Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mad Dog Lester Davenport: I Smell A Rat
Mad Dog Lester Davenport: I Smell A Rat
Though not as cohesive as his 1991 debut, When the Blues Hit You, Davenport has delivered a winner with I Smell A Rat. The obvious questions: Why hasn't he recorded more often? And how come it took eleven years to release new material? We may never know the answers, but we certainly know that it is a shame because Davenport is a true gem — an under- utilized, under-recorded gem.
Davenport, who is mainly known for playing as a sideman to Bo Diddley and Big Daddy Kinsey, can stand up to any 1960's Chicago Blues Man. Helped by guitarist and producer Jimmy Dawkins; Detroit Junior on piano; Allen Batts, also on piano; Jimi Schutte on drums and Bob Stroger on bass, Davenport has crafted an album that could easily be confused with some of the later, rock- influenced Chess recordings. Highlights include: "My Mama Rocks Me," "So Wurrid," the instrumental "To Our Lost Ones 9/11/01," the album opener "Bad Treatment" and "Knocked on Every Door."
Track Listing
1. Bad Treatment - 4:08 2. Knocked on Every Door - 5:23 3. You So Sexy - 5:22 4. West Side Blues Harp- 3:35 5. Miss Sallie Mae - 5:43 6. My Mama Rocks Me - 5:55 7. In My Bedroom - 4:09 8. So Long - 7:06 9. I Smell a Rat - 4:55 10. So Wurrid - 5:57 11. To Our Lost Ones 9/11/01 - 4:12 12. Stop Beggin' Me - 4:24 13. Goin' Away - 3:23
Personnel
Mad Dog Lester Davenport - Harmonica, vocals; Jimmy Dawkins - Guitar; Allen Batts - Piano; Detroit Junior - Piano; Jimi Schutte - Drums; Bob Stroger - Bass; Sho Komiya - Bass; Billy Flynn - Guitar
Album information
Title: I Smell A Rat | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Delmark Records
About Mad Dog Lester Davenport
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
