WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B blended
together, often in the same song. The focus is on the the Jump Blues and
Early Rock’n’Roll Eras (1940s to mid-1950s) and on how those styles
and artists have evolved over the years.
Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on Atlanta’s
WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is streaming
worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.
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Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org
WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
New Okie Dokie Stomp
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
The Blues Ain’t Nothin’ 1972
Lies, Lies, Lies Annisteen Allen Federal Records 1951
Every Day I Have the Blues
Count Basie & Joe Williams
Count Basie Swings & Joe Williams Sings 1956
I’ve Got A Feelin’ Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1952
Love Me Or Leave Me Billie Holiday Lady Sings The Blues 1956
Flying Home No 2 Lionel Hampton Decca Records 1943
Good Rockin’ Man Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1951
Lady Be Good Taj Mahal Savoy 2023
Just Like Two Drops of Water Wynonie Harris King Records 1951
Strange Things Happening Every Day
Tracy Nelson
Life Don’t Miss Nobody 2023
I Believe To My Soul Van Morrison It’s Too Late To Stop Now 1974
Moanin’
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
Blues Guitar Virtuoso – Live in Europe 1995
This Little Girl Of Mine Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1955
Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying
Jimmy “T99” Nelson
Rockin’ And Shoutin’ The Blues 1999
All Night Long Aretha Franklin Aretha 1961
8:00 A.M. – JIMMY WITHERSPOON
James’s “Jimmy” Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas on August 8, 1920.
His father was a railroad worker who sang in local choirs, and his mother was an
avid piano player. Witherspoon first attracted attention singing in Calcutta, India,
with Teddy Weatherford’s band, which made regular radio broadcasts over the
US Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II.
Hard Working Man Blues
Jay McShann & His Jazz-Men w/ Jimmy Witherspoon
Philo Records 1945
Jimmy Witherspoon made his first records with Jay McShann’s band in 1945
No Rollin Blues Jimmy Witherspoon Moden Records 1949
Witherspoon’s third national hit, “No Rollin’ Blues” was on the Billboard R&B Chart
for 10 weeks, peaking at number four.
Some Of My Best Friends Are the Blues Shirley Horn Travelin’ Light 1965
Witherspoon was the first artist to record Al Byron and Woody Harris’s
“Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues.” The song was the title track on
an album Witherspoon recorded in Sweden in 1964
that was released by Prestige Records.
Rain Is Such a Lonesome Sound
Freddie Cole
Waiter, Ask the Man to Play the Blues 1960
Composed by Witherspoon and first released on his
“Goin’ to Kansas City Blues” album in 1957.
Roll ‘Em Pete Jimmy Witherspoon At the Renaissance 1960
After a dry patch in the late 1950s, Witherspoon returned to prominence
with the release of his “At the Renaissance” live album in 1960.
Jerry Mulligan and Ben Webster were the saxophonists on this set.
Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do
Wilber De Paris & Jimmy Witherspoon
New Orleans Blues 1957
‘Spoon’s 1949 recording of “Tain’t Nobody’s Business” with Jay McShann
was his first hit. He recorded his “signature” tune many times including
this 1957 version with swing and Dixieland trombonist Wilber De Paris.
JIMMY WITHERSPOON RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Encycopedia of Arkansas
Buzz Me Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1946
Dinah Bloodest Saxophone feat. Crystal Thomas Good Morning 2023
I’ll Never Be Free Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1950
I Won’t Cry Any More Charles Brown Just A Lucky So And So 1994
Oop-Pop-A-Da Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra RCA Victor 1948
Oh Babe Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1950
That Old Black Magic Louis Prima & Keely Smith Capitol Records 1958
Hey Naughty Papa Sarah Vaughan Mercury Records 1955
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005
WRFG Route 66 