Hour Two continues this week’s Hep Harmony Blowout, shifting the spotlight to another remarkable collection of vocal groups whose recordings helped shape the sound of American popular music during the 1930s and 1940s. While the opening hour featured celebrated ensembles like the Mills Brothers and Ink Spots, this hour expands the story by exploring harmony groups that blended gospel, jazz, swing, rhythm & blues, and pop into an unmistakable vocal style that still sounds fresh decades later.
The hour begins with the Jubilaires, whose rich harmonies and spirited performances made them one of the finest vocal groups to emerge from the gospel tradition. Beginning with the railroad classic “Casey Jones,” followed by “Midnight Choo Choo to Alabama,” “Let It Rain,” and “As Summer Turns to Fall,” the group demonstrates its remarkable versatility, moving comfortably between spiritual themes and popular songs while maintaining its unmistakable vocal blend.
The Spirits of Rhythm follow with three selections that perfectly capture their unique style. Combining jazz rhythms, close harmonies, and inventive arrangements, they perform “Rhythm,” “Shoutin’ in the Amen Corner,” and “From Monday On.” Few groups blurred the boundaries between jazz and popular music as successfully as the Spirits of Rhythm, making them one of the hidden gems of the swing era.
Next come Cats & the Fiddle, one of the smoothest and most sophisticated harmony groups of their generation. Their performances of “Hush-A-Bye Love,” “Killin’ Jive,” and “When I Grow Too Old to Dream” showcase polished arrangements, effortless vocals, and the relaxed swing that made them favorites with audiences across the country.
The Basin Street Boys continue the journey with “Satchelmouth Baby,” “Summertime Gal,” and “Jumpin’ at the Jubilee.” Their energetic style bridges jazz, novelty songs, and rhythm & blues while reflecting the lively spirit of New Orleans and the swing era.
No survey of harmony groups would be complete without The Ravens, one of the pioneering vocal groups that helped pave the way for modern rhythm & blues and doo-wop. “Deep Purple,” “Some Day,” and “For You” highlight their rich bass vocals and sophisticated arrangements that would influence countless vocal groups during the 1950s.
Closing the hour are the Deep River Boys, whose international popularity and remarkable vocal precision earned them a long and successful career. “Wrapped Up in a Dream,” “My Guy’s Come Back,” and “Charge It to Daddy” demonstrate their polished performances and remarkable ability to move effortlessly between jazz, pop, and rhythm & blues.
Taken together, Hours One and Two form one of Blues Before Sunrise’s finest celebrations of vocal harmony. These recordings remind listeners that long before doo-wop, soul, and Motown, these pioneering groups were developing sophisticated vocal arrangements, inventive rhythms, and expressive performances that would influence nearly every vocal ensemble that followed.
For many listeners, these artists remain among the most overlooked performers in American music history. This Hep Harmony Blowout offers a welcome opportunity to rediscover their extraordinary talents while celebrating a style of music that continues to inspire singers nearly a century after these recordings were first made.
Playlist – Hour Two
Casey Jones – Jubilaires
Midnight Choo Choo to Alabama – Jubilaires
Let It Rain – Jubilaires
As Summer Turns to Fall – Jubilaires
Rhythm – Spirits of Rhythm
Shoutin’ in the Amen Corner – Spirits of Rhythm
From Monday On – Spirits of Rhythm
Hush-A-Bye Love – Cats & the Fiddle
Killin’ Jive – Cats & the Fiddle
When I Grow Too Old to Dream – Cats & the Fiddle
Satchelmouth Baby – Basin Street Boys
Summertime Gal – Basin Street Boys
Jumpin’ at the Jubilee – Basin Street Boys
Deep Purple – Ravens
Some Day – Ravens
For You – Ravens
Wrapped Up in a Dream – Deep River Boys
My Guy’s Come Back – Deep River Boys
Charge It to Daddy – Deep River Boys