Hour Five of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise settles into a calm and reflective mood, offering a graceful closing stretch after an evening filled with jazz, gospel quartets, rhythm & blues, and electric blues. The pacing slows, the arrangements breathe a little more, and the focus shifts toward atmosphere and feeling. It’s the kind of hour designed for listeners still awake long after midnight, letting the music drift naturally from sophisticated jazz into deep blues.

The Mills Brothers open with “Wish I Had a Brand New Heart,” their smooth harmonies immediately establishing the relaxed tone. Cal Tjader follows with “It’s You or No One,” bringing a cool, understated Latin jazz influence that adds warmth without disrupting the hour’s flow.

Nat King Cole’s “I’m Lost” continues the intimate atmosphere, his voice carrying effortless elegance and emotional restraint. Shirley Horn follows with “How Am I to Know,” delivering one of the hour’s quietest and most emotionally nuanced performances. Her phrasing feels conversational, perfectly suited for the overnight setting.

Larry Young’s “Young Blues” adds a modern jazz texture through organ-driven improvisation, subtly increasing the energy before Sam Cooke steps in with “You Were Made for Me” and “Just for You.” His recordings bridge gospel roots and emerging soul music, offering warmth and sincerity that fit naturally within the late-night sequence.

From there, the hour gradually shifts back toward blues. Sunnyland Slim’s “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” brings a grounded Chicago blues feel, while Harmonica George’s “Sputnik Music” injects a touch of playful energy. JoJo Williams follows with “Rock & Roll Boogie” and “All Pretty Women,” adding rhythm and momentum without losing the relaxed atmosphere.

Henry Gray’s “How Can You Do It” returns the focus to piano-driven blues, his rolling style connecting back to earlier traditions heard throughout the night. Morris Pejoe’s “Baby I’m Lonely” deepens the emotional tone, leading smoothly into Eddie Clearwater’s “A-Minor Cha-Cha,” which blends blues structure with a lightly danceable rhythm.

The final stretch belongs to Zora Young, whose “Blues Falling Down Like Rain” and “Two Trains Running” close the vocal portion of the hour with strength and emotional depth. Her performances feel timeless—firmly rooted in Chicago blues while still carrying a contemporary edge.

And then, as always, “Albatross” arrives to close the program. Fleetwood Mac’s instrumental remains the perfect ending for Blues Before Sunrise—quiet, spacious, and reflective, allowing the entire five-hour journey to slowly fade into silence.

Hour Five works as a gentle landing after a wide-ranging musical trip. It doesn’t seek a dramatic finish. Instead, it closes with warmth, mood, and the enduring comfort of blues and jazz played deep into the night.

Playlist – Hour Five

Wish I Had a Brand New Heart – Mills Brothers
It’s You or No One – Cal Tjader
I’m Lost – Nat King Cole
How Am I to Know – Shirley Horn
Young Blues – Larry Young
You Were Made for Me – Sam Cooke
Just for You – Sam Cooke
Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – Sunnyland Slim
Sputnik Music – Harmonica George
Rock & Roll Boogie – JoJo Williams
All Pretty Women – JoJo Williams
How Can You Do It – Henry Gray
Baby I’m Lonely – Morris Pejoe
A-Minor Cha-Cha – Eddie Clearwater
Blues Falling Down Like Rain – Zora Young
Two Trains Running – Zora Young
Albatross – Fleetwood Mac