Hour Two of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise moves deeper into the postwar era, when blues began blending with swing, rhythm and blues, and early rock and roll. The music in this hour captures a period when American popular music was shifting rapidly. Dance halls were alive with jump blues bands, piano-driven rhythm sections, and powerful vocalists whose recordings helped shape the sound of the 1940s and 1950s.
The hour begins with the streetwise blues groove of Jimmy McCracklin performing “The Walk.” McCracklin’s relaxed vocal style and steady rhythm made him one of the most recognizable voices of West Coast rhythm and blues. His songs often reflected everyday life, delivered with a conversational style that connected easily with audiences.
Energy quickly rises with the lively performances of The Treniers on “Convertible Cadillac” and “Rock & Roll President.” Known for their explosive stage shows and humorous lyrics, the Treniers helped bring rhythm and blues closer to the rock-and-roll sound that would soon dominate the music world.
Piano blues takes center stage next with Floyd Dixon performing “Real Lovin’ Mama.” Dixon was a master of West Coast blues piano, blending boogie-woogie rhythms with smooth vocal delivery. His recordings helped define the relaxed yet rhythmic style that flourished in California blues clubs.
The hour also highlights the expressive vocals of Lulu Reed with “Walk On By” and “When My Love Was Down.” Reed’s recordings showcased the emotional strength of female rhythm-and-blues singers during the 1950s, delivering blues themes with a soulful intensity.
Next comes a trio of performances from Annie Laurie, including “Nobody’s Gonna Hurt You,” “Hold Onto What You Got,” and “Stop Talkin’ – Start Walkin’.” Laurie was known for her smooth phrasing and confident vocal style, bringing a strong personality to her rhythm-and-blues recordings.
New Orleans rhythm enters the picture with “Rootin’ & Tootin’” from Smiley Lewis. Lewis recorded many influential R&B songs during the 1950s, even though several of his hits were later covered by other artists who found greater commercial success.
The hour continues with rare recordings such as “On Your Way” by Barrelhouse Buck and the playful hokum blues of the Hokum Boys performing “Do You Catch On” and “Georgia Mule.” Hokum blues was known for its humorous lyrics and lively rhythms, offering a lighter side of the blues tradition.
The powerful voice of Ethel Waters returns to the program with “Come Up and See Me Sometime” and “You’ve Seen Harlem at Its Best.” Waters was one of the most important singers of the early twentieth century, equally comfortable in blues, jazz, and Broadway performances.
As the hour moves toward its conclusion, the program transitions into gospel music, reflecting the deep spiritual roots shared with the blues tradition. The harmonies of the Pilgrim Travelers on “Ring Them Golden Bells” bring a powerful gospel quartet sound, followed by the passionate preaching style of T‑N‑T Burton performing “Let God Fight Your Battles.”
The hour closes with the soaring gospel harmonies of the Swan Silvertones and their moving performance of “Careless Soul.” Ending the hour with gospel reminds listeners that blues and spiritual music have always been closely connected, each expressing different sides of the same emotional and cultural experience.
Together these recordings create an hour that moves from jump blues dance rhythms to heartfelt gospel devotion, capturing another chapter in the long and evolving story of the blues.
Playlist – Hour Two
The Walk – Jimmy McCracklin
Convertible Cadillac – Treniers
Rock & Roll President – Treniers
Real Lovin’ Mama – Floyd Dixon
Walk On By – Lulu Reed
When My Love Was Down – Lulu Reed
Nobody’s Gonna Hurt You – Annie Laurie
Hold Onto What You Got – Annie Laurie
Stop Talkin’ – Start Walkin’ – Annie Laurie
Rootin’ & Tootin’ – Smiley Lewis
On Your Way – Barrelhouse Buck
Do You Catch On – Hokum Boys
Georgia Mule – Hokum Boys
Come Up and See Me Sometime – Ethel Waters
You’ve Seen Harlem at Its Best – Ethel Waters
Ring Them Golden Bells – Pilgrim Travelers
Let God Fight Your Battles – T-N-T Burton
Careless Soul – Swan Silvertones