The final hour of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise eases listeners into the night with a relaxed blend of jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, and vocal classics. Following an evening that explored Mississippi Delta legends and the Fire record label, Steve Cushing closes the program with sophisticated ballads, swinging jazz performances, and hard-driving R&B that demonstrate the remarkable range of American popular music.

The hour opens with the smooth harmonies of The Ink Spots, whose “Please Take a Letter Miss Brown” recalls the elegant vocal style that made the group one of the most influential harmony acts of the twentieth century. Charlie Parker follows with the haunting “Everything Happens to Me,” reminding listeners that the legendary saxophonist’s emotional depth matched his revolutionary technical brilliance.

Billy Eckstine contributes the heartfelt “I’ll Never Make the Same Mistake Again,” while Dinah Washington delivers the expressive “Pacific Coast Blues,” showcasing the vocal artistry that earned her the title “Queen of the Blues.” Organist Baby Face Willette changes the mood with the soulful instrumental “Face to Face,” adding a touch of jazz-infused groove to the evening.

Billie Holiday appears with two memorable performances, “Who Loves You” and “I’m in a Low Down Groove.” Her unmistakable phrasing and emotional honesty remain among the defining voices of American music, proving once again why her recordings continue to resonate generations later.

The program then shifts toward classic rhythm and blues. Titus Turner delivers the witty “Don’t Take Everybody to Be Your Friend” before Larry Darnell follows with the pleading “What More Do You Want from Me.” Big Maybelle injects energy with the infectious “New Kind of Mambo,” demonstrating the stylistic experimentation taking place during the 1950s.

The Ravens bring their rich vocal harmonies to “Gotta Find My Baby,” while New Orleans pianist Paul Gayten contributes the smooth “Don’t Worry Me.” Titus Turner returns for an extended showcase with “Sweet & Low,” “Big John,” and the driving “All Around the World,” highlighting his versatility as both songwriter and performer.

Detroit Count follows with the entertaining “Little Tillie Willie,” bringing another dose of energetic rhythm and blues before the hour begins its final descent.

Appropriately, Leroy Carr appears with “Blues Before Sunrise,” the classic recording that inspired the name of the program itself. Few songs better capture the spirit of the broadcast, making it a fitting selection as the evening draws to a close. As always, Steve Cushing signs off with Fleetwood Mac’s instrumental masterpiece “Albatross,” a tradition that has become synonymous with the conclusion of Blues Before Sunrise.

Hour Five provides the perfect ending to another unforgettable program, blending sophistication, emotion, and timeless musicianship into one final musical journey before listeners bid farewell until next week’s broadcast.

Playlist – Hour Five

Please Take a Letter Miss Brown – Ink Spots
Everything Happens to Me – Charlie Parker
I’ll Never Make the Same Mistake Again – Billy Eckstine
Pacific Coast Blues – Dinah Washington
Face to Face – Baby Face Willette
Who Loves You – Billie Holiday
I’m in a Low Down Groove – Billie Holiday
Don’t Take Everybody to Be Your Friend – Titus Turner
What More Do You Want from Me – Larry Darnell
New Kind of Mambo – Big Maybelle
Gotta Find My Baby – The Ravens
Don’t Worry Me – Paul Gayten
Sweet & Low – Titus Turner
Big John – Titus Turner
All Around the World – Titus Turner
Little Tillie Willie – Detroit Count
Blues Before Sunrise – Leroy Carr
Albatross – Fleetwood Mac