Hour Three of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise digs deep into the foundation of the music, pulling from prewar blues, early gospel, and country blues traditions. This is where the polish fades and the core emotion takes over—voices, guitars, and stories that feel immediate, unfiltered, and timeless.

The hour opens with gospel voices, setting a spiritual tone before easing into the blues. The Trumpeteers and Elder Benjamin H. Broadie establish a reverent atmosphere, one rooted in faith and tradition. That feeling continues with Mahalia Jackson, whose performance carries a powerful sense of conviction. Her voice doesn’t just deliver a song—it delivers a message, anchoring the hour in something deeper than entertainment.

From there, the program transitions into the blues with Robert Wilkins’ “That’s No Way to Get Along.” His delivery feels reflective and measured, bridging the sacred and the secular. Casey Bill Weldon follows with “Blues Everywhere I Go,” bringing a lighter, more rhythmic feel while still staying grounded in classic blues structure.

Oscar Woods’ “Don’t Sell It – Don’t Give It Away” adds a storytelling element, while Walter Davis’ “Teasin’ Brownskin” brings a piano-driven groove that feels both playful and rooted in tradition. These tracks highlight the variety within early blues—different approaches, but a shared emotional core.

Bessie Smith appears next with “Need a Little Sugar” and “Safety Mama,” reminding listeners why she remains one of the most commanding voices in blues history. Her presence is undeniable—strong, expressive, and full of personality. She brings a sense of authority to the hour, connecting earlier folk traditions with a more developed vocal style.

Butterbeans & Susie inject humor and energy with “Deal Yourself Another Hand” and “Papa Ain’t No Santa Claus.” Their back-and-forth delivery adds a theatrical quality, showing how blues could entertain as much as it could express hardship.

Then comes Son House, and the mood shifts dramatically. Tracks like “Grinnin’ in Your Face,” “John the Revelator,” and “Pearline” strip everything down to its bare essentials. His voice is raw, intense, and completely direct—no instrumentation needed to carry the weight. These performances feel almost confrontational in their honesty, pulling the listener in with a force that’s impossible to ignore.

The hour closes with Big Bill Broonzy, whose “She’s Gone With the Wind” and “I Feel So Good” bring a sense of balance back to the set. His style blends the rawness of Delta blues with a more polished, approachable sound, making for a fitting transition toward the later, more modern hours of the program.

Hour Three is the heart of the show. It’s where the music is at its most fundamental—built on voice, rhythm, and lived experience. There’s no excess here, no distraction—just the blues in its purest form.

Playlist – Hour Three

At the Cross I’ll Bow – Trumpeteers

John Saw the Holy Number – Elder Benjamin H. Broadie

It’s Real – Mahalia Jackson

That’s No Way to Get Along – Robert Wilkins

Blues Everywhere I Go – Casey Bill Weldon

Don’t Sell It – Don’t Give It Away – Oscar Woods

Teasin’ Brownskin – Walter Davis

Need a Little Sugar – Bessie Smith

Safety Mama – Bessie Smith

Deal Yourself Another Hand – Butterbeans & Susie

Papa Ain’t No Santa Claus – Butterbeans & Susie

Grinnin’ in Your Face – Son House

John the Revelator – Son House

Pearline – Son House

She’s Gone With the Wind – Big Bill Broonzy

I Feel So Good – Big Bill Broonzy