Hour Three of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise takes listeners back to May 1938, when record companies Decca and Vocalion were busy documenting some of the finest blues talent working in America. Rather than focusing on a single artist, this hour presents a musical snapshot of one remarkable month in recording history, drawing performances from a series of sessions held in New York City and Chicago.

The result is a fascinating cross-section of late Depression-era blues, featuring artists from across the South and Midwest whose recordings helped preserve the rich diversity of prewar blues styles.

The journey begins with Kokomo Arnold’s “Your Ways & Actions.” Arnold was one of the most distinctive slide guitar players of the era, combining powerful vocals with a driving guitar style that influenced generations of musicians, including a young Robert Johnson.

Big Bill Broonzy follows with “New Shake ’Em On Down,” a recording that demonstrates why Broonzy became one of the most important figures in twentieth-century blues. His ability to blend rural blues traditions with the evolving sounds of urban audiences made him one of the era’s most successful recording artists.

Female blues voices are represented by Hattie Bolton’s “Down Home Shake” and Cow Cow Davenport’s spirited “Don’t You Loudmouth Me.” Davenport, better known as a pianist, was among the most versatile performers working in Chicago during the 1930s.

Blind John Davis contributes “Alley Woman Blues,” showcasing the elegant piano accompaniment and smooth vocal style that later made him a favorite accompanist for many Chicago blues artists. Jimmie Gordon’s “Alberta Alberta” and James Hall’s “West Helena Blues” further illustrate the variety of regional influences present during these sessions.

One of the hour’s most intriguing performances comes from Yas-Yas Girl with “Running Down My Manyas.” Her humorous and energetic vocal style reflects the popularity of vaudeville and theatrical blues during the period.

Curtis Jones delivers the memorable “Palace Blues,” displaying the sophisticated piano work and expressive songwriting that made him one of Chicago’s leading blues performers. Frankie Jones follows with the colorful “Bring Your Mud & Let’s Daub,” a recording that captures the playful spirit often found in blues music.

Black Bottom McPhail’s “Don’t Go Down in Black Bottom” offers a vivid portrait of urban life, while Monkey Joe Coleman’s “Three O’Clock Blues” showcases the earthy, direct approach that characterized much of the era’s blues output.

The latter portion of the hour continues with Jack Newman’s “Way Late in the Evening,” One-Arm Slim’s energetic “Bootin’ That Thing,” and Ollie Sheppard’s “Solid Jack.” Each recording highlights a different aspect of the blues tradition, from dance music to storytelling and social commentary.

Trixie Smith’s “Jack I’m Mellow” stands as one of the hour’s highlights, featuring a veteran blues vocalist whose recording career stretched back to the early 1920s. Bumble Bee Slim closes the featured selections with “Rough Road Blues” and “New Mean Mistreater,” two outstanding examples of his smooth vocal style and enduring songwriting abilities.

Taken together, these recordings offer a remarkable window into a single month of blues history. The artists came from different backgrounds and regions, yet all contributed to a musical tradition that continues to influence musicians nearly a century later. Hour Three serves as both an entertaining listening experience and an important reminder of the incredible depth and richness of the blues during the late 1930s.

Playlist – Hour Three

Your Ways & Actions – Kokomo Arnold
New Shake ’Em On Down – Big Bill Broonzy
Down Home Shake – Hattie Bolton
Don’t You Loudmouth Me – Cow Cow Davenport
Alley Woman Blues – Blind John Davis
Alberta Alberta – Jimmie Gordon
West Helena Blues – James Hall
Running Down My Manyas – Yas-Yas Girl
Palace Blues – Curtis Jones
Bring Your Mud & Let’s Daub – Frankie Jones
Don’t Go Down in Black Bottom – Black Bottom McPhail
Three O’Clock Blues – Monkey Joe Coleman
Way Late in the Evening – Jack Newman
Bootin’ That Thing – One-Arm Slim
Solid Jack – Ollie Sheppard
Jack I’m Mellow – Trixie Smith
Rough Road Blues – Bumble Bee Slim
New Mean Mistreater – Bumble Bee Slim
Albatross – Fleetwood Mac