WRFG Route 66

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast February 18, 2024

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B blended together,
often in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the Jump Blues Era
of the 1940s which blended into the early part of the Rock & Roll Era of the 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

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Nervous Boogie Paul Gayten Creole Gal 1957
Flatfoot Sam TV Slim & His Heartbreakers Argo Records 1957
Nervous Man Nervous Big Jay McNeely Federal Records 1953

CC Rider
Mitch Woods w/ Van Morrison & Taj Mahal
Friends Along The Way 2017

Queen Bee Blues Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson King Records 1950

Please Send Me Someone To Love
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1950

Birmingham Boogie Hot Lips Page Savoy Records 1949
Birmingham Bounce Lionel Hampton Decca Records 1950
Stars Fell On Alabama Billie Holiday Songs for Distingue Lovers 1958
I Left A Good Deal In Mobile Joe Liggins Exclusive Records 1945
Before We Call It A Day Jennifer Porter Yes, I Do 2024
I Want A Little Girl T-Bone Walker Black & White Records 1948
Rose Mary Fats Domino Imperial Records 1953

In a Mellow Tone
The Diva Jazz Orchestra
“30” (Live at Dizzy’s Club) 2024

I’m Just A Lucky So And So Tony Bennett …Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool 1999

Featuring Ruth Brown, Linda Hopkins, & Dancers

If any Route 66 artist deserves a two week celebration, it’s Ruth Brown.
Click here to learn more about the Queen of R&B.

Shine On (Big Bright Moon, Shine On)
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1951

I’ll Get Along Somehow – Parts 1 & 2
Ruth Brown w/ The Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Atlantic Records 1949

Teardrops From My Eyes
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1951

Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Ruth Brown & B.B. King
The Blues Summit Concert 1993

I Wanna Hug Ya Kiss Ya Squeeze Ya
Big Rhythm Combo
Too Small To Dance 1997

It Had To Be You Ray Charles The Genius 1959
Groovin’ Coleman Hawkins Soul 1958
Blues For My Baby Billy Wright Savoy Records 1949
Last Laugh Blues Little Esther & Little Willie Federal Records 1952
Long Distance Operator Roomful Of Blues Hot Little Mama 1981

5-10-15 Hours
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Record 1952

Body And Soul & If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ On It
Original Cast featuring Ruth Brown
Black And Blue (Original Broadway Cast) 1989

(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast February 11, 2024

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 & 1950s) and on how these styles
and artists have evolved over the years.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Ruth Brown, is this week’s featured artist. Born Ruth Alston Weston
in Portsmouth, Virginia, on January 12, 1928, Ruth Brown was a singer-songwriter
and actress, sometimes referred to as the “Queen of R&B”. She was noted for bringing
a pop music style to R&B music in a series of 24 hit songs for Atlantic Records in the 1950s, such as “So Long”, “Teardrops from My Eyes” and “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean”.For these contributions, Atlantic became known as “the house that
Ruth built” alluding to the popular nickname for the old Yankee Stadium).

Following a resurgence that began in the mid-1970s and peaked in the 1980s,
Brown used her influence to press for musicians’ rights regarding royalties and
contracts; these efforts led to the founding of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
Her performances in the Broadway musical Black and Blue earned Brown a
Tony Award, and the original cast recording won a Grammy Award.
Brown was a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

RUTH BROWN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Rhythm & Blues Foundation
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2024

Moosey Bull Moose Jackson King Records 1949

I’ll Wait for You
Ruth Brown & The Eddie Condon Band
Atlantic Records 1951

Wild Wild Young Men
The Knickerbocker All-Stars w/ Darcel Wilson Love
Makes A Woman 2018

The Thrill Is Gone
The Manhattan Transfer w/ Ruth Brown & B.B. King
The Thrill Is Gone 1994

Li’L Dog Buddy Johnson Decca Records 1947
Someday Deacon John’s Jump Blues Music From the Film 2002
West Side Baby Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1948
Them There Eyes Varetta Dillard Savoy Records 1952
Walkin’ Blues Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1950
Walking The Blues Willie Dixon Checker Records 1955
The Right Kind Of Lovin’ Lucky Millinder King Records 1951
Seven Long Days Charles Brown Aladdin Records 1951
Twilight Time Bloodest Saxophone Swing to Bop 2010
Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-o-Dee Wynonie Harris King Records 1949
Caldonia Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Sings Louis Jordan 1973
D.B. Blues Lester Young Philo Records 1945
I’m An Errand Boy For Rhythm King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1945

*Illustrations of Ruth Brown creasted using an artificial intellenge graphis program. The are not under copyright.*

So Long
Ruth Brown & Eddie Condon’s NBC Televison Orchestra
Atlantic Records 1949

Teardrops from My Eyes
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1950

Chains of Love
Pinetop Perkins w/ Ruth Brown
Ladies Man 2004

Book Of Lies
Bettye LaVette
Blackbirds 2020

Blue Light Boogie Louis Jordan Decca Records 1950
Salt Peanuts Dizzy Gillespie Guild Records 1945
Fever Little Willie John King Records 1956
A Fool For You Ray Charles A Newport 1958
That’s Better For Me T-Bone Walker Black & White Records 1948
Connecticut Blues Delbert McClinton Outdated Emotion 2022

I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
Count Basie w/ Jimmy Witherspoon
Blues By Basie 1950

Black Coffee
Thad Jones, Mel Lewis w/ Ruth Brown
The Big Band Sound of… 1968

(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1952

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast February 4, 2024

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 these styles
and artists have evolved over the years.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Chuck Willis is our featured artist this week. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on
January 31, 1926, Harold “Chuck” Willis was an American blues, rhythm and blues,
and rock and roll singer and songwriter whose recording career spanned the jump
blues and rock and roll eras. His biggest hits, “C. C. Rider” (1957) and
“What Am I Living For” (1958), both reached No.1 on the Billboard R&B chart. He
was known as The King of the Stroll for his performance of the 1950s dance the stroll.

Surprisingly, Chuck Willis is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Willis is tied with Michigan’s MC5 for the second most nominations (six) without earning induction.

CHUCK WILLIS RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikepedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Spontaneous Lunacy
Marv Goldberg’s R&B Notebook

WRFG PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Mad Lad Chuck Berry Rockin’ at the Hops 1960
Love Don’t Love Nobody Roy Brown DeLuxe Records 1950
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1955
Mad Love Muddy Waters Chess Records 1953

I Want A Roof Over My Head
Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five
Decca Records 1950

One Mint Julep The Clovers Atlantic Records 1952
I Wonder Catherine Russell Alone Together 2019
Our Delight Dave Clark & Floyd McDaniel Blues Swingers 2003
My New Chick Doc Pomus Savoy Records 1947
Fat Daddy Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1953
Destination Moon Nat King Cole Capitol Records 1951

Strange Things Happening Every Day
Valerie June
I Am Everything (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2023

Train Blues
Roy Milton & His Solid Senders
Speciality Records 1948

Walkin’ With Sid Arnett Cobb Apollo Records 1947

Jelly Jelly
Count Basie Orchestra & Billy Eckstine
Basie/Eckstine Inc 1959

What Love Can Do Candye Kane Coming Out Swingin’ 2013

*All images of Chuck Willis produced using an Artificial Intellegence graphics program. They are not under copywrite.*

It’s Too Late (She’s Gone)
Chuck Willis
Atlantic Records 1956

Don’t Deceive Me
Chuck Willis
Okah Records 1953

What’s Your Name
Doug Sahm
Juke Box Music 1989

Betty and Dupree
Brownie McGhee
Blues 1955

Blues At Sundown Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1946
Money Blues Camille Howard Specialty Records 1951
Big Fine Girl Jimmy Witherspoon Modern Records 1949
52nd Street Theme Dizzy Gillespie RCA Victor 1947
He’s Funny That Way Billie Holiday Clef Records 1952

Don’t Cry Baby
Tony Bennett
Playing With My Friends – Bennett Sings The Blues 2001

3 O’clock Blues B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1951
Satellite Colin James Colin …And The Little Big Band 2004
Somebody Done Stole My Cherry Red Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson King Records 1949

Feel So Bad
Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra
Ray Sings Basie Swings 1973

Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes
Van Morrison
Accentuate The Positive 2023

Going To The River
Chuck Willis
Okeh Records 1953

C.C. Rider
Chuck Willis
Atlantic Records

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast January 28, 2024

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.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Jay McShann is this week’s featured artist. McShann led bands in Kansas City
that included Charlie Parker, Bernard Anderson, Walter Brown, and Ben Webster.

Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on January 12, 1916, James Columbus McShann
learned to play piano by watching his sister’s piano lessons and trying to practice
tunes he heard on the radio.

His piano style was heavily influenced by late-night broadcasts of pianist Earl Hines
from Chicago’s Grand Terrace Cafe: “When ‘Fatha’ (Hines) went off the air, I went to
bed”. McShann was a gifted vocalist, composer and band leader with a career
that spanned more than six decades, ending shortly before his death in 2006.

JAY McSHANN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikiepedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography of American Hisctorcal Recordings
National Endowment for the Arts

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2024

Song
Artist
Original Album of Label & Date

No Name Boogie
Boogie Woogie Jackson (aka Jay McShann)
Down Beat Records 1948

Get Me On Your Mind
Jay McShann Orchestra with Al Hibler
Decca Records 1943

Jumpin’ The Blues
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
American Music Texas Style 1999

Come On Over To My House
Jay McShann w/ Maria Muldaur & Duke Robillard
Still Jumpin’ The Blues 1999

Adam Bit The Apple Joe Turner Aladdin Records 1950
Old Devil Moon Robin McKelle Impressions of Ella 2023
Flyin’ Home Little Charlie & Organ Grinder Swing Skronky Tonk 2016
Boogie Woogie Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1951
Easy Living Little Jimmy Scott I Go Back Home 2016
Open The Door Richard Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1947
One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer Dennis Gruenling Rockin’ All Day 2012
Oh, Lady Be Good! Ella Fitzgerald Decca Records 1947
Two Years Of Torture Ray Charles The Genius 1959
As Long as I’m Moving Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1955
Straighten Up & Fly Right Lyle Lovett Smile 2003

They Raided The Joint
Helen Humes w/ Jay McShann
Let The Good Times Roll 1973

I Ain’t Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me)
Earl Hines
Okah Records 1929

Confessin’ the Blues
Jay McShann & His Orchestra
Decca Records 8559A 1941

Hootie Blues
Jay McShann & His Orchestra featuring Charlie Parker
Decca Records 8559B 1941

Roll ‘Em C Jam Blues
Eddie Vinson & Jay McShann
Jumpin’ The Blues 1969

Evil Gal Blues Lionel Hampton w/ Dinah Washington Keynote Recordings 1944
The Calloway Boogie Cab Calloway Columbia Records 1947
St. Thomas Count Basie & His Orchestra Basie’s Beat 1967
Woke Up This Morning (My Baby She Was Gone) B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1953

Cupid’s Boogie
Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1950

A Virus Called the Blues Charles Brown & Dr. John All My Life 1990

Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Jimmy Witherspoon w/ the Jay McShann Orchestra
Supreme Records 1949

King Size Papa
Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends (Jay McShann)
Capitol Records 1948

Hands Off
Jay McShann’s Orchestra w/ Priscilla Bowman
Vee Jay Records 1955

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast January 21, 2024

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.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

*Illustrations of Buddy Johnson were created using an artificial intellegence graphics program*

Buddy Johnson is today’s featured artist. Born Woodrow Wilson Johnson
in Darlington, South Carolina on January 10, 1915, Johnson, a classically trained
pianist, led one of the most successful bands of the jump blues era. He made his
first records in the late 1930s and struck it big with “Let’s Beat Out Some Love,”
his first national R&B hit in 1943.

Together with his sister, Ella, Johnson scored 14 national R&B hits between
1943 and 1957 and wrote several songs that have become jazz standards
including “Since I Fell for You” and “Fine Brown Frame.”

BUDDY JOHNSON RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography of American Historical Recordings

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2024

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Rock On
Sax Gordon
Extreme Sax! 2021

I Don’t Want Nobody (To Have My Love But You)
Buddy & Ella Johnson
Mercury Records 1956

Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?
Count Basie & His Orchestra
RCA Victor 1949

Fine Brown Frame
Etta Jones
…Sings the Songs of Buddy Johnson 1998

Oh Babe! Wynonie Harris King Records 1950
Beef Stew Hal Singer Sextet Savoy Records 1949
Rain Down Rain Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1952
Mary Jo The Four Blazes United Records 1952
Call It Stormy Monday Nancy Wilson Something Wonderful 1960
Work Song Cannonball Adderley Quintet Them Dirty Blues 1960
My Gal’s A Jockey Big Joe Turner National Records 1946
That’s The Gal For Me Ivory Joe Hunter King Records 1949
Lady Be Good Taj Mahal Savoy 2023
My Time Is Expensive Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1949
Ain’t It A Crime Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends Capitol Records 1950
That Old Black Magic Louis Prima & Keely Smith Capitol Records 1958

You Had Better Change Your Ways
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra
Decca Records 1948

Let’s Beat Out Some Love
Buddy Johnson & His Band
Decca Records 1942

Bring It Home to Me
Kid Ramos w/ Janiva Magness
West Coast House Party 2000

Baby Don’t You Cry
Johnny Adams
One Foot in the Blues 1996

38th Street Blues B.B. King Spotlight On Lucille 1991
Confession Blues The Maxin Trio (Ray Charles) Down Beat Records 1949
God Bless The Child Billie Holiday Lady Sings The Blues 1956
Life Is So Peculiar Louis Jordan & Louis Armstrong Decca Records 1951

I Want A Big Butter And Egg Man
Roland Hanna / Carrie Smith
Black And Blue 1989 Original Broadway Cast) 1991

What A Wonderful World Harpdog Brown harpdogbrown.com 2021
Kansas City Lou Rawls Black & Blue 1963
Old Mother Hubbard Ella Fitzgerald Decca Records 1949

Since I Fell for You
Van Morrison
It’s Too Late to Stop Now…Volume IV 1973

That’s the Stuff You Gotta Watch
Cecil Gant
Gilt Edge Records 1947

Hittin’ On Me
Buddy & Ella Johnson
Mercury Records 1953

A Pretty Girl (A Cadillac and Some Money)
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra
Mercury Records 1954

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast January 14, 2024

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.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Two featured artists with late December birthdays for your pleasure today:

Bandleader, singer, songwriter, record producer, talent scout disc jockey,
Congressional aide, unsuccessful Congressional candidate, resterant owner,
and minister Johnny Otis was born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes in Vallejo,
California on December 28, 1928.

R&B and blues singer “Little” Esther Phillips was born Esther Mae Phillips
in Galveston, Texas on December, 23, 1935. Otis discovered Phillips when
she sang in a talent show when she was just 13-years-old. Together, they
had six national Top 10 R&B hits in 1950.

JOHNNY OTIS RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

ESTHER PHILLIPS RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Blues Foundation

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

C-Jam Blues Lynn Hope Aladdin Records 1953

Turn The Lamps Down Low
Little Esther Phillips w/ Little Willie Littlefield
Federal Records 1953

I’m A Bad Girl
Candye Kane
Super Hero 2009

Aged & Mellow
Little Esther Phillips
Federal Records 1952

Shame, Shame, Shame Duke Robillard Six Strings Of Steel 2023
This Little Girl Of Mine Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1955
Cecil Boogie Cecil Gant Gilt-Edge Records 1945
Struttin’ With Some BBQ Patti Austin Ella and Louis 2017
Gate Walks To Board Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Alright Again 1981
Got Nobody To Love Terry Timmons & Memphis Slim RCA Victor 1951
Pool Playing Blues Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1947
Deacon Jones Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1944
Deacon’s Hop Big Jay McNeely Savoy Records 1948
The Deacon Moves In Little Esther Phillips Federal Records 1951

T-Bone Shuffle
The Amos Garrett Doug Sahm Gene Taylor Band
Live in Japan 1991

Cry Me A River
The Johnny Otis Show featuring Esther Phillips
RegeLive at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1970

Call Operator 210
Johnny Otis & His Orchestra featuring Mel Walker
Savoy Records 1952

I Ain’t No Fool Either
Big Mama Thornton
Peacock Records 1953

Signifyin’ Monkey
Oscar Brown Jr.
Sin & Soul …And Then Some 1961

Dolphin’s Theme Red Callender Recorded in Hollywood Records 1951
Robbin’s Nest Robin McKelle Impressions of Ella 2023
Please Be Kind Little Jimmy Scott Savoy Records 1956
M Squad Count Basie Orchestra Late Night Basie 2023
Ashes On My Pillow Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson King Records 1949
New Orleans Shuffle Roomful Of Blues Hot Little Mama 1981
Fore Day In The Morning Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1948
Rose Mary Fats Domino Imperial Records 1953
Gabbin’ Blues Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1952

I Love My Baby
Little Richard w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Peacock Records 1957

Gangster of Love
Johnny “Guitar” Watson
King Records 1963

Deceiving Blues
Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ the Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1950

Willie & The Hand Jive
The Johnny Otis Show
Capitol Records 1958

(signoff)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast December 31, 2023

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.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

**Order Tickets Here – No Service Fees**

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2023

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Harlem Nocturne Oliver Sain & His Orchestra Bobbin Records 1962
Let The Good Times Roll Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1946
Evil Gal Blues Count Basie Orchestra feat. Ledisi Basie Swings the Blues 2023
Long Distance Operator Roomful Of Blues Hot Little Mama 1981
Hadacol Bounce Roy Byrd & His Blues Jumpers Mercury Records 1949
Empty Red Blues Linda Hopkins Me and Bessie 1976
Hot Special Bloodest Saxophone /Big Jay McNeely Blow Blow All Night Long 2017
The Huckle-Buck Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Speciality Records 1949
Blues For My Baby Billy Wright Savoy Records 1949
I Don’t Want Your Money Honey Frantic Fay Thomas Exclusive Records 1949
Good Morning Judge Buster Poindexter Buster Poindexter 1987

Rocket 88 Rocket 88 (unofficial release) 1981
Recorded live at the Rotation Club in Hanpver, West Germany
Hal Singer on tenor, Ian Steart on piano, & Charlie Watts on drums

One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1955
Killer Joe Taj Mahal Savoy 2023

It’s December 31 and time for our end-of-the-year retrospective.
And, since this is Route 66, this year’s retrospective is for 1953.
Here are the nomber one R&B songs of ’53 in the order they first
hit the top of the national R&B chart.

Five Long Years Eddie Boyd Job Records 1952
I Don’t Know Willie Mabon & Combo Chess Records 1952
Baby Don’t Do It The 5 Royales Apollo Records 3426 1953
(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1952
I’m Mad Willie Mabon Chess Records 1953
Hound Dog Big Mama Thornton Peacock Records 1952
Help Me Somebody The 5 Royales Apollo Records 1953
Please Love Me B.B. King & Orchestra R.P.M. Records 1953
The Clock Johnny Ace Duke Records 1953
Crying in the Chapel The Orioles Jubilee Records 1953
Shake A Hand Faye Adams Herald Records 1953
Money Honey Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters Atlanta Records 1953
Honey Hush Big Joe Turner Atlanta Records

Click here to learn more about the Billboard number one R&B chart for 1953

Blues Waltz Ray Charles At Newport 1958
Unchain My Heart Wayne Riker Alphabetical Blues Bash, Vol. 2 2023
Happy New Year, Baby Johnny Otis Excelsior Records 1947

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast December 24, 2023

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.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Cab Calloway is today’s featured artist. Born Caball Calloway, III, in Rochester,
New York, on December 25, 1907, Calloway was a regular performer at the
Cotton Club in Harlem, where he became a popular vocalist of the swing era.
His niche of mixing jazz and vaudeville won him acclaim during a career
that spanned over 65 years.

Calloway had several hit records in the 1930s and 1940s, becoming
the first African-American musician to sell one million copies of a single record.

CAB CALLOWAY RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia,org
Discography @ discogs.com
Cab Calloway’s Hepster’s Dictionary

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2023

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Harlem Holiday
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
Brunswick Records 1932

Have You Ever Met That Funny Reefer Man
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
Brunswick Records 1932

Do You Wanna Jump Children
Cab Calloway w/ Chu Berry
Vocalion Records 1938

C’mon With The C’mon
Colin James & The Little Big Band
Little Big Band II 1998

The Big Question Percy Mayfield Specialty Records 1952
That’s The Stuff You Gotta Watch Buddy & Ella Johnson Decca Records 1944
True Blue B.B. King & Calvin Owens True Blue 1993
Ain’t Nobody’s Business Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan Decca Records 1950
Shake Rattle And Roll Van Morrison Accentuate The Positive 2023
Don’t Wait Too Long Paul Carrack Don’t Wait Too Long 2023
I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) Little Jimmy Scott Over the Rainbow 2001

Minnie the Moocher
Cab Calloway & The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers (soundtrack) 1980

Kickin’ The Gong Around
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Vocalion Records 1932

Viper’s Drag
Allen Toussaint
American Tunes 2016

*Illustrations of Cab Calloway & 1940s Hipster Santa & His Shifty Eves*
*created using an artificial intellenge graphics program.*

IT’S CHRISTMAS!

Gettin in the mood (for Christmas)
The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Dig That Crazy Christmas 2005

Merry Christmas Baby Charles Brown Aladdin Records 1956
Christmas Comes But Once A Year Amos Milburn King Records 1960

Far Away Blues (Christmas Blues)
Johnny Otis w/ Little Esther & Mel Walker
Savoy Records

Jingle Jangle Jump Dexter Gordon Savy Records 1952
Christmas In My Heart Ray Charles The Spirit Of Christmas 1985

I Want a Present for Christmas
Dinah Washington
Mercury Records 1958

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Etta James
12 Songs of Christmas 1998

Jingle Bells Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Jingle Bell Swing 1962
Christmas Spirit Julia Lee Capitol Americana Records 1947
Let It Snow Roomful Of Blues Roomful Of Christmas 1997
The Christmas Song (Nat) King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1946
White Chrismas Sister Rosetta Tharpe Decca Records 1948

Good Swing Wenceslas
The Count Basie Orchestra
A Very Basie Christmas 2015

Winter Wonderland
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Winter Wonderland 2014

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast December 17, 2023

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.

Subscribe to our podcast @ MixCloud.Com

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Alto saxophonist, songwriter, and blues shouter Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson is
today’s featured artist. Born Edward L. Vinson Jr. On December 18, 1917 in
Houston, Texas, Vinson was a member of the horn section in Milton Larkin’s
orchestra, which he joined in the late 1930s. At various times, he sat next to
Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, and Tom Archia, while other members of the band
included Cedric Haywood and Wild Bill Davis. After exiting Larkin’s employment
in 1941, Vinson picked up a few vocal tricks while on tour with bluesman
Big Bill Broonzy. He then moved to New York and joined the Cootie Williams
Orchestra from 1942 to 1945, recording such tunes as “Cherry Red”. Vinson struck
out on his own in 1945, forming his own large band, signing with Mercury Records,
and enjoying a double-sided hit in 1947 with his R&B chart-topper
“Old Maid Boogie”, and the song that would prove to be his signature number,
“Kidney Stew Blues” – wikipedia

EDDIE “CLEANHEAD” VINSON RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Texas State Historical Association

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2023

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Crossfire (Part 1) Sil “Mr. Ping Pong” Austin Jubilee Records 1955

(Cherry) Red Blues
Cootie Williams & His Orchestra w/ Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson
Hit Records 1944

Gonna Send You Back to Where I Got You From
Van Morrison
The Prophet Speaks 2018

Person To Person
Mildred Anderson
Person to Person 1960

Smack Dab In The Middle Ella Mae Morse Capitol Records 1955
Greyhound Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1952
I Love You So Pee Wee Crayton Modern Records 1949
Chicken Shack Eddie Tigner Route 66 2001

Them There Eyes
Roy Milton & his Solid Senders
Roy Milton Records 1947

Lake Charles Boogie Nellie Lutcher Capitol Records 1947
That’s A Pretty Good Love Big Maybelle Savoy Records 1956
All She Wants to Do Is Rock Wynonie Harris King Records 1949

The House Near The Railroad Tracks
Tommy Brown
Regent Records 1949

Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air
Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Marie Knight w/ the Sam Price Trio
Decca Records 1948

It’s Later Than You Think Roomful Of Blues Let’s Have A Party 1979

You Ain’t Goin’ To Heaven No How
Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers
Exclusive Records 1946

Woojamacooja Helen Humes Dootone Records 1955

*All images created using an artificial intellenge graphics program.*

Cleanhead’s Blues
The Johnny Otis Show w/Eddie Cleanhead Vinson
Live At Monterey! 1970

Please Send Me Someone To Love
Etta James & Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson
Blues In The Night, Vol. 1: The Early Show 1986

Juice Head Baby
Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson w/ T-Bone Walker & Jay McShann
Kidney Stew Is Fine 1969

Rock Candy
Count Basie Orchestra & George Benson
Basie Swings the Blues 2023

I Wonder Catherine Russell Alone Together 2019
Lonesome & Blue Annie Laurie Okeh Records 1952

SPOTLIGHT ON LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT

Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool
Lionel Hampton w/ Little Jimmy Scott
Decca Records 1950

Sycamore Trees
Little Jimmy Scott
Twin Peaks: Firewalk With Me Soundtrack 1991

James Victor Scott, known professionally as Little Jimmy Scott or Jimmy Scott,
was a jazz vocalist known for his high natural contralto voice and his sensitivity
on ballads and love songs. After success in the 1940s and 1950s, Scott’s career
faltered in the early 1960s. He eventually left the music business and moved back
home to Cleveland, not returning to the stage until 1989. Scott’s performance of “Sycamore Trees” on the Twin Peaks: Firewalk with Me soundtrack began a
resurgance in his career which continued until shortly before his death in 2014.

LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discog.com
LGBTQ Profile @ them.com
Obituary in Washington Post

I’m Still in Love with You
Jimmie Vaughan
Baby, Please Come Home 2019

Going To The River Fats Domino Imperial Records 1952

Caldonia
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Sings Louis Jordan 1973

Kidney Stew Blues
Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson
Mercury Records 1947

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist and Podcast December 10, 2023

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.

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

*Illustrations of Big Mama Thornton in the style of Norman Rockwell created using an AI graphics program.*

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