Hour Two of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise delivers a seamless blend of postwar rhythm and blues before transitioning into an inspiring collection of vintage gospel recordings. The first half captures the excitement of the late 1940s and 1950s R&B scene with powerhouse vocalists, jump blues, and piano-driven performances, while the second half reminds listeners of the deep spiritual traditions that have always shared close ties with the blues.

The hour begins with Wynonie Harris, one of rhythm and blues’ most energetic entertainers. “Come Back Baby” and the lively “Whiskey & Jelly Roll” showcase the charismatic delivery and infectious stage presence that helped make Harris one of the architects of early rock and roll. His exuberant vocals and driving rhythms continue to sound as fresh today as they did when first recorded.

Roy Brown follows with “Train Time,” another reminder of his enormous influence on postwar blues and R&B. Brown’s emotional singing and dynamic performances paved the way for generations of soul and rock vocalists.

Jimmy McCracklin keeps the momentum going with “The Wobble,” while Titus Turner contributes the heartfelt “My Lonely Room,” demonstrating the wide emotional range that rhythm and blues embraced during the 1950s.

LaVern Baker appears with two standout recordings, “I’ll Do the Same for You” and “I Can’t Love You Enough.” One of the era’s finest female vocalists, Baker combined gospel passion, blues feeling, and polished professionalism to become one of Atlantic Records’ brightest stars.

Ivory Joe Hunter brings his smooth vocal style and accomplished songwriting to “I Like It,” while Lil Palimore contributes the lesser-known but engaging “I Believe I’ll Go Back Home,” offering listeners another overlooked gem from the golden age of rhythm and blues.

The program then reaches back into earlier jazz traditions with Three Bits of Rhythm performing the lively “Bronzeville Jump,” followed by Speckled Red’s rollicking piano feature “Wilkins Street Stomp.” Papa Charlie Jackson contributes “Mama Don’t Allow It,” reminding listeners of the rich variety found in prewar blues recordings, while Leroy Carr delivers the elegant “Blue Night Blues,” one of his signature piano blues performances.

The final portion of the hour shifts toward sacred music with a moving selection of vintage gospel recordings. The Southern Jubilee Singers perform the beautiful spiritual “Listen to the Lambs,” before the unforgettable Rev. A.W. Nix delivers his dramatic sermon-song “Goin’ to Hell & Who Cares,” one of the most memorable recordings in early gospel history.

The Swan Silvertones continue with “What Could I Do,” followed by the Harmonizing Four’s stirring “I Cried Holy.” The Swanee Spiritual Singers perform “Let Us Stand on the Rocks,” and the hour concludes with Wings Over Jordan’s uplifting “Take Me to the Water,” bringing the program to a peaceful and inspirational close.

Hour Two perfectly illustrates the close relationship between blues, rhythm and blues, and gospel music. Though each genre developed its own identity, all three share common roots, emotional honesty, and musical traditions that continue to resonate with audiences decades later.

Playlist – Hour Two

Come Back Baby – Wynonie Harris
Whiskey & Jelly Roll – Wynonie Harris
Train Time – Roy Brown
The Wobble – Jimmy McCracklin
My Lonely Room – Titus Turner
I’ll Do the Same for You – LaVern Baker
I Can’t Love You Enough – LaVern Baker
I Like It – Ivory Joe Hunter
I Believe I’ll Go Back Home – Lil Palimore
Bronzeville Jump – Three Bits of Rhythm
Wilkins Street Stomp – Speckled Red
Mama Don’t Allow It – Papa Charlie Jackson
Blue Night Blues – Leroy Carr
Listen to the Lambs – Southern Jubilee Singers
Goin’ to Hell & Who Cares – Rev. A.W. Nix
What Could I Do – Swan Silvertones
I Cried Holy – Harmonizing Four
Let Us Stand on the Rocks – Swanee Spiritual Singers
Take Me to the Water – Wings Over Jordan