Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mad Dog Lester Davenport: I Smell A Rat

Mad Dog Lester Davenport: I Smell A Rat

By Mike Perciaccante
May 8, 2003
View read count

Eleven years is a long time between recordings. It's an even longer time between debut and sophomore albums. Harpist/vocalist Davenport has finally released his second album, and although it is hard to say that eleven years was worth the wait, this collection is excellent!

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

Tags

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.