Caption: Baby Boy Warren, one of the featured artists on this episode.
Baby Boy Warren, one of the featured artists on this episode. 

Blues Unlimited #101 - Gotham Records Down Home Blues

Series: Blues Unlimited
From: Steve Franz
Length: 01:58:59

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Raw and gritty down home blues from Philadelphia’s Gotham label, from the late 1940s to the early 50s. Read the full description.

Bu101_illustration_small On this episode of Blues Unlimited, join us we explore some of the raw and gritty (translation: "exciting") Down Home Blues issued on Philadelphia’s Gotham label that were recorded in the late 1940s to the early 50s in Texas, Detroit, Louisiana, and yes, Philadelphia. Although Gotham tended to set new standards in terms of fidelity -- and we don't necessarily mean that as a compliment -- this show includes some all-time classic performances from John Lee Hooker, Dan Pickett, Sonny Terry, Champion Jack Dupree, Wright Holmes, Stick Horse Hammond, Ralph Willis, and many more.

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Piece Description

On this episode of Blues Unlimited, join us we explore some of the raw and gritty (translation: "exciting") Down Home Blues issued on Philadelphia’s Gotham label that were recorded in the late 1940s to the early 50s in Texas, Detroit, Louisiana, and yes, Philadelphia. Although Gotham tended to set new standards in terms of fidelity -- and we don't necessarily mean that as a compliment -- this show includes some all-time classic performances from John Lee Hooker, Dan Pickett, Sonny Terry, Champion Jack Dupree, Wright Holmes, Stick Horse Hammond, Ralph Willis, and many more.

Broadcast History

First local broadcast on KXCI FM 91.3, December 29, 2010.

Timing and Cues

Hour 1: 00:00 - 1:00:51
In cue: “Welcome to Blues Unlimited...”
Out cue (at 59:51): “...blues from Gotham Records, so stay with us.”

Break (60 second music bed): 59:51 - 1:00:51

Hour 2: 1:00:51 - 1:58:59
In cue: “And continuing on with our theme on Blues Unlimited...”
Out cue (at 1:55:22): “We’ll see you next time, right here on Blues Unlimited.”

Note: from 1:55:22 to 1:58:59, an instrumental excerpt by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, “Brownie's Guitar Blues,” closes the show.

This episode of Blues Unlimited is compliant with SOUNDEXCHANGE reporting requirements.

Each episode of Blues Unlimited is designed to be a self-contained "evergreen" show, to be run at any time you choose.

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Alley Special Wright Holmes Country Blues Classics Vol. 3. Blues Classics 1947 03:02
So Many Days Ralph Willis Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1. Document 1946 02:13
I Will Never Love Again Ralph Willis Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1. Document 1946 02:40
Steel Mill Blues Judson Coleman Ralph Willis--Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1. Document 1946 02:36
Truck 'Em On Down Stick Horse Hammond Alley Special. Krazy Kat 1950 02:48
Little Girl Stick Horse Hammond Alley Special. Krazy Kat 1950 02:40
Shreveport Blues David “Pete” McKinley Drove From Home Blues. Flyright 1950 02:49
Ardelle David “Pete” McKinley Down Home Blues Classics 1943-1953. Boulevard Vintage 1950 02:45
That's Grieving Me Dan Pickett Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953. JSP 1949 02:48
Wandering Blues John Lee Hooker Detroit Stuff. P-Vine 1950 02:59
My Special Friend Blues Baby Boy Warren Stop Breakin' Down. Official 1949 02:43
Nervy Woman Blues Baby Boy Warren Stop Breakin' Down. Official 1949 02:58
Drove From Home Blues Wright Holmes Gotham Post-War Country Blues Anthology. P-Vine 1947 02:49
Good Road Blues Wright Holmes Gotham Post-War Country Blues Anthology. P-Vine 1947 02:43
Quinsella Sonny Boy Johnson Alley Special. Krazy Kat 1947 02:55
Ride To A Funeral In A V-8 Dan Pickett Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953. JSP 1949 02:31
Chicago Blues Dan Pickett Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953. JSP 1949 03:15
My Daddy Was A Jockey John Lee Hooker The Complete J.L. Hooker Vol 4 1950-1951. Body & Soul 1951 03:20
Old Old Woman Champion Jack Dupree 1945 - 1953. Krazy Kat 1950 02:42
Mean Black Snake Champion Jack Dupree 1945 - 1953. Krazy Kat 1950 02:53
Catfish John Lee Hooker Complete J.L. Hooker Vol. 4 1950-1951. Body & Soul 1951 03:10
Lemon Man Dan Pickett Dan Pickett & Tarheel Slim. Flyright 1949 02:55
Baby, Let's Have Some Fun Sonny Terry Down Home Blues Classics 1943-1953. Boulevard Vintage 1952 02:21
Lizzie Lou Doug Quattlebaum Down Home Blues Classics 1943-1953. Boulevard Vintage 1953 02:27
Don't Be Funny Baby Doug Quattlebaum Down Home Blues Classics New York & East Coast States. Boulevard Vintage 1953 02:35
Somebody Changed the Lock Tarheel Slim East Coast Blues. Collectables 1949 02:34
You're a Little Too Slow Tarheel Slim East Coast Blues. Collectables 1949 02:40
Low Down Dirty Shame W. Harris Detroit Stuff. P-Vine 1951 03:40
Angel Of Mercy W. Harris Detroit Stuff. P-Vine 1951 02:27
Where Did You Stay Last Night Eddie Burns Complete J.L. Hooker Vol. 5 1951-1953. Body & Soul 1951 03:13
Grieving Blues Eddie Burns Detroit Blues. Flyright 1951 02:47
Making A Fool Out Of Me Eddie Burns Detroit Blues. Flyright 1951 03:00
Lonesome Room Sonny Terry Drove From Home Blues. Flyright 1952 02:58
No Love Blues Sonny Terry Drove From Home Blues. Flyright 1952 02:57
Foolin' Me Doug Quattlebaum East Coast Blues. Collectables 1953 02:32
Brownie's Guitar Blues (excerpt) Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee Rediscovered Blues. Capitol 1959 03:37

Additional Files

Related Website

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