By Joe Hyde
Publisher
May 13, 2007Music preferences may sometimes segregate along racial or cultural lines. The blues are from the black south, country is largely from the white enclaves of Tennessee or Kentucky, and Tejano is south Texas Latino.
In this country, the diverse styles of music influence the other. And the really great musicians and songwriters can fuse together the good sounds from two or more diverse cultures, and gain a mainstream, mass appeal audience. Elvis Presley bridged the predominantly white western swing with the black Mississippi Delta Blues, for example.
Del Castillo, from Austin, Texas, has built several musical pipelines between Latin flamenco, the blues, and rock and roll. The throngs of appreciative fans from every racial and cultural background who came out to see them Saturday evening at the Steel Penny Pub (2412 College Hills Blvd) in San Angelo indicate that Del Castillo may just be the platform that brings Latin music into the mainstream.
Del Castillo is a sextet. Two brothers, Rick and Mark del Castillo are the heart of the show with their technically and musically proficient acoustic guitar duet. Behind them, two percussionists keep the Latin beat alive. Carmelo Torres plays to bongos and Mike Zeoli carefully leads the beat from a single drum set. They combine their efforts into what sounds like a two-man drumline. What makes the beat so good is the pure musicianship of the percussion package. They play soft; they play loud, varying the volume and beats as if they were backing a symphonic orchestra. Rounding out the amazing percussion is Albert Besteiro on the electric bass and the incredible vocals of lead singer Alex Ruiz, backed up vocally by all the musicians in the band.
Rick del Castillo is the older brother of Mark. They grew up in Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Rick began playing the guitar at the age of 15. His best friend from high school is now-bassist Albert Besteiro, who at the time was also an aspiring guitar player. “Rick’s younger brother Mark [who is several years younger] had some big shoes to fill when he too learned to play the guitar, but today they both are so good and on the same level” explained Besteiro. After high school the trio migrated to Austin.
Rick had a day job but taught guitar in a studio after work. Albert worked for Dell Computer. “I was in small business sales. But you know, Rick and I would meet up some nights after he was finished teaching and play music,” Albert explained. “I love music, and started finding gigs all over Austin,” Albert continued. Albert was able to balance his corporate job with his increasingly heavy schedule of gigs playing, primarily for cover bands.
Del Castillo the band is comfortable in its genre-stretching niche. They burn incense on the stage in order to maintain “spirituality.” Albert quoted a sign at The House of Blues that reads, “Unity Through Diversity.” “Everyone on the band comes from varying backgrounds and beliefs,” Albert explained. It is the music, and the diversity of influences that each member brings to the music, that makes the performances click, Albert explained. That’s just Austin, I replied. And Albert flashed the “Hook ‘em Horns” hand signal back with a big smile.
Their latest album, Brotherhood, is their third series of recordings that celebrates the band’s diversity, and there are songs on the album for all corners of the country. Brotherhood features more songs in English than previous albums, some songs are in both English and Spanish, and it even features a duet with Willie Nelson. Lead singer Alex Ruiz explains, “Brotherhood is unity in diversity. Getting along with other people’s beliefs, respecting their ideals, respecting their cultures and where they come from is really accepting one’s self through their eyes.”
In closing, as if to bring the whole idea of diversity full circle in Texas terms, Albert said that College Station, the home of Albert’s alma matter’s rival, Texas A&M University, is his favorite venue to perform. “It’s one of the most fun places we’ve ever played at, and I really enjoy the crowds there” Albert said.
Del Castillo’s high level of musicianship and technical proficiency cannot be given justice in words alone. Attached to this story are videos and links to their albums on iTunes. Listen, watch and marvel at it all. This is great stuff!
Browse and sample all of the Del Castillo albums at iTunes .
Del Castillo's Official Web site: http://www.delcastillomusic.com/
Del Castillo's MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/delcastillo
Del Castillo Videos
Del Castillo performing "Rios Misticos" from the Brotherhood album:
Del Castillo performing "Sueños Madrigales" from the Vida album:
Something that's difficult to pick up through the videos is the genuine affection that the band members have for each other and for their audience. Anyone who has been to a Del Castillo show has felt the flow of love and spirit...these guys are the real deal!
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