The Washboard Chaz Blues Trio delivers the goods again with their sophomore release Dog Days. If you’re not familiar with this local acoustic blues band, you should be. Their bare bones approach (washboard, guitar and harmonica), toe-tapping, beer fueled melodies and plaintive vocals are sure to bring a smile to your weary face.

Recorded late this summer (hence the title), the CD offers a couple of appealing originals (“Real Best Friend” is especially effective) and a gang of tasty covers. Their stripped down interpretations of classic old time blues numbers could only be described as “deceptively simple.” How they managed to bring new life to an old war horse like “Stagolee,” I can’t quite figure out, but that is exactly what they did. Special guests on the new album include OffBeat columnist and guitarist Marc Stone, Andy J. Forrest and St. Louis Slim.

You can usually find these professional buskers at the Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street and that is exactly where you will find them on Saturday, December 4, when they hold the official release party for Dog Days.