Hour Five of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise settles into a rich after-hours atmosphere, blending sophisticated jazz vocals, organ jazz, down-home blues, and early rhythm & blues into a beautifully paced closing set. After the deeper historical explorations and electric blues energy heard earlier in the program, the final hour feels relaxed, intimate, and reflective while still carrying plenty of rhythmic drive.

The hour opens gently with Marshall Bro’s “I Won’t Believe You Any More,” easing listeners into the late-night mood before Charlie Parker’s “Out of Nowhere” introduces cool, elegant bebop phrasing. Parker’s alto saxophone work brings a sense of sophistication and emotional subtlety, demonstrating why he remains one of jazz’s defining innovators.

Arthur Prysock continues the smooth atmosphere with “Teardrops in the Rain,” while Ella Fitzgerald’s “My One & Only” adds warmth and grace through her effortless phrasing and vocal control. Jimmy Smith follows with the organ-driven “Once in a While,” creating a smoky jazz-club feeling that perfectly fits the overnight character of the broadcast.

Ray Charles contributes two standout performances with “Moonlight in Vermont” and “Basin Street Blues.” These recordings highlight Charles’ remarkable versatility, moving comfortably between jazz standards and blues interpretation while maintaining his unmistakable emotional presence.

As the hour progresses, the focus gradually shifts toward blues and rhythm & blues. Slim Harpo’s “Bobby Sox Baby” introduces a laid-back Louisiana groove, while Jerry McCain’s “Run Uncle John Run” injects playful harmonica-driven energy. Big John Wrencher’s “Goin’ Upstairs” deepens the Chicago blues feel with gritty vocals and driving rhythm.

Junior Wells keeps the momentum moving with “She’s a Sweet One,” and Roscoe Gordon contributes two rhythm-heavy sides, “I’m Gonna Shake It” and “Real Pretty Mama,” both rooted in the Memphis sound that helped shape early rock and roll. Billy “The Kid” Emerson’s “Cherry Pie” continues the dance-floor energy with infectious rhythm and swagger.

The final stretch of the hour leans fully into classic electric blues and rhythm & blues atmosphere. Johnny Morisette’s “Brick” adds a raw, street-level edge, while Memphis Slim’s “Chicago House Rent Party” captures the spirit of crowded neighborhood gatherings where blues music thrived long after midnight. Don & Dewey’s “Justine” pushes things toward early rock and roll with sharp vocal interplay and energetic rhythm.

As always, the journey concludes with Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross,” a calm instrumental coda that allows the entire five-hour broadcast to drift gently into silence. After an evening filled with swing, gospel, prewar blues, Chicago electric blues, and the final chapter of the Ethel Waters series, the closing selection feels reflective and perfectly earned.

Playlist – Hour Five

I Won’t Believe You Any More – Marshall Bro
Out of Nowhere – Charlie Parker
Teardrops in the Rain – Arthur Prysock
My One & Only – Ella Fitzgerald
Once in a While – Jimmy Smith
Moonlight in Vermont – Ray Charles
Basin Street Blues – Ray Charles
Bobby Sox Baby – Slim Harpo
Run Uncle John Run – Jerry McCain
Goin’ Upstairs – Big John Wrencher
She’s a Sweet One – Jr Wells
I’m Gonna Shake It – Roscoe Gordon
Real Pretty Mama – Roscoe Gordon
Cherry Pie – Billy “The Kid” Emerson
Brick – Johnny Morisette
Chicago House Rent Party – Memphis Slim
Justine – Don & Dewey
Albatross – Fleetwood Mac