The fourth hour of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise delivers a raw and unfiltered set that showcases Chicago’s postwar sound alongside a few regional gems that kept the music urgent, streetwise, and steeped in feeling. This is the part of the show where grit takes over, and the music speaks directly to the lived experience of the blues.
The hour kicks off with the hypnotic stomp of John Lee Hooker. With tracks like “Stomp Boogie,” “Moanin’ Blues,” and “Stutterin’ Blues,” Hooker shows why his minimalist, droning guitar style became so influential. His stripped-down approach — voice, guitar, and foot stomp — was both primal and modern, bridging Delta traditions with electrified urban expression. “Don’t Turn Me From Your Door” adds a weary plea that reveals Hooker’s uncanny ability to make a simple line feel monumental.
From Hooker’s solitary intensity, the set shifts to Bobo Jenkins and Eddie Burns, both products of Detroit’s vibrant blues scene. Jenkins’ “Baby Don’t You Want to Go” and Burns’ “Decoration Day Blues” highlight how northern blues drew from southern roots while carving out new identities. Jenkins combined songwriting smarts with driving rhythms, while Burns, a guitarist and harpist, brought a sharper, more modern sound to traditional themes.
The set then returns to Chicago with Memphis Slim’s “I See My Great Mistake.” Slim was more than just a pianist — he was a composer, arranger, and bandleader who brought polish to the Chicago blues scene without sacrificing soul. His track here is a reminder of his ability to tell a full story in just a few bars.
Jimmy Rogers, Junior Wells, and Magic Sam form the backbone of the mid-century Chicago sound. Rogers’ “Chicago Bound” exemplifies his understated yet powerful guitar work, anchoring the classic Muddy Waters band. Wells’ “Come On In This House” adds harmonica grit and showmanship, while Magic Sam’s “Love Me This Way” brings the West Side soul-blues flavor that made him a legend despite his short life. Together, they represent three essential facets of the Chicago tradition: steady groove, harp fire, and soul-driven guitar.
The hour digs even deeper into electric grit with Big John Wrencher, a one-armed harmonica player whose “No Good Weasel” delivers pure street-corner energy. His tough harp playing and booming voice made him a fixture in Maxwell Street blues culture. Roscoe Gordon follows with three cuts — “Real Pretty Mama,” “Shoobie Oobie,” and “Nineteen Years.” Gordon’s distinctive shuffle beat was not only a hit in Memphis but also laid rhythmic foundations that influenced ska and reggae across the Atlantic.
Guitar pyrotechnics continue with Guitar Shorty, whose “Love Loves” and “How Long Will It Last” show off his wild, acrobatic approach to performance. Shorty’s explosive style and raw tone made him an underground favorite and a direct influence on later guitar heroes.
The set also makes room for Billy Red Love, a lesser-known but essential Memphis artist. His tracks “Early in the Morning,” “It Ain’t No More,” and “Juiced” display his piano-driven blues, steeped in rhythm and narrative storytelling. Love was connected with the Sun Records scene but never gained the recognition of his peers — making his inclusion here a gift for listeners who appreciate overlooked gems.
The hour wraps with James Cotton’s roaring version of “Rocket 88.” Originally recorded by Ike Turner’s band, this song is often considered one of the first true rock ’n’ roll records. Cotton’s interpretation keeps it firmly grounded in the blues while acknowledging its role in shaping what was to come.
Hour 4 is all about electricity, groove, and guts. From Hooker’s primal stomp to Cotton’s full-throttle reworking of a classic, the set captures the restless energy of postwar blues. It’s a reminder that the blues is as much about power and drive as it is about sorrow — music that could make the dance floor move while still carrying the weight of lived truth.
Hour 4 Playlist
- Stomp Boogie – John Lee Hooker
- Moanin’ Blues – John Lee Hooker
- Stutterin’ Blues – John Lee Hooker
- Don’t Turn Me From Your Door – John Lee Hooker
- Baby Don’t You Want to Go – Bobo Jenkins
- Decoration Day Blues – Eddie Burns
- I See My Great Mistake – Memphis Slim
- Chicago Bound – Jimmy Rogers
- Come On In This House – Junior Wells
- Love Me This Way – Magic Sam
- No Good Weasel – Big John Wrencher
- Real Pretty Mama – Roscoe Gordon
- Shoobie Oobie – Roscoe Gordon
- Nineteen Years – Roscoe Gordon
- Love Loves – Guitar Shorty
- How Long Will It Last – Guitar Shorty
- Early in the Morning – Billy Red Love
- It Ain’t No More – Billy Red Love
- Juiced – Billy Red Love
- Rocket 88 – James Cotton