There are many shades of blue, but the blues range from deep cerulean to hot crimson. Singer Lara Germony and her bassist husband Gregg lead their Bluz Dawgz from Nashville through a veritable musical rainbow on their sophomore recording Howlin’. Like Devil Moon (2012) released to glowing reviews, Howlin’ runs the gamut from jazzy cool to outright rocking. Twelve original romantic tales feature the estimable talents of Al Rowe (guitars), Dan Nadasdi (keyboards), Ray Gonzales (drums) and Reggie Murray (tenor saxophone) in a seamless ensemble.
“Uh Huh” boogies as Lara’s velvety chops express regret and Murray and Rowe console instrumentally. The guitarist and saxist duel on the funky “Flat Line.” The dark minor ballad “I Wonder” has Lara summoning pathos. Lara channels rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson on the rousing “Wearin’ Me Out,” as Rowe, Murray and Nadasdi burn. She has an itch on the slinky “T-Dawg Lovin’”, lustily singing then she’s tough on the surging R&B of “Don’t Mess with My Baby.”
Silky jazz-blues on “Love Me Tonight” frames Lara caressing vocals, the band chilling with finesse. In “I’m Over It,” Lara’s sassy lyrics contrasts with the sprightly shuffle beat. The soul ballad “Say Goodbye” is perfect for, “I know that we both gave it our very best try,” as Rowe and Murray shed musical tears.
The swinging “Love of Mine” is a sweetly sung love letter. The minor key “Shadow Groovin’” about an illicit affair gets a noirish cast from Murray while Lara implores. The title track closes with an N’Awlins flavor as Lara invites “Friday night, the moon is out, kind’a night makes you want to shout. Stars are shinin’, time is right, come out and howl with me tonight.”
Lara and Gregg Germony and their scrappy Bluz Dawgs effortlessly convey the many hues of the blues. Their music takes the listener for a smooth ride from heartbreak to ecstasy with nary a bump in the road.
