Making Music

Here are capsule reviews of CDs released by groups that play in the area.

Tommy Castro, “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” (Blind Pig)

Tommy Castro is a solid blues man who seems to have a lot more fun and has a more diverse wardrobe than Fidel, though he probably can’t turn a double play as well as Juan. Rockin’ blues is a good thing.

GRADE: A-

Next gig: Saturday at B.B. King’s in Universal City.

*

Lula, “Live Groove” (Circle Up Records)

Yup, there’s a Lula all right, one Jami Lula, who happens to be the charismatic lead singer for this jam band. Lula has one of those gravelly voices that works so well that the band could make Phish Heads get the whirlies.

GRADE: B

Next gig: Sunday at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach.

*

Red Archibald and the Internationals, “West Coast Soul Stew” (Blue-Tone)

With their savvy, dance-floor friendly concoctions of R&B;, blues and swing, these guys could become gods on the swing circuit. Red himself plays a mean harmonica.

GRADE: B+

Next gig: Wednesday at Cozy’s in Sherman Oaks.

*

Curtis, “Curtis” (If6was9 Records)

Curtis Fornadley is a guitar player’s guitar player. This release has mostly endless instrumentals that range from Muzak to extraterrestrial rock. He’s technically proficient, but not particularly lovable. Curtis is the sort of musician who attracts other musicians, who probably take voluminous notes.

GRADE: B

Next gig: Nov. 6 at Borders in Glendale.

*

Wiskey Biscuit, “Wiskey Biscuit” (Blackdot Records)

This release is actually two vinyl 45s. Remember them? Your parents probably do. They may not want to hear this band, though, considering the group’s poor spelling skills and its propensity for bluesy and boozy R&B; garage rock, not unlike the band members’ pals in Sexy Death Soda, with whom they often play.

GRADE: B.

*

Job Striles, “Sings and Plays” (Train Wrecords)

Striles is a veteran guitar player with a lot of miles under that guitar pick. He’s one of the able sidemen for one of the Valley’s wildest dance bands, Rob Rio & the Revolvers, plus he plays in another band with drummer Max Bangwell. On his solo effort, he offers a couple of covers of classic blues tunes, with the rest being originals. The other players, who include Rio and Bangwell plus a harmonica player with a great name, Primordial Slim, are all seasoned pros. Most of the good tunes are Striles originals, including “I’m Through With Women” and “Kill That Red Rooster.” Not great, but solid.

GRADE: B

*

Ska Daddyz, “Ska Daddyz”

This is the soundtrack for Party Central from Silver Strand, Oxnard’s beach-side surfing community. Six years of experience, and half of the six original members still on board, the Ska Daddyz have had a tumultuous past. Their theme song used to be “She Likes to Party.” One constant throughout the band’s career and especially on this second album is Darren “Zorba” Cruz, who has at least one raging solo in just about every song. Not really a traditional ska band, but with definite ska influences, the Daddyz are getting some airplay with their new and improved version of “Hotel California.”

GRADE: A--