Hour Four of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise is a showcase of postwar blues at its finest, featuring a lineup filled with legendary performers whose recordings helped define the sound of modern blues. From the sophisticated urban blues of B.B. King and Bobby Bland to the pioneering guitar work of T-Bone Walker, this hour highlights artists who expanded the reach of the blues while remaining deeply connected to its roots.

B.B. King opens the hour with a trio of outstanding recordings: “Meet My Happiness,” “All Over Again,” and “Sweet Sixteen.” Even in his early years, King possessed a distinctive style that combined expressive guitar playing with heartfelt vocals. His ability to communicate emotion through both voice and instrument would eventually make him one of the most celebrated blues artists in history.

Bobby Bland follows with “Ain’t That Lovin’ You,” “The Feeling Is Gone,” “36-22-36,” and “Queen for a Day.” Bland’s unique blend of blues, gospel, and soul earned him the nickname “The Lion of the Blues.” His smooth yet powerful vocal delivery brought a new level of sophistication to blues music and helped bridge the gap between traditional blues and the emerging soul movement.

Little Milton takes over with “The Same Old Blues,” “I’m a Lonely Man,” and “Dead Love.” These performances reveal the emotional depth and versatility that made him one of the most respected blues singers and guitarists of his generation. His recordings often combined blues feeling with modern arrangements, creating a sound that appealed to both traditional and contemporary audiences.

Johnny Ace contributes “The Clock” and “I’m Crazy Baby,” offering a glimpse into the smooth, romantic style that made him one of the brightest stars of early rhythm and blues before his career was tragically cut short.

The second half of the hour shifts toward some of the most influential guitar-driven blues of the postwar period. T-Bone Walker appears with “T-Bone Shuffle,” “Mean Old World,” and “Papa Ain’t Salty.” Walker’s innovative electric guitar techniques would inspire countless blues, rock, and jazz musicians in the decades that followed. His sophisticated approach to the instrument helped establish the blueprint for modern blues guitar.

Lightning Hopkins contributes the reflective “Traveler’s Blues,” bringing a more rural Texas blues flavor into the mix. His conversational style and unique guitar approach provide an effective contrast to the polished urban recordings surrounding it.

Lloyd Glenn’s “Still Waters” showcases the elegant piano style that made him a key figure in West Coast blues, while Roy Gaines closes the featured performances with the atmospheric “Night Beat,” a recording that captures the late-night mood perfectly.

Hour Four demonstrates how the blues evolved during the 1950s and early 1960s, growing more sophisticated while retaining its emotional honesty and storytelling power. The artists featured here each played a vital role in shaping the future of blues music, and their recordings remain as compelling today as when they were first released.

Playlist – Hour Four

Meet My Happiness – B.B. King
All Over Again – B.B. King
Sweet Sixteen – B.B. King
Ain’t That Lovin’ You – Bobby Bland
The Feeling Is Gone – Bobby Bland
36-22-36 – Bobby Bland
Queen for a Day – Bobby Bland
The Same Old Blues – Little Milton
I’m a Lonely Man – Little Milton
Dead Love – Little Milton
The Clock – Johnny Ace
I’m Crazy Baby – Johnny Ace
T-Bone Shuffle – T-Bone Walker
Traveler’s Blues – Lightning Hopkins
Mean Old World – T-Bone Walker
Still Waters – Lloyd Glenn
Papa Ain’t Salty – T-Bone Walker
Night Beat – Roy Gaines