The final hour of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise provides a fitting close to a program honoring the life and work of producer Mike Vernon. Hour Five moves easily between jazz ballads, soul blues, and electric guitar-driven performances, creating the reflective, late-night mood that often defines the final stretch of the program. It’s an hour where styles blend together—where jazz elegance, blues storytelling, and rhythm-and-blues grooves share the same musical space.

The hour opens with the smooth harmonies of The Four Vagabonds performing “Rose Ann of Charring Cross.” Vocal harmony groups like the Four Vagabonds were hugely popular during the 1930s and 1940s, bridging the gap between jazz, gospel, and early rhythm-and-blues.

From there the music turns to orchestral jazz with a performance by the legendary bandleader Duke Ellington. Ellington’s compositions always carried a sense of sophistication and atmosphere, and his music continues to stand as one of the towering achievements of American jazz.

The smooth baritone voice of Joe Williams follows with “With Every Breath I Take.” Williams, long associated with the Count Basie Orchestra, had a remarkable ability to interpret blues ballads with warmth and emotional depth.

Next comes the powerful vocal style of Dinah Washington. Often called the “Queen of the Blues,” Washington moved effortlessly between blues, jazz, and popular song. Her performance here demonstrates why she remains one of the most influential vocalists of the twentieth century.

Instrumental jazz takes a turn with organ master Jimmy Smith performing his dynamic interpretation of “St. Louis Blues.” Smith’s revolutionary Hammond organ style helped redefine jazz in the late 1950s and early 1960s, bringing gospel feeling and blues rhythm into modern jazz settings.

The mood shifts toward soul blues with recordings from Eunice Davis, whose performances “24 Hours a Day” and “Get Your Enjoys” bring a lively rhythm-and-blues groove into the mix.

Chicago-style electric blues arrives next with the laid-back but unmistakable sound of Jimmy Reed. His recordings “Honey Where You Going,” “Down in Virginia,” and “I’m Gonna Get My Baby” represent the hypnotic shuffle rhythm that made Reed one of the most influential blues artists of the 1950s and 1960s.

The guitar spotlight continues with Texas blues legend Freddy King, whose fiery playing helped shape the sound of modern electric blues. His recording “Goin’ Down” remains one of the most powerful guitar-driven blues performances ever recorded.

Chicago guitar master Buddy Guy follows with “Fever,” delivering the emotional intensity and explosive guitar style that would later inspire generations of blues and rock musicians.

Another outstanding guitarist appears with Pee Wee Crayton and “Peewee Special,” a performance that highlights the smooth West Coast blues sound that flourished during the postwar years.

Rare piano blues arrives with “Forgive Me Baby” from Elmore Nixon, followed by the boogie piano brilliance of Little Willie Littlefield and “Little Willie’s Boogie,” a reminder of how deeply blues piano traditions shaped rhythm-and-blues and early rock music.

As the hour—and the program—draws to a close, the music turns atmospheric with “Albatross” by Fleetwood Mac. Produced by Mike Vernon and written by Peter Green, the instrumental became one of Fleetwood Mac’s most famous recordings. For many listeners, it also served as a gateway into the world of blues music.

Ending the program with “Albatross” creates a quiet, reflective moment—an appropriate farewell to a show honoring a producer whose work helped bring blues music to a wider audience.

Playlist – Hour Five

Rose Ann of Charring Cross – Four Vagabonds

Haupe – Duke Ellington

With Every Breath I Take – Joe Williams

I Don’t Know You Anymore – Dinah Washington

St. Louis Blues – Jimmy Smith

24 Hours a Day – Eunice Davis

Get Your Enjoys – Eunice Davis

Honey Where You Going – Jimmy Reed

Down in Virginia – Jimmy Reed

I’m Gonna Get My Baby – Jimmy Reed

Goin’ Down – Freddy King

Fever – Buddy Guy

Peewee Special – Pee Wee Crayton

Forgive Me Baby – Elmore Nixon

Little Willie’s Boogie – Little Willie Littlefield

Albatross – Fleetwood Mac