As a blues fan, it's been a lot of fun watching Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport get to this point. Having watched his performance videos on Facebook, discussing the blues giants of the past with him on Messenger, and watching his talent and career grow via appearances at clubs and various festivals in the U.S. and overseas, it's been  wonderful to see the blues world embrace him.

He shows a remarkably deep knowledge of blues history, considering that he's only 19 years old, and many of the artists and recordings of the past 100 years have played a role in his evolution as a performing artist.

Davenport has released several fine singles over the past year, but now he's ready to make his full-length debut with Young Rell (Little Village Foundation), a most impressive 12-song set that touches on Delta and Chicago blues along with Southern soul. Ten of the tracks are originals with two well-chosen covers.

Matthew Skoller produced the album, which finds Davenport (harmonica/guitar/vocals) joined by Jim Pugh (keys), Endre Tarczy and Daquantae “Q” Johnson (bass), June Core (drums), and Kid Andersen (guitar/rhythm guitar). Larry Batiste (backing vocals/horn arrangements), Aaron Lington (saxes), and Niel Levonius (trumpet) sat in on selected tracks. The album was recorded at Andersen's Greaseland Studios in San Jose, Callifornia.

The opening cut, “Tomorrow,” is an amusing Windy City shuffle that one could easily hear a young Muddy Waters performing, as Davenport deals with an older woman trying to lead him on. The powerful “Fatherless Child” was previously released as a single, with the pain of growing up without a father clearly defined in his lyrics (written when he was 13) and vocals.

The upbeat “Spinning” is a horn-fueled southern soul burner in the tradition of Tyrone Davis. “Giving Me The Blues,” the album's first single, is a strong mid-tempo blues, with Davenport venting his frustration with life's difficulties.

The instrumental “Richland Swing” gives Young Rell ample space to display his fretwork, along with keyboard contributions from Pugh and superb work from the horn section. “Hurt People Hurt People” features Davenport on harp as he reflects on pain he suffered in his life, and the possibility of potential repercussions down the road for those who caused the pain.

The lively “I Be Tryin'” is a foot-stomper that has more tasty harmonica playing from Young Rell, backed by Andersen's guitar. The first cover is Bob Dylan's “Masters of War,” transformed to a Chicago-style shuffle with some refined lyrical additions by Davenport.

The clever “I'll Keep It Hot For You” nimbly mixes blues, funk, and soul, while his cover of Fenton Robinson's “I Hear Some Blues Downstairs” is first rate.

The second instrumental ,“Night Creepin',” is a rollicking number that focuses on Davenport's splendid harmonica playing, backed by Pugh on piano and Andersen on guitar.

The closer, “The World Don't Deserve Your Smile,” has a bit of a westside Magic Sam feel in the guitar work, but leaning toward classic R&B.

Young Rell is an outstanding debut from Harrell Davenport, showing the 19-year-old is well on his way to becoming one of the outstanding young stars on the contemporary blues scene as both a songwriter and performer.

--- Graham Clarke