Stray Dawg And The Wolves – Blues On The Inside
Self-Release -2025
9 tracks; 37.17 minutes
Nine original songs here from an Austin-based band: Stray Dawg is on vocals and guitar, José Felix second guitar, Armen Chakmakian keys (replaced on two cuts by Gerry Tschetter), Dan Aubert drums and Eric Przygocki bass; all are experienced musicians, Przygocki’s credits including Anson Funderburgh and Nick Curran. Stray Dawg wrote the material and the rhythm section is credited with the arrangements. The music is generally on the funky side of the blues street and appears to be a debut album release.
Opener “Lonesome Train” is a Texas shuffle that works well, Stray Dawg singing of the traveling life of the musician, always on the road. “Guitar Time” is a funky tune with good interplay between the two guitarists while “Tell Her That You Love Her” reminds us all to make sure to tell our partner how we feel; a sweet guitar intro sets up the song and the keys are featured mid-tune though Stray Dawg’s vocal is unfortunately rather low in the mix. A fast shuffle finds Stray Dawg “Playin’ The Blues Again” and singing about how much he loves “them city nights and my country friends” while “Get In The Mood” slows things down a little, the funky rhythm section and jagged keys underpinning the guitar work. The title track “Blues On The Inside” bounces along on the core guitar riff and certainly gets the toes tapping, especially when Stray Dawg sets off on his solo over the driving rhythm section. The instrumental “San-Mar-Shun” channels those Freddie King tunes from the 60’s, perhaps a tribute, given the similarity of the title to “San-Ho-Zay” and a quote of “Hideaway” towards the end? Intentional or not, it’s a good track, possibly the best of the bunch. Stray Dawg changes things up again with the catchy “Take Me Home” before closing the set with “Cold Rain” in which loneliness and lengthy drives seem to be giving the singer a problem, but hitting the stage to play makes it all go away; the piano plays a strong part in the backing on this one and Stray Dawg leaves us with a fine extended solo on this final track.
There is plenty of solid guitar work here, well framed by the band, but Stray Dawg’s slightly hoarse vocals do get a little lost on some of the tracks.
