Little Village Foundation artist: Harrell Davenport – Young Rell – New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Young Rell, by Harrell Davenport, and it’s hot! Opening with Chicago Style shuffle, Tomorrow, Harrell Davenport on harmonica, guitar and vocal evokes early Muddy Waters with plenty of grit and spunk. With Jim Pugh on piano, Daquantre “Q” Johnson on bass, and June Core on drums this is a super opener. R&B flavored, Spinning, shows Davenports roots with soulful vocals, Pugh on organ, Endre Tarczy on bass, Kid Andersen on rhythm guitar, and Core on drums with Larry Batiste on backing vocals, Aaron Lington on sax and Niel Levonius on trumpet giving an authentic 60’s R&B feel. Very nice. Richland Swing is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Davenport really showcasing his guitar mastery ala Gatemouth Brown style, Pugh really pushing on organ, Lington wailing on bari sax, Levonius on trumpet and with Tarcyz on bass and Core on drums. Smoking!! I Be Tryin’ is a great blues track with soulful vocals by Davenport built over a great guitar vamp by Andersen and solid horn backing by Tarcyz and Levonius. Melodic harmonica lead by Davenport adds yet another dimension to this rich track. I’ll Keep It Hot For You has a bit of a funky, Albert King feel but with fresh all “Davenport” riffs on guitar and strong vocal phrasing by Davenport. Harmonica shuffle, Nite Creepin’ is an absolute gem with Davenport going wall to wall on harmonica punched up by Pugh on piano and anchored by Q on bass and Core on drums. Excellent! Wrapping the release is The World Don’t Deserve Your Smile with soulful vocals by Davenport and some of the best guitar work on the release, super phrasing and glistening chord accent. This is an excellent release for an artist of any age and at the age of 19, a remarkable job. 

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