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Willie Kent – Ain’t It Nice
Delmark DD 653 (1991)
Compact Disc

with “Mad Dog” Lester Davenport

Library of Congress Award: Best Folk/Blues Album of 1991

Willie Kent, Chicago blues vocalist and bass-playing bandleader, is a man who’s passionate about his music. He has worn down his ’58 Fender bass through three coats of paint, the wood showing through the red, gold , and white layers most prominently on the curving top surface where his right forearm has polished it down in over 30 years of vigorous playing. In addition, Kent is known for his strong, highly emotive vocals, delivered with barely-restrained ardor and a commanding vocal timbre reminiscent of John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters in their prime.



Willie Kent, vocals and bass
Luther "Slim" Adams, guitar
Jacob Dawson, guitar
"Mad Dog" Lester Davenport, harmonica
Ken Barker, piano and organ
Timothy Taylor, drums
Bonnie Lee, guest vocal (7)

1 Memory Of You 4:50
2 Check It Out 4:59
3 Worry Worry (B.B. King) 6:51
4 One More Mile (Muddy Waters) 6:50
5 Ain't It Nice 5:11
6 What You Doin' To Me 4:24
7 I'm Good (Bonnie Lee) 3:57
8 Ma Bea's 1:41
9 Come Home 5:58
10 Feel So Good 5:55
11 Stranded (Junior Parker) 4:18

all songs by Willie Kent unless noted otherwise

Recorded March 20, 26, 1991, Acme Studios, Chicago

AllMusic Review by Bill Dahl

West-side bassist Kent and his Gents serve up Chicago blues the way it was meant to be played (but too often isn't nowadays): with tight ensemble passages that greatly enhance the power of Kent's gruff vocals. His first album for Delmark beautifully typifies his groove-heavy approach; whether digging into a slow grinding blues or an upbeat soul-inflected item, he and his comrades keep their business together.