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.
Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streamingworldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.
Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter
Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps
Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com
Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org
Big Mama Thornton is today’s featured artist.Born Willie Mae Thornton in
Ariton, Alabama o nDecember 11, 1926, Thornton was a blues and R&G singer
and songwiter. She was the first to record Leiber and Stoller’s “Hound Dog”,
in 1952, which was written for her and became her biggest hit, staying seven weeks
at number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1953. According to Maureen Mahon,
a music professor at New York University, “the song is seen as an important
beginning of rock-and-roll, especially in its use of the guitar as the key instrument”.
Thornton’s other recordings include the original version of “Ball and Chain”,
which she wrote.
BIG MAMA THORNTON RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Bullfrog Hop Big Bob Kornegay Dot Records 1956
Everytime I Think Of You
Big Mama Thornton
Peacock Records 1952
I Smell A Rat
Young Jessie
Modern Records 1954
Recorded within weeks of Thornton’s less successful
version,”Rat” became Young Jessie’s biggest hit.
The Things That I Used to Do Guitar Slim Specialty Records 1954
I Want A Roof Over My Head Louis Jordan Decca Records 1950
Night Train Louis Prima The Wildest! 1956
Flying Home Ella Fitzgerald Lullabies Of Birdland 1945
The Fat Man Fats Domino Imperial Records 1949
Caravan Dirty Dozen Brass Band My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now 1984
Empty Bed Blues LaVern Baker …ings Bessie Smith 1958
Route 66 (NatO King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1946
Twilight Time Bloodest Saxophone Swing to Bop 2010
Shorty’s Got To Go Lucky Millinder Decca Records 1945
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby Taj Mahal Savoy 2023
I Can’t Face The Music Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1952
Stormy Monday Count Basie Orchestra Basie Swings the Blues 2023
Just Like A Dog, Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Big Mama Thornton
Peacock Records 1957
Hound Dog
Big Mama Thornton with Kansas City Bill & His Orchestra
Peacock Records 1952
Mr. Hound Dog’s In Town
Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
King Records 1953
Roy Brown’s reply to “Hound Dog.”
My Man Called Me
Heather Crosse
Groovin’ at the Crosse Roads 2015
Written by Don Robey and Joseph Scott, “My Man”
was first recorded by Thornton in 1957.
Down Yonder Buddy Johnson Decca Records 1949
Stop That Dancing Up There
Harry ‘The Hipster’ Gibson
Boogie Woogie In Blue 1944
Eyes Like A Cat Little Charlie & The Nightcats All The Way Crazy 1986
The Hustle Is On T-Bone Walker Imperial Records 1950
Peace In The Valley Sister Rosetta Tharpe Decca Records 1952
Get On The Right Track Baby Ray Charles Yes Indeed! 1958
Sunday Mornin’ Duke Robillard Guitar Groove A Rama 2006
Orange Colored Sky Natalie Cole Unforgettable: With Love 2008
Mend Your Ways Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1953
We’re Gonna Jump For Joy Big Joe Turner Atlantic Records 1958
Weepin’ & Cryin’ Tommy Brown Regent Records 1951
Ball N’ Chain
Big Mama Thornton
Arhoolie Records 1968
Rag Mop Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers Specialty Records 1950
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005
WRFG Route 66 