to Castiglia's penchant for tossing off stirring solos while strolling off the stage and wandering out on the sidewalk, losing sight of his band but never the music at hand. Fortunately, Castiglia has no problem translating his talents to disc, and his third album, These Are the Days, is evidence of that. You can see him get down for free this week, and every third Tuesday of the month, at Fat Cats. So if you're in the mood to hear the blues in the middle of the week, Fat Cats is the place to be.