Hour One of Blues Before Sunrise sets the tone with assurance and style. This is the hour where the listener is welcomed in, coat still on, drink just poured. Nothing is rushed. Instead, the music unfolds with control, elegance, and quiet authority, establishing trust that the next four hours are in good hands. These are records chosen not to overwhelm, but to invite.
Elder Charles Beck opens the show with “Winehead Willie – Put That Bottle Down,” a sermon wrapped in blues cadence. It’s a reminder that the blues has always been close to the pulpit, capable of warning as much as entertaining. That grounding makes Billy Eckstine’s trio of songs land even harder. “Lonesome Lover Blues,” “Tell Me Pretty Baby,” and “Cottage for Sale” showcase Eckstine’s unmatched ability to balance vulnerability with sophistication. His voice is rich, controlled, and unhurried — heartbreak delivered with dignity.
Ernestine Anderson continues the refined mood with “My Kinda Love,” “Mound Bayou,” and “Lazy Afternoon.” Her phrasing is conversational yet precise, and her emotional range subtle but deep. These are songs that reward close listening, perfect for the late-night intimacy the program thrives on. Nellie Lutcher follows with a burst of personality. “He’s a Real Gone Guy,” “I Thought About You,” and “Cool Water” combine wit, swing, and charm, reminding us that intelligence and humor have always been central to the blues tradition.
Illinois Jacquet shifts the hour from vocal elegance to instrumental fire. “For Europeans Only,” “Big Dog,” and “You Left Me Alone” feature his tenor sax at full strength — bold, playful, and fearless. Jacquet’s sound injects motion into the hour, nudging the listener from reflection toward engagement without breaking the spell.
The Delta Rhythm Boys’ “Conversation at Midnight” feels perfectly placed, its harmonies echoing the kind of quiet exchanges that happen when the rest of the world is asleep. Meade Lux Lewis’ “Tell Your Story” brings boogie-woogie piano into focus, a reminder that rhythm has always been the engine of the blues, even in its most refined forms.
Buck & Bubbles’ “Rhythm for Sale” leans into that idea, blending vaudeville roots with jazz sophistication. Jackie Davis closes the hour with “Love Is Just Around the Corner” and “Hammond Gone Cha-Cha,” her organ work modern, playful, and forward-looking. It’s a subtle signal that while this show honors history, it isn’t trapped by it.
Hour One doesn’t shout its intentions. It earns attention through confidence and craft. By the time it ends, the listener is settled in, senses sharpened, ready for the deeper emotional currents ahead. This is how Blues Before Sunrise always works best — by opening the door slowly and letting the music do the talking.
Hour 1 Playlist
- Winehead Willie – Put That Bottle Down – Elder Charles Beck
- Lonesome Lover Blues – Billy Eckstine
- Tell Me Pretty Baby – Billy Eckstine
- Cottage for Sale – Billy Eckstine
- My Kinda Love – Ernestine Anderson
- Mound Bayou – Ernestine Anderson
- Lazy Afternoon – Ernestine Anderson
- He’s a Real Gone Guy – Nellie Lutcher
- I Thought About You – Nellie Lutcher
- Cool Water – Nellie Lutcher
- For Europeans Only – Illinois Jacquet
- Big Dog – Illinois Jacquet
- You Left Me Alone – Illinois Jacquet
- Conversation at Midnight – Delta Rhythm Boys
- Tell Your Story – Meade Lux Lewis
- Rhythm for Sale – Buck & Bubbles
- Love Is Just Around the Corner – Jackie Davis
- Hammond Gone Cha-Cha – Jackie Davis