The final hour of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise is a genre-spanning journey, pulling in smooth harmony groups, jazz organ masters, downhome bluesmen, British blues rockers, and everything in between. It’s a fitting conclusion to a night that has already traveled through nearly every corner of the blues map.
The Ink Spots open with “I Get the Blues When It Rains,” their signature close-harmony style bringing a nostalgic glow. Joe Williams returns with “By the River St. Marie,” a reminder of his ability to blend jazz phrasing with blues feeling. Dinah Washington follows with “Make Believe Dreams,” her voice poised and commanding, effortlessly shifting between tenderness and authority.
Brother Jack McDuff’s “Hot Barbeque” cranks up the groove with greasy Hammond B-3 organ work, and Groove Holmes’ “Blues All Day Long” keeps the organ-fronted swing going strong. Dr. Ross changes the texture with “Mean Old World,” his one-man-band style offering grit and urgency.
Woodrow Adams brings Delta fire with “Baby You Just Don’t Know” and “Winehead Woman,” while Driftin’ Slim adds raw charm with “Good Morning Baby” and “My Sweet Woman.” Houston Boines’ “Superintendent Blues” and “Monkey Motion” layer in hypnotic, rhythmic blues that feel equal parts juke joint and front porch.
Arthur K. Adams moves the sound into funkier territory before Fleetwood Mac delivers “Black Magic Woman” and the dreamy instrumental “Albatross,” showing the British blues invasion at its peak. B.B. King’s “The Woman I Love” brings it back to American blues royalty, Guitar Crusher’s “Since My Baby Hit the Numbers” injects a shot of high-energy R&B, and the hour—and the show—close with a final, lingering note from Fleetwood Mac.
This set proves that the blues knows no boundaries, flowing seamlessly across eras, styles, and geographies while retaining its emotional truth.
Playlist – Hour 5
- I Get the Blues When It Rains – Ink Spots
- By the River St. Marie – Joe Williams
- Make Believe Dreams – Dinah Washington
- Hot Barbeque – Brother Jack McDuff
- Blues All Day Long – Groove Holmes
- Mean Old World – Dr. Ross
- Baby You Just Don’t Know – Woodrow Adams
- Winehead Woman – Woodrow Adams
- Good Morning Baby – Driftin’ Slim
- My Sweet Woman – Driftin’ Slim
- Superintendent Blues – Houston Boines
- Monkey Motion – Houston Boines
- Drives Me Out of My Mind – Arthur K. Adams
- Black Magic Woman – Fleetwood Mac
- The Woman I Love – B.B. King
- Since My Baby Hit the Numbers – Guitar Crusher
- Albatross – Fleetwood Mac