Hour 5 of the Blues Before Sunrise broadcast for August 24, 2025, draws together threads from across the spectrum of American roots music. The hour moves fluidly from vocal jazz harmonies to postwar blues grit, reminding listeners that the blues tradition has always been expansive and ever-evolving.

The set begins with the Delta Rhythm Boys, a group that perfected the art of vocal harmony. Their version of “Georgia on My Mind” opens the hour with rich, honeyed tones that showcase both technical finesse and heartfelt delivery. It’s a song that has lived many lives, but here it takes on a classic harmony-group polish. Following this, Lester Young contributes “Just You – Just Me,” a track that highlights the lyrical, relaxed saxophone playing that made him one of jazz’s most beloved improvisers. Together, these performances bring a gentle, sophisticated opening mood.

Ray Charles then shifts the energy with “Walkin’ & Talkin’.” At this stage in his career, Charles was still carving his unique space between gospel, blues, and jazz, and this track shows off the rhythmic pulse and vocal inflection that would soon make him a legend. Sarah Vaughan, one of the finest voices of the 20th century, follows with “If I Knew Then,” blending operatic range with swing sensibility. Her effortless phrasing reminds us how deeply jazz and blues vocal traditions overlap.

The mood then deepens with Don Patterson’s organ-led “Walk On By,” injecting a soulful, urban edge into the proceedings. From there, the program moves into the haunting world of Savannah Churchill, whose ballads “I Want to Cry” and “I’ll Never Belong to Anyone Else” carry emotional weight, vulnerability, and a hint of gospel undertone. Churchill’s ability to embody raw heartbreak in her delivery made her a unique figure bridging jazz, R&B, and blues.

The hour takes a harder blues turn with Dr. Clayton’s “I Need My Baby” and his disciple’s contribution “Farewell Little Girl.” Clayton, known for his biting, sometimes topical blues, left a distinctive mark on postwar Chicago, influencing countless artists. Homer Harris pushes further with “I’m Gonna Cut Your Head,” an intense piece that exemplifies the raw edge of early Chicago blues storytelling.

The deep core of this hour comes with Muddy Waters’ “You Got to Take Sick & Die”, a powerful example of his ability to marry traditional Delta roots with the full-bodied Chicago electric sound. Following him is James Beale St. Clark with “You Can’t Make the Grade,” carrying the same city grit but in his own distinctive voice.

The spotlight then turns to Otis Spann, Muddy’s longtime pianist, whose “It Must Have Been the Devil” captures the very soul of Chicago blues piano. Spann was revered for his ability to make the piano sing with the same authority as a vocalist, and this track is one of his finest. Alfred “Blues King” Harris continues the theme with “Sufficient Clothes,” a driving, confident cut.

The blues fire burns even hotter with Jody Williams’ “Lucky Lou” and Little Walter’s “Oh Baby,” both of which highlight Chess Records’ role in defining Chicago’s electrified sound. Williams’ stinging guitar style and Little Walter’s revolutionary amplified harmonica remind listeners just how transformative the 1950s were for blues instrumentation.

Finally, the program closes with Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross.” While stylistically different, this instrumental by the British blues-rock band ties the circle together, showing how deeply the Chicago blues sound influenced the British Invasion. The dreamy, oceanic feel of “Albatross” acts as a cool-down, leaving listeners in reflection after a powerful set of American blues and jazz history.

Hour 5 ultimately demonstrates the range and resilience of the blues, connecting refined jazz, aching R&B, raw Chicago blues, and even the global reach of the British blues revival. It’s a fitting conclusion to the night’s broadcast.

Hour 5 Playlist

• Georgia on My Mind – Delta Rhythm Boys
• Just You – Just Me – Lester Young
• Walkin’ & Talkin’ – Ray Charles
• If I Knew Then – Sarah Vaughan
• Walk On By – Don Patterson
• I Want to Cry – Savannah Churchill
• I’ll Never Belong to Anyone Else – Savannah Churchill
• I Need My Baby – Dr. Clayton
• Farewell Little Girl – Dr. Clayton’s Buddy
• I’m Gonna Cut Your Head – Homer Harris
• You Got to Take Sick & Die – Muddy Waters
• You Can’t Make the Grade – James Beale St. Clark
• In My Prime – Five Breezes
• It Must Have Been the Devil – Otis Spann
• Sufficient Clothes – Alfred “Blues King” Harris
• Lucky Lou – Jody Williams
• Oh Baby – Little Walter
• Albatross – Fleetwood Mac