Hour 4 is the crown jewel of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise, dedicated entirely to the raw, electrifying sound of J.B. Hutto. Known for his fiery slide guitar work, searing vocals, and flamboyant stage presence—often topped with his signature fez—Hutto was the kind of performer who left no doubt in the audience’s mind that they’d just witnessed the real thing.
The set opens with “Pet Cream Man,” a swaggering blues stomp that immediately shows off Hutto’s unrelenting slide attack. “Lovin’ You” and “Now She’s Gone” keep the emotional temperature high, pairing raw vocals with churning rhythm. “Combination Boogie” shifts into a driving groove, while “The Price of Love” slows the pace to deliver a blues lament steeped in heartache.
Tracks like “Things Are So Slow” and “Dim Lights” reveal Hutto’s mastery of dynamics—building tension and release with every bottleneck flourish. “Going Ahead” and “Please Help” push the urgency forward, while “Too Much Alcohol” captures the humor and candor that were part of his stage persona.
“Mistake in Life” and “Married Woman Blues” keep the grit coming, showing Hutto’s comfort in both mid-tempo shuffles and slow, grinding blues. His version of “Dust My Broom” is a high-octane homage to Elmore James, full of metallic slide firepower.
As the set nears its close, “Hip Shakin’” and “20% Alcohol” bring the party vibe to the forefront, ensuring that this tribute to J.B. Hutto is as raucous, joyful, and unapologetically real as the man himself.
This hour stands as a reminder of why J.B. Hutto remains a touchstone for slide guitarists and Chicago blues fans alike: he played like a man who had nothing to lose and everything to give.
Playlist – Hour 4
- Pet Cream Man – J.B. Hutto
- Lovin’ You – J.B. Hutto
- Now She’s Gone – J.B. Hutto
- Combination Boogie – J.B. Hutto
- Price of Love – J.B. Hutto
- Things Are So Slow – J.B. Hutto
- Dim Lights – J.B. Hutto
- Going Ahead – J.B. Hutto
- Please Help – J.B. Hutto
- Too Much Alcohol – J.B. Hutto
- Married Woman Blues – J.B. Hutto
- That’s the Truth – J.B. Hutto
- Dust My Broom – J.B. Hutto
- Mistake in Life – J.B. Hutto
- Blues Stay Away from Me – J.B. Hutto
- Hip Shakin’ – J.B. Hutto
- 20% Alcohol – J.B. Hutto