Cow Cow Davenport Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 CD

Personnel includes: Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport, Dora Carr, Sam Theard.
Recorded between October 1, 1925 and May 1, 1929.
Personnel: Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport (piano, organ); Country Wranglers (vocals, piano); Dora Carr, Sam Theard (vocals); Tampa Red, Buster Johnson (guitar); B.T. Wingfield (cornet).
Liner Note Author: Mike Rowe.
Recording information: Atlanta, GA (10/01/1925-05/01/1929); Chicago, IL (10/01/1925-05/01/1929); New York, NY (10/01/1925-05/01/1929); Richmond, IN (10/01/1925-05/01/1929).
The complete output of pianist/singer Cow Cow Davenport as a leader has been made available on two CDs by Europe's Document CD; his sideman dates are also available on two other CDs. Because Cow Cow (named after his famous "Cow Cow Blues") is often categorized as a member of the blues world, it is sometimes overlooked how strong a jazz/blues pianist he was. On this first volume, Davenport is heard collaborating with singer Dora Carr, playing duets with cornetist B.T. Wingfield, interacting with singer Sam Theard, and performing heated solos which are sometimes commented upon by his partner Ivy Smith; in addition, there are a few solo instrumentals that really show what Davenport could do. The highlights include "Chimes Blues," "Atlanta Rag," "Back In the Alley" and four versions of "Cow Cow Blues." ~ Scott Yanow