Spectacular Show
by Paulie Hot TubMcCauley on 11/19/25Mercury Lounge - New YorkRating: 5 out of 5The Castellows blew the roof off the Mercury Lounge -- Ellie, Lily, and Powell wowing their adoring fans with beautiful blood harmonies and breathtaking, angelic radiance. This despite being two-thirds compromised -- Lily nursing a bad cold, and Ellie a broken heart. Only Powell -- banjo-picking blond bombshell personified, was 100%, but the gals were jaw-dropping spectacular nonetheless. Especially touching were Lily's intro to "Old Way"("God is good . . . he has us all here for a reason"), and Ellie's sharing the story of her recent break-up ("the first time in my life I ever had my heart broken"), and then singing the song she wrote about it. Their set featured already classic originals -- leading off with their signature, dirt-road anthem "No. 7 Road,"then launching into "Cowboy Kind of Love"("I don't need red roses, it's wildflowers I'm dreaming of"), and later "Sober Sundays,""Sheltered,"and "Freeway"(as an old-time UGA grad, I love the reference to the 40 Watt Club in Athens), among others. They also dazzled with samples from their recent foray into balladeering -- with sad but beautifully poetic songs such as "Alabama Stone,""Old Way,"and "Broke"("sometimes you've gotta dance with the devil to put shoes on baby's feet"). They finished with "Hurricane,"all in all a wonderful show, only wish they could have played longer. The boys in the band, especially Justin on fiddle, were also excellent. Hope Lily is able to rest her voice, and the Bulldogs' glorious victory over Texas helped boost Ellie's spirits. Can't wait to see them next year.
