WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast December 7, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today, we celebrate December heavenly birthdays.

Pee Wee Crayton was born Connie Curtis Crayton in Rockdale, Texas, on December
18, 1914. He moved to Oakland, California, in 1935 and learned the basics of the electric guitar from T-Bone Walker. Crayton developed his own style and recorded numerous vocal and instrumental numbers from the mid-1940s until shortly before
his death in 1985.

PEE WEE CRAYTON RESOURCES
biography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com

Born in Chicago on December 1, 1933, and raised on gospel, jazz, jump, and blues,
Louis Allen Rawls sold more than 40 million records and won three Grammys for
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
LOU RAWLS RESOURCES
biography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Shipyard Social Function Lucky Millinder Decca Records 1945

Do Unto Others
Pee Wee Crayton
Imperial Records 1956

My Idea About You
Pee Wee Crayton
Imperial Records 1955

Fiddle De Dee
Kid Ramos w/ Lynwood Slim
Kid Ramos 1999

I’m Waiting For My Man Jazzified The Velvet Undergrounds 2025
Pink Champagne Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers Specialty Records 1950

I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water
Lou Rawls
Black & Blue 1963

In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down
Lou Rawls & Les McCann Ltd
Stormy Monday 1962

Postman Blues Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1946
Christmas Date Boogie Big Joe Turner Down Beat Records 1948
The Things That I Used to Do Guitar Slim Specialty Records 1954
Christmas Rain Ben Levin Still Here 2021
VIP Boogie/Jam with Sam Planet D Nonet Blues to Be There… 2023
Along About Midnight Knickerbocker All-Stars Open Mic At The Knick 2014
After Hours Joint Jimmy Coe States Records 1953
Dont Worry About Me Helen Humes Songs I Like to Sing! 1961
Good Rockin’ Daddy Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025

Texas Hop
Pee Wee Crayton
Modern Records 1948

I Love You So
Pee Wee Crayton
Modern Records 1949

Let Me Go Home Whiskey Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1952
Let’s Do It Ledisi For Dinah 2025
Flying Saucer The Solid Senders Specialty Records 1952

Southside Blues – Tobacco Road (Medley)
Lou Rawls w/ The Tommy Stroke Quartet
Live! 1966

The Christmas Song
Lou Rawls
Christmas Is The Time 1993

All For The Love Of Lil Louis Jordan Decca Records 1948
A-Tisket, A-Tasket Ella Fitzgerald Decca Records 1938
Winter Wonderland Count Basie Orchestra A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas! 2015
What’d I Say Ray Charles In Person 1959
Let the Good Times Roll Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025
Slippin’ & Slidin’ (Peepin’ & Hidin’) Little Richard Specialty Records 1956

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 30, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.

Today, we wrap up our survey of Aladdin Records, the top R&B label
from 1948 to 1952. On our live show, we only made it through 1951,
but as a special treat our podcast goes through 1952.

You’ll find the podcast at the bottom of this post.

ALADDIN RECORDS RESOURCES
history @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com
Spontaneous Lunacy – Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records Story – Both Sides Now


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Head Hunter Johnny Otis Orchestra Savoy Records 1949
Mop-Mop Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1944
West Side Baby Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1948
T-Bone Shuffle T-Bone Walker Capitol Records 1947
Later For You Baby Guitar Slim Specialty Records 1954
Fore Day In The Morning Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1948
Well Oh Well Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Jet Propulsion Illinois Jacquet RCA Victor 1948
Shout the Boogie Candice Ivory New Southern Vintage 2025
Whirly Bird Count Basie The Atomic Mr. Basie 1957
Makin’ Whoopee Ray Charles Live in Concert 1964
Them There Eyes Roy Milton Roy Milton Records 1947
Caravan Ledisi For Dinah 2025
Orange Colored Sky Nat King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1950
Take It And Git Andy Kirk & His Clouds of Joy Decca Records 1942
After You’ve Gone Linda Hopkins Me and Bessie 1976

SURVEY: ALADDIN RECORDS 1949 TO 1951

Kicks (Scotty Can Blow)
Jay McShann & His Band
Aladdin Records 1949

Trouble Blues
Charles Brown Trio
Aladdin Records 1949

St James Infirmary Blues
Saunders King & Orchestra
Aladdin Records 1949

Roomin’ House Boogie
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1949

Nightmare Blues
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Aladdin Records 1949

Be-Bop Daddy
Lil Green
Aladdin Records 1949

My Baby’s Gone
Charles Brown
Aladdin Records 1950

Safronia B
Calvin Boze
Aladdin Records 1950

Just Cooling
Lester Young
Aladdin Records 1950

Shotgun Blues
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Aladdin Records 1950

Sax Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn & His Aladdin Chickenshackers
Aladdin Records 1950

Get High
La Melle Prince
Aladdin Records 1950

Back Breaking Blues
Big Joe Turner
Aladdin Records 1950

Telephone (Operator) Blues
Floyd Dixon & Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers
Aladdin Records ‎ 1950

I Got Loaded
Peppermint Harris
Aladdin Records 1951

I’ll Always Be In Love With You
Charles Brown
Aladdin Records 1951

Rocky Mountain Blues
Billie Holiday w/ the Tiny Grimes Sextet
Aladdin Records 1951

Detour Ahead
Billie Holiday w/ the Tiny Grimes Sextet
Aladdin Records 1951

(sign off)

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








WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 23, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today we survey the early years of Aladdin Records, a small independent west coast label that turned out some of the biggest jump blues and R&B hits of the late 1940s
and early 50s. Aladdin Records was the brainchild of two brother Eddie and
Leo Mesner, who owned the Philharmonic Music Shop in Los Angeles.
When they started their company in 1945, they originally called it Philo Records
after their shop, but had to change the name for legal reasons in early 1946.

It seems the Mesner brothers could do no wrong that first year, hitting it out of the
park with release after release, but their batting average went down in 1946 and
1947, partly because they lost, Helen Humes, Johnny Moore and Charles Brown.

Amos Milburn and others brought the label out of the doldrums in
1948 with hits like “Chicken Shack Boogie.”

ALADDIN RECORDS RESOURCES
history @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com
Spontaneous Lunacy – Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records Story – Both Sides Now


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Real Gone Sam Taylor Tease! The Beat of Burlesque 1956
Slippin’ And Slidin’ Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025

Ain’t That Good News
Duces of Rhythm & Tempo Toppers / Little Richard
Peacock Records 1953

Blind Love B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1953

She’s The No-Sleepin’est Woman
Planet D Nonet
Blowin’ Away The Blues, Vol 2 2015

You’ve Got What It Takes Ledisi w/ Gregory Porter For Dinah 2025
Smack Dab In The Middle Count Basie w/ Joe Williams Clef Records 1956

Walk That Walk Daddy-O
Jewel Brown w/ Bloodest Saxophone
Roller Coaster Boogie 2015

I Left A Good Deal In Mobile Joe Liggins Exclusive Records 1945
Ain’t That Just Like A Woman Louis Jordan Decca Records 1946
(They Call It) Stormy Monday Lou Rawls Stormy Monday 1962
God Bless The Child Billie Holiday Lady Sings The Blues 1956
Bye Bye Young Men Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1955
Drivin’ And Jivin’ (Flyin’ Saucer Boogie) Tiny Grimes Gotham Records 1949
Milton’s Boogie Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Juke Box Records 1946

HIGHLIGHTS: ALADDIN RECORDS 1946-1948

New Lester Leaps In
Lester Young & His Band
Aladdin Records 1946

Disgusted
Jo-Jo Adams
Aladdin Records 1946

Down The Road Apiece
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1946

Katie May Blues
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Aladdin Records 1946

A Jacquet For Jack The Bellboy
Illinois Jacquet
Aladdin Records 1947

How Could You
Lonnie Johnson
Aladdin Records 1947

Gatemouth Boogie
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Aladdin Records 1947

Hard Ridin’ Mama
Wynonie Harris
Aladdin Records 1947

Blow Illinois Blow
Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars
Aladdin Records 1948

Bean-A Re-Bop
Coleman Hawkins All Stars
Aladdin Records 1948

Washboard Blues
Crown Prince Waterford
Aladdin Records 1948

Blowin’ Red’s Top
Gene Ammons Quintet
Aladdin Records 1948

Morning Glory
Big Joe Turner
Aladdin Records 1948

Chicken Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

It Took a Long Long Time
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

Get Yourself Another Fool
Charles Brown Trio
Alladin Records 1948

Everybody Eats When They Come to My House
Cab Calloway
Columbia Records 1948

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 16, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


In hour two of today’s show, we bring you some highlights from the catalog of
Philo Records, a groundbreaking west coast independent label that was founded
in 1945 by Eddie and Leo Messner.

The Mesner brothers owned a record store across the street from Philharmonic Hall
in Los Angeles called the Philharmonic Music Store and they shorted the name
to Philo for their new label.

When the U.S. Patent Office refused to let them use the name because it was
too close to Philco Recording Services, the brothers changed the name
to Aladdin Records.

All of the Philo titles were re-released by Aladdin in 1946.

PHILO RECORDS RESOURCES
Overview @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
The Aladdin Records Story @ bsnpubs.com
Philo/Aladdin Singles Discography & bsnpubs.com


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

All Night Long Joe Houston Blows All Night Long 1956
Early in the Morning Catherine Russell Alone Together 2019
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore Piano Red In Concert 1956
The C-Jam Blues Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra RCA Victor 1942
Thunderbird Hal Paige & The Whalers J & S Records 1957
Candy Candye Kane Swango 1998
That’s Enough Candye Kane & Sue Palmer One Night In Belgium 2011
Save The Bones For Henry Jones Lou Rawls & Ray Charles Just Between Us 1988
Caldonia Jerry Granelli w/ Robben Ford & Bill Frisell Dance Hall 2017
Strange Things Happening Percy Mayfield Specialty Records 1950
Quicksand The Duke Robillard Band Low Down & Tore up 2011
I’ve Got A Feelin’ Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Let The Good Times Roll Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1946
(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch & Grab It Julia Lee Capitol… 1947
Money Honey John Hammond Ready For Love 2003

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PHILO RECORDS CATALOG – 1945

Indiana
Lester Young, Nat King Cole, & Red Callender
Philo Album #A-1 1945

Flying Home Pt’s 1 & 2
Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars
Philo Records 1945

Around The Clock Parts 1 & 2
Wynonie Harris w/ Johnny Otis
Philo Records 1945

Be Baba Leba
Helen Humes w/ Bill Doggett Octet
Philo Records 1945

Unlucky Woman
Helen Humes w/ Bill Doggett Octet
Philo Records 1945

McShann’s Boogie Blues
Jay McShann Trio
Philo Records 1945

Walkin’ Blues
Jay McShann & His Jazz Men
Philo Records 1945

Baby Don’t You Cry
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers w/ Charles Brown
Philo Records 1945

Blazer’s Boogie
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers w/ Charles Brown
Philo Records 1945

Post War Future Blues
Cousin Joe w/ Leonard Feather’s Heptet
Philo Records 1945

Mop Mop
Howard McGhee & Band
Philo Records 1945

These Foolish Things
Lester Young & His Band
Philo Records 1945

Jumpin’ At Mesners
Lester Young & His Band
Philo Records 1945

(sign off)

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


WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 8, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


This week we count down the Top 10 R&B songs in the jazz and blues clubs on
Central Avenue in Los Angeles during the first week of November 1949.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2025
Song
Artist
Original album or label & date

Early Bird Bill Doggett King Records 1945

10-Blues For My Baby
Billy Wright w/ the Howard Collander
Orchestra Savoy Records 1949

9-Don’t Put Me Down
Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
Specialty Records 1949

8-Boogie At Midnight
Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
DeLuxe Records 1949

7-It’s Midnight (No Place To Go)
Little Willie Littlefield
Modern Records 1949

6-Empty Arms Blues
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1949

5-Waking Up Baby
Roy Milton
Specialty Records 1949

4-All She Wants to Do Is Rock
Wynonie Harris
King Records 1949

3-Broken Hearted
Floyd Dixon
Supreme Records 1949

2-Sneakin’ Around
Rudy Render
Decca Records 1949

1-Saturday Night Fish Fry
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1949

Dirty People Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Caldonia Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Sings Louis Jordan 1973
Papa Ain’t Salty Doug Sahm …& Band 1973
Free And Easy Mind Jimmy “T-99” Nelson Chess Records 1955
Tobacco Road Lou Rawls Tobacco Road 1964
I Sold My Heart To The Junkman Etta Jones RCA 1947
Lady Be Good Joe Carrol & Dizzy Gillespie Dee Gee Records 1951
Big Jay Shuffle Big Jay McNeely Federal Records 1952
Convenience Store Party Bag James Harman & Gene Taylor …In Germany 2012
Kidney Stew Blues Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson Mercury Records 1947
I’m A Bad Bad Girl Little Esther Phillips Federal Records 1951
I Love You So Pee Wee Crayton Modern Records 1949
Alimony Blues T-Bone Walker Imperial Records 1951
Moanin’ Ray Charles w/ Count Basie Genius + Soul = Jazz 1961
The Masquerade Is Over Bette McLaurin Derby Records 1951
Oop-Pop-A-Da Three Bips & A Bop Blue Note Records 1947
Blue Turning Grey over You Catherine Russell Harlem on My Mind 2016
Is You Is, Or Is You Ain’t (My Baby) B.B. King Let The Good Times Roll… 1999
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005


PLAYLIST FOR THE PODCAST
Dirty People – Roomful Of Blues
Caldonia – Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Papa Ain’t Salty – Doug Sahm
Blues For My Baby – Billy Wright w/ the Howard Collander Orchestra
Don’t Put Me Down – Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
Boogie At Midnight – Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
It’s Midnight (No Place To Go) – Little Willie Littlefield
Empty Arms Blues – Amos Milburn
Waking Up Baby – Roy Milton
All She Wants to Do Is Rock – Wynonie Harris
Broken Hearted – Floyd Dixon
Sneakin’ Around – Rudy Render
Saturday Night Fish Fry – Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Lady Be Good – Joe Carrol & Dizzy Gillespie
Tag (You’re it) – Little Charlie & The Nightcats

https://www.mixcloud.com/upload/RT66WRFG/9-november-2025-wrfg-route-66-los-angeles-november-1949/complete/

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 2, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


This week, we turn the spotlight on new releases we’ve added to the
Route 66 music library this year.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Slow Drag Blues Jay McShann Down Beat Records 1948

Good Rockin’ Daddy
Roomful Of Blues
Steppin’ Out 2025

Show Me How (You Milk The Cow) Louis Jordan Decca Records 1950
Hey, Ba Ba Re Bop Johnny Shines Hey Ba Ba R Bop 1979
She Walks Right In Clarence Gatemouth Brown Peacock Records 1950

I Don’t Hurt Anymore
Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars
The Great Women In Blues 2025

The Frim Fram Sauce King Cole Trio Capitol Records ‎ 1945
The Lonesome Road Sister Rosetta Tharpe Decca Records 1938

Every Day I Have the Blues
Johnnie Johnson
I’m Just Johnny 2025

The Patton Basie Shuffle Count Basie Orchestra Basie Swings… 2023
I’ll Get Along Somehow Julia Lee Capitol Records 1947

But Beautiful
Kandace Springs
Lady in Satin 2025

Walkin’ Around Paul Williams Savoy Records 1948
Wrong Woman Blues Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1951
Blueberry Hill Fats Domino Imperial Records 1957

Tend To Your Business
Roomful Of Blues
Steppin’ Out 2025

Route 66 Charles Brown One More For The Road 1986
Alright, Okay, You Win Tony Bennett Playing With My Friends… 2001
Birmingham Bounce Lionel Hampton Decca Records 1950

Stagger Lee
Johnnie Johnson
I’m Just Johnny 2025

You Don’t Know What Love Is
Kandace Springs
Lady in Satin 2025

Embraceable You Charlie Parker One Night at Birdland 1950

How I Got Over
Kid Ramos w/ Brian Templeton
Strange Things Happening 2025

That’s All
Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars
The Great Women In Blues 2025

This Little Girl Of Mine
Ray Charles
Atlantic Records 1955

Westcoasting
Dave Robbins Big Band
Happy Faces 2025

Shout the Boogie
Candice Ivory
New Southern Vintage 2025

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast October 26, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.

We have two featured artists this week. Chicago blues pianist, songwriter, vocalist, and harmonica player was born in Memphis 100 years ago, on October 24, 1925. He scored two Top 10 R&B hits in the early 1950s and his classic “The Seventh Son” has been recorded by dozens of artists since it was released in 1955.

WILLIE MABON RESOURCES
Biography @wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Second Hand Songs

Jimmy Liggins was born James Elliott in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, on October 24, 1918. He was the younger brother of bandleader Joe Liggins. A master R&B guitarist, Jimmy Liggins’s “Cadillac Boogie” is often considered one of the first rock and roll records.

JIMMY LIGGINS RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Second Hand Songs

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

You Go To My Head Earl Bostic King Records 1953

I Don’t Know
Willie Mabon & Combo
Chess Records 1952

Teardrops From My Eyes Ruth Brown Show Time at The Apollo (TV Show) 1954
Why Don’t Cha Stop It Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
The Honeydripper Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers Exclusive Records 1945

Cadillac Boogie
Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
Specialty Records 1948

I Won’t Cry Any More Charles Brown Just A Lucky So And So 1994
Moosey Bull Moose Jackson & His Buffalo Bearcats King Records 1949
That’s the Stuff You Gotta Watch Cecil Gant Gilt Edge Records 1947
Jumpin’ The Blues Jimmy Witherspoon Goin’ To Kansas City Blues 1957
Fat Meat Is Good Meat Savannah Churchill Beacon Records 1942
Mambo Boogie Johnny Otis w/ Mel Walker Savoy Records 1951
Shake A Hand Faye Adams Herald Records 1953
The Woman I Love B. B. King R.P.M. Records 1954
Every Night About This Time Fats Domino Imperial Records 1950

Don’t Put Me Down
Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
Specialty Records 1949

I Ain’t In The Mood Helen Humes Modern Records 1951
I’m Afraid the Masquerade Is Over Little Jimmy Scott The Fabulous Songs of… 1959
The Big Break Little Charlie & The Nightcats The Big Break! 1989
Call The Police King Cole Trio Decca Records 1941

The Seventh Son
Willie Mabon
Chess Records 1955

Richest Guy in the Graveyard Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1949
Don’t Burn The Candle At Both Ends Louis Jordan Decca Records 1948

Careful Love
Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
Specialty Records 1949

Let the Good Times Roll Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025
Is You Is or Is You Not My Baby Catherine Russell Alone Together 2019
St. James Infirmary Cab Calloway Brunswick Records 1930
Putting on the Ritz Gene Wilder & Peter Boyle Young Frankenstein (Soundtrack) 1974

I’m Mad
Willie Mabon
Chess Records 1953

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

PODCAST PLAYLIST
You Go To My Head – Earl Bostic
I Don’t Know – Willie Mabon & Combo
Teardrops From My Eyes – Ruth Brown w/ The Paul Williams Orchestra
Why Don’t Cha Stop It – Roomful Of Blues
Cadillac Boogie – Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
I Won’t Cry Any More – Charles Brown
Moosey – Bull Moose Jackson & His Buffalo Bearcats
Don’t Put Me Down – Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
I Ain’t In The Mood – Helen Humes
I’m Afraid the Masquerade Is Over – Little Jimmy Scott
The Seventh Son – Willie Mabon
Richest Guy in the Graveyard – Dinah Washington
Careful Love – Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
I’m Mad – Willie Mabon
Tag (You’re It) – Little Charlie & The Nightcats





WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast October 19, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
Our podcast takes a deeper dive into our weekly feature than we can on the air.
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.

Our featured artist this week is Little Jimmy Scott.

Born James Victor Scott in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 17, 1925,
Little Jimmy rose to prominence at the vocalist for three of Lionel Hampton’s biggest hits, for which he didn’t receive credit. After leaving Hampton, Scott had a successful solo career through the 1950s and early 1960s, then suffered a series of setbacks that led him to quit the music business, leave New York, and move back to Cleveland.

After several years working at a variety of jobs incuding elevator operator and hospital orderly, Scott returned to New York and to music in 1989. You can hear more about Scott’s amazing compback in the podcast for today’s show.

LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.org
Interview @ JazzTimes.com

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Honky Tonk Part 1 Bill Doggett King Records 1956

Please Be Kind
Little Jimmy Scott
Savoy Records 1956

Jumpin’ The Blues Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown American Music… 1999
Blueberry Hill Fats Domino Imperial Records 1957
Jet Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra Decca Records 1951
Every Day I Have the Blues Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025

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

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

Hip Shakin’ Mama
Chubby “Hip Shakin'” Newsome & Her Hip Shakers
DeLuxe Records 1949

Roadblock Johnny Adams One Foot in the Blues 1996
Train Time Blues Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1947
Night Train Charlie Watts Jazz 625 Live For One Night Only 2017
Oops! Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Decca Records 1951
Just Like Two Drops of Water Wynonie Harris King Records 1951
Tell Me Who Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Caldonia Frankie “Sugar Chile” Robinson Capitol Records 1949
Everyday I Have The Blues B B King R.P.M. Records 1954
Jumpin’ In The Mornin’ Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1953
Spacemen Planet D Nonet Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington 2023
Twisted Annie Ross Specialty Records 1952

Gone Again
Lionel Hampton w/ Little Jimmy Scott
Decca Records 1948

All the Way
Little Jimmy Scott
All the Way 1992

(Special Report on No Kings Day 2)

Over The Rainbow
Little Jimmy Scott
Over the Rainbow 2001

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2025

HERE’S THE PLAYLIST FOR THE PODCAST
Night Train – Charlie Watts w/ Scott Hamilton, Dave Green, & John Pearce
Please Be Kind – Little Jimmy Scott
Jumpin’ The Blues – Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Every Day I Have the Blues – Johnnie Johnson
Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool – Lionel Hampton w/ Little Jimmy Scott
Sad Feeling – Lionel Hampton & HIs Orchestra w/ Little Jimmy Scott
Hip Shakin’ Mama – Chubby “Hip Shakin'” Newsome & Her Hip Shakers
Spacemen – Planet D Nonet
Gone Again – Lionel Hampton w/ Little Jimmy Scott
Sycamore Trees – Little Jimmy Scott
Power And Glory The Situation – Lou Reed
All the Way – Little Jimmy Scott
Over The Rainbow – Little Jimmy Scott
Tag (You’re It) – Little Charlie & The Nightcats

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast Sunday, October 12, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
Our podcast is not the same as our live show.
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.



For the final day of WRFG’s Fall Fund Drive we count down the top 15 R&B songs in the nation for the week ending October 11, 1948, as reported to Billboard Magazine.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Creeping (Late Freight) Sonny Thompson Miracle Records 1948

(TIE – 12TH PLACE) You Don’t Love Me
Camille Howard with the Roy Milton Unit
Specialty Records 1948

(TIE – 12TH PLACE) My Happiness
Ella Fitzgerald with the Song Spinners
Decca Records 1948

(TIE – 12TH PLACE) Elevator Boogie
Mabel Scott w/ Charles Brown
Exclusive Records 1948

(TIE – 12TH PLACE) Am I Asking Too Much?
Dinah Washington
Mercury Records 1948

(11) Special Delivery
Cecil Gant
Four Star Records 1948

(TIE – 7TH PLACE) Freedom Train Blues
Lil’ Son Jackson
Gold Star Records 1948

(TIE – 7TH PLACE)
It’s Too Soon To Know
Ella Fitzgerald
Decca Records 1948

(TIE – 7TH PLACE) My Heart Belongs To You
Arbee Stidham
RCA Victor 1948

(TIE – 7TH PLACE) The Darktown Strutters’ Ball
Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers
Exclusive Records 1948

(TIE – 4TH PLACE) Pretty Mama Blues
Ivory Joe Hunter
4 Star Records

(TIE – 4TH PLACE) More Than You Know
Charles Brown
Modern Records 1948

(TIE – 4TH PLACE) It’s Too Soon to Know
The Orioles
Jubilee Records 1948

(3) What Have I Done
Hadda Brooks
Modern Records 1948

(2) My Fault
Brownie McGhee
Savoy Records 1948

(1) Corn Bread
Hal Singer Sextet
Savoy Records 1948

Cole Slaw (Sorgum Switch) Louis Jordan Decca Records 1949
Shout the Boogie Candice Ivory New Southern Vintage 2025
Hop, Skip & Jump Roy Milton Specialty Records 1947
When the Lights Go Out Kim Wilson Tigerman 1993
Midnight Blues T-Bone Walker Black & White Records 1948
C’est si bon Louis Armstrong Decca Records 1950
Backstage at Stuff’s Count Basie Piano Rhythms 1947
Mister Five By Five Ella Mae Morse Capitol Records 1942
Please Hurry Home B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1953
Messin’ Around Memphis Slim Miracle Records 1948
Jumpin’ The Blues Eddie Vinson & Jay McShann Jumpin’ The Blues 1969
Stormy Blues Billie Holiday Savoy Records 1954
Route 66 Chuck Berry New Jukebox Hits 1961
Chicken Shack Boogie Detroit Junior Take Out the Time 1997
Gabbin’ Blues Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1952
Stagger Lee Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025

(sign off)

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


PLAYLIST FOR THE PODCAST

Creeping (Late Freight) – Sonny Thompson Quintet featuring Eddie Chomblee
You Don’t Love Me – Camille Howard with the Roy Milton Unit
My Happiness – Ella Fitzgerald with the Song Spinners
Elevator Boogie – Mabel Scott w/ Charles Brown
Am I Asking Too Much? – Dinah Washington
Special Delivery – Cecil Gant
Freedom Train Blues – Lil’ Son Jackson
It’s Too Soon To Know – Ella Fitzgerald
My Heart Belongs To You – Arbee Stidham
The Darktown Strutters’ Ball – Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers
Pretty Mama Blues – Ivory Joe Hunter
More Than You Know – Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers / Charles Brown
What Have I Done – Hadda Brooks
It’s Too Soon To Know – The Orioles
My Fault – Brownie McGhee
Corn Bread – Hal Singer Sextet
Hop, Skip & Jump – Roy Milton
Tag (You’re It) – Little Charlie & The Nightcats

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast October 5, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, 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 Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

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
streaming worldwide 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 weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
Our podcast is not the same as our live show.
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


This week, we count down the Top 10 R&B songs in the U.S. for the first week
of October 1950, then listen to songs that were local or regional hits that week
that didn’t make the national chart. Pay special attention to New Orleans,
where only two national hits were in their Top 10. Besides being fun musically,
this is an example of how different the music scenes were across the country
before music radio took over and blended everything together.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

After Hours Bobby Smith & His Orchestra Apollo Records 1950

COUNTDOWN OF NATIONAL R&B TOP TEN
FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 7, 1950

10-(TIE) Deceiving Blues
Blues Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ the Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1950

10-(TIE) Cupid’s Boogie
Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1950

9-Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere
Joe Morris & His Orchestra w/ Laurie Tate
Atlantic Records 1950

8-Hard Luck Blues
Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
DeLuxe Records 1950

7-I’ll Never Be Free
Annie Laurie & Paul Gayten & His Orchestra
Regal Records 1950

6-Every Day I Have the Blues
Lowell Fulson
Swingtime Records 1950

5-Pink Champagne
Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers
Specialty Records 1950

4-Love Don’t Love Nobody
Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
DeLuxe Records 1950

3-Mona Lisa
Nat King Cole
Capitol Records 1950

2-Blue Shadows
Lowell Fulson
Swingtime Records 1949

1-Blue Light Boogie (Parts 1 & 2)
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1950

(HARLEM) Bald Head Roy Byrd (Professor Longhair) Mercury Records 1950
(HARLEM) Teardrops from My Eyes Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1950
(HARLEM) I Need You So Ivory Joe Hunter Atlantic Records 1950
(SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO) My Foolish Heart Gene Ammons Chess Records 1950
(KANSAS CITY) Queen Bee Blues Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson King Records 1950
(KANSAS CITY) Well Oh Well Tiny Bradshaw King Records 1950

COUNTDOWN: TOP 10 R&B SONGS IN NEW ORLEANS
FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 7, 1950

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

9-La Vie En Rose
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Decca Records 1950

8-Sad Feeling
Roy Milton & His Solid Senders
Specialty Records 1950

(Love Don’t Love Nobody – Roy Brown – #7 on national R&B chart)

6-Goodnight Irene
Paul Gayten
Regal Records 1950

5-Story To Tell
Big Joe Turner
Imperial Records 1950

4-Sometime
The Ink Spots
Decca Records 1950

(Blue Shadows – Lowell Fulson – #3 on national R&B chart)

2-I’m Yours To Keep
Herb Fisher & His Trio
Modern Records 1950

1-Boogie Rambler
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Peacock Records 1950

(HOUSTON) Failing By Degrees Jimmy Witherspoon Modern Records 1950
(HOUSTON) Oo Wee Baby Peppermint Harris Sittin’ In With Records 1950
(HOUSTON) My Temper Is Risin’ Roy Hawkins Modern Records 1950
(LOS ANGELES) Stack-A-Lee Archibald Imperial Records 1950
(LOS ANGELES) Besame Mucho The Ray-O-Vacs Decca Records 1950

(LOS ANGELES) Please Send Me Someone To Love
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1950

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2025


PLAYLIST FOR THIS WEEK’S PODCAST
My Foolish Heart – Gene Ammons
Deceiving Blues – Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ the Johnny Otis Orchestra
Cupid’s Boogie – Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere – Joe Morris & His Orchestra w/ Laurie Tate
Hard Luck Blues – Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
I’ll Never Be Free – Annie Laurie & Paul Gayten & His Orchestra
Every Day I Have the Blues – Lowell Fulson
Pink Champagne – Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers
Love Don’t Love Nobody – Roy Brown
Mona Lisa – Nat King Cole
Blue Shadows – Lowell Fulson
Blue Light Boogie (Parts 1 & 2) – Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five w/ Bill Doggett
Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool – Lionel Hampton w/ Little Jimmy Scott
La Vie En Rose – Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Sad Feeling – Roy Milton & His Solid Senders
Goodnight Irene – Paul Gayten
Story To Tell – Big Joe Turner
Sometime – The Ink Spots
I’m Yours To Keep – Herb Fisher & His Trio
Boogie Rambler – Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Tag (You’re It) – Little Charlie & The Nightcats