Hour Four of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise brings the midnight theme squarely into the electric blues era, where amplified guitars, driving rhythms, and Chicago’s postwar sound transform the quiet mystery of midnight into something raw, emotional, and unforgettable. Featuring many of the architects of modern blues, this hour demonstrates how the midnight hour remained a favorite subject as the music evolved from acoustic country blues into powerful electric performances.

The set begins with Howlin’ Wolf’s unforgettable “Moanin’ at Midnight,” one of the defining recordings of early Chicago blues. Wolf’s booming voice and haunting delivery capture the loneliness and uneasiness that often accompany the darkest hours of the night. It remains one of the greatest blues recordings ever made and perfectly establishes the atmosphere for the hour.

Billy Boy Arnold follows with “Kissin’ at Midnight,” while Elmore James contributes “Late Hours at Midnight.” James’ unmistakable slide guitar adds urgency and emotion, proving once again why he became one of the most influential guitarists in blues history. Baby Face Leroy offers his own recording of “Late Hours at Midnight,” providing an interesting comparison between two artists working within similar musical traditions.

Little Walter slows things slightly with the haunting “Blue Midnight.” Widely regarded as the greatest blues harmonica player of all time, Walter brought remarkable sophistication to every recording, using his amplified harmonica to create sounds that forever changed the instrument’s role in blues music.

Texas blues legend T-Bone Walker appears with “Midnight Blues,” showcasing the elegant guitar style that inspired generations of electric blues musicians. Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown follows with “Midnight Hour,” blending blues, jazz, country, and swing into the eclectic style that became his trademark.

Johnny “Guitar” Watson delivers the classic “Three Hours Past Midnight,” one of the finest slow blues performances of the 1950s. B.B. King continues the theme with “Blues at Midnight,” demonstrating the expressive guitar work and heartfelt vocals that made him one of the most beloved figures in blues history.

Lowell Fulson contributes two outstanding selections, “Between Midnight and Day” and “Midnight Shower,” highlighting his smooth West Coast blues style. Freddy King adds another guitar showcase with the instrumental “Freddy’s Midnight Dream,” while Howlin’ Wolf returns with “Moanin’ for My Baby (Midnight),” reinforcing the powerful emotional connection between Wolf and the late-night blues tradition.

The hour continues with Guitar Slim’s passionate “Long About Midnight,” followed by T-Bone Walker Jr.’s “Midnight Bells Are Ringing.” Willie Nix brings a darker atmosphere with “Midnight Showers of Rain,” while Billy Red Love contributes the reflective “Way After Midnight.”

The closing stretch features Memphis Slim’s “Between Midnight & Day,” where his masterful piano playing reminds listeners that the piano remained central to urban blues even as electric guitars became increasingly dominant. Long John Hunter finishes the featured midnight selections with the smooth “Midnight Stroll,” bringing the hour to a relaxed and satisfying conclusion.

Throughout Hour Four, midnight becomes more than a setting—it becomes a character within the music itself. These recordings capture empty city streets, lonely taverns, late-night conversations, broken relationships, and quiet reflections that come only after the rest of the world has gone to sleep. From Chicago to Texas and beyond, each artist interprets the midnight hour in a unique way while remaining firmly rooted in the blues tradition.

The result is one of the strongest hours of the broadcast, filled with legendary performers whose recordings continue to define electric blues generations after they were first recorded.

Playlist – Hour Four

Moanin’ at Midnight – Howlin’ Wolf
Kissin’ at Midnight – Billy Boy Arnold
Late Hours at Midnight – Elmore James
Blue Midnight – Little Walter
Late Hours at Midnight – Baby Face Leroy
Midnight Blues – T-Bone Walker
Midnight Hour – Gatemouth Brown
Three Hours Past Midnight – Johnny “Guitar” Watson
Blues at Midnight – B.B. King
Between Midnight and Day – Lowell Fulson
Midnight Shower – Lowell Fulson
Freddy’s Midnight Dream – Freddy King
Moanin’ for My Baby (Midnight) – Howlin’ Wolf
Long About Midnight – Guitar Slim
Midnight Bells Are Ringing – T-Bone Walker Jr.
Midnight Showers of Rain – Willie Nix
Way After Midnight – Billy Red Love
Between Midnight & Day – Memphis Slim
Midnight Stroll – Long John Hunter