Hour 1 of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise kicks off with a rich selection of prewar and early postwar blues, offering listeners a foundational understanding of the artists and styles that laid the groundwork for modern blues. This hour emphasizes the transitional period from the acoustic and swing-infused blues of the 1930s and 1940s into the electrified Chicago sound that would dominate the postwar era.
The hour opens with Jimmy Witherspoon’s “Baby Baby,” a track that showcases Witherspoon’s powerful, velvety baritone and his gift for phrasing that blends blues storytelling with jazz sensibilities. Following this, Jesse Price contributes a series of spirited cuts, including “Blue Book Boogie,” “That’s the Way She Feels,” “Frettin’ for Some Pettin’,” and “Froggy Bottom.” Price’s swing-influenced piano style and smooth, rhythmic approach highlight the continued influence of jazz on early postwar blues, demonstrating the genre’s adaptability and its appeal to both dance hall audiences and blues aficionados.
Listeners are then treated to Julia Lee’s unforgettable vocal and piano work. Tracks like “Lotus Blossom,” “King-Sized Papa,” “Scream in the Night,” “All This Beef & Big Ripe Tomatoes,” “Corina Corina,” and “Goin’ to Kansas City” exemplify Lee’s playful, risqué lyricism and her seamless blending of boogie-woogie rhythms with sophisticated swing arrangements. Lee’s work represents one of the early examples of women asserting themselves as major forces in the blues and R&B scenes, influencing future generations of female performers.
Hour 1 also spotlights The Ravens, one of the pioneering vocal groups of the late 1940s, with “Please Believe Me.” The Ravens were instrumental in shaping the vocal harmony approach that later influenced doo-wop and R&B groups. Their rich harmonies and emotive phrasing make this track a perfect bridge between prewar blues traditions and emerging postwar urban styles.
Piano master Pete Johnson contributes the energetic “Boogie Woogie,” offering listeners a taste of the vibrant Kansas City boogie-woogie scene that played a significant role in developing the rhythmic drive of postwar blues. Johnson’s virtuosic left-hand patterns and swinging tempos would go on to inspire countless blues and jazz pianists.
The hour continues with a mix of vocal and instrumental selections, including Sissle & Blake’s “Bandana Days” and Morris Lane’s “Moon Ray.” These tracks highlight the wide range of styles present during the late 1940s, from classic blues storytelling to jazz-inflected instrumentals. Each recording captures the essence of the transitional period, demonstrating how prewar blues forms evolved and influenced the next generation of Chicago and urban blues artists.
Hour 1 of Blues Before Sunrise serves as a refresher course for blues enthusiasts and newcomers alike, providing essential listening that illustrates the stylistic links between prewar blues pioneers and the postwar artists who carried the tradition forward. From Witherspoon’s smooth vocal delivery to Julia Lee’s playful and bold expressions, the hour presents a curated snapshot of the early blues era, emphasizing both continuity and innovation. This hour reminds listeners of the enduring power of these early recordings and their lasting influence on modern blues and R&B.
Hour 1 Playlist
- Baby Baby – Jimmy Witherspoon
- Blue Book Boogie – Jesse Price
- That’s the Way She Feels – Jesse Price
- Frettin’ for Some Pettin’ – Jesse Price
- Froggy Bottom – Jesse Price
- Lotus Blossom – Julia Lee
- King-Sized Papa – Julia Lee
- Scream in the Night – Julia Lee
- All This Beef & Big Ripe Tomatoes – Julia Lee
- Times Getting’ Tougher Than Tough – Jimmy Witherspoon
- Corina Corina – Julia Lee
- Goin’ to Kansas City – Julia Lee
- Roll ‘Em Pete – Julia Lee
- Please Believe Me – Ravens
- Boogie Woogie – Pete Johnson
- Bandana Days – Sissle & Blake
- Moon Ray – Morris Lane