Hour Two of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise shifts the program firmly into the postwar years, where blues begins to stretch into rhythm & blues, jump bands, and the early outlines of soul. The sound grows fuller, the rhythms more pronounced, and the performances carry a sense of movement—music made for both listening and living.

Buddy Johnson’s “Kool Kitty” gets things started with a tight band arrangement and a strong rhythmic pulse, setting the tone for a lively, band-driven hour. That energy carries straight into Ella Johnson’s series of recordings, where her vocals move easily between playful and assertive. Tracks like “Gotto Go Upside Your Head” and “Don’t Shout at Me Daddy” showcase the blend of humor, attitude, and emotional clarity that defined much of early R&B.

Pigmeat Markham adds a touch of personality and novelty with “Batter Up,” a reminder that blues and R&B have always made room for storytelling that doesn’t take itself too seriously. From there, Camille Howard steps in with piano-driven sides like “Fiesta in Old Mexico” and “Excite Me Daddy,” bringing a boogie-woogie backbone that keeps the momentum moving.

The heart of the hour belongs to Ethel Waters, whose extended set demonstrates just how wide the blues spectrum could be. Moving from “Bread & Gravy” to “Georgia on My Mind,” her performances carry both emotional weight and stylistic versatility. She bridges earlier jazz-influenced blues with the evolving R&B sound, her voice equally capable of tenderness and strength.

As the hour progresses, the mood begins to shift. The driving rhythms soften, making space for a more reflective close. The Bessemer Sunset Four and Rev. M.L. Gipson introduce a gospel element, bringing spiritual themes into the mix. The Flying Clouds of Detroit close the hour with a sense of reverence, grounding the program in the deep connection between blues and gospel traditions.

Hour Two works as a transition point in the overall show. It moves the listener from the polished swing and jazz vocals of Hour One into a more rhythm-focused, emotionally varied landscape. At the same time, it hints at what’s to come—both the raw roots explored in Hour Three and the electrified energy waiting later in the program.

Playlist – Hour Two

Kool Kitty – Buddy Johnson
Gotto Go Upside Your Head – Ella Johnson
Bout to Break My Heart – Ella Johnson
Don’t Shout at Me Daddy – Ella Johnson
Good Bye Baby – Here I Go – Ella Johnson
Batter Up – Pigmeat Markham
Fiesta in Old Mexico – Camille Howard
Excite Me Daddy – Camille Howard
Bread & Gravy – Ethel Waters
Down in My Soul – Ethel Waters
Georgia on My Mind – Ethel Waters
Stop Worryin’ Myself – Ethel Waters
Old Man Harlem – Ethel Waters
Push Out – Ethel Waters
Don’t You Want That Stone – Bessemer Sunset Four
God Will Protect His Own – Rev. M.L. Gipson
Out of the Depths – Flying Clouds of Detroit