Juke In The Back

Sun Records R&B, Pt. 2: 1954-55

On Part 2 of "Juke In The Back"'s 2 part series on Sun Records' early R&B releases, Matt The Cat spotlights 1954 and '55. This was the most important year and a half in Sun's history. In July, 1954, a young former truck driver named Elvis Presley entered 706 Union Avenue in Memphis and laid down a song that would lead to the rock n' roll explosion of the mid-1950s. Sun founder, the late Sam Phillips recalls that historic recording as Matt The Cat spins classic Sun R&B from the likes of Billy "The Kid" Emerson, Little Milton, James Cotton and Roscoe Gordon. This is the thrilling conclusion to the "Juke In The Back" tribute to the most important and influential label in the history of rock n' roll.

Sun Records R&B, Pt. 1 - 1952-53

This week, the "Juke In The Back" salutes the most influential and important record label of all-time, Sun Records. Sam Phillips started the legendary label in Memphis, TN in March, 1952 after successfully recording the debut sides from B.B. King, Ike Turner, Phineas Newborn and Howlin' Wolf and selling the masters to RPM Records in LA and Chess Records in Chicago. This is part one of a two part feature, leading up to Phillips' groundbreaking, pop culture shifting discovery of Elvis Presley in July, 1954. Matt The Cat examines nearly every rhythm & blues side that Sun Released during 1952 and '53 on this in-depth look into one of America's most treasured music catalogs. That little yellow label from Memphis is in the spotlight all week on the "Juke In The Back," America's showcase for 1940s and '50s Rhythm & Blues.

Elvis' R&B Influences

49 years ago this week, we lost the "King Of Rock n' Roll. Much has been written about Elvis enormous impact and popularity over the years, but its almost impossible to overstate the cultural shift that took place as he rose to fame in 1956. Elvis was a musical sponge. He absorbed all the music that moved him and those around him, from Country and Hillbilly to Gospel, Pop, R&B and Blues. This weeks Juke In The Back focuses solely on the rhythm & blues that motivated Elvis early career. During the end of his first session with Sam Phillips, Elvis cut into an inspired rendition of a semi-forgotten Arthur Crudup gem and rock n roll was literally born. From the New Orleans R&B of Smiley Lewis, to the jump blues of Wynonie Harris, Elvis dug it all and made each song uniquely his own. He wasnt copying his R&B idols, he was merely using their material as a springboard for his own blend of the White and the Black. Sam Phillips was right when he said that it would take a White cat with an African-American feel to propel this exciting R&B music into the mainstream and lucky for us, he found that in Elvis Presley. Matt The Cat presents many surprises in this weeks Juke In The Back, dedicated to Elvis strongest musical influence: Rhythm & Blues.

Aladdin Records, Pt. 3 - 1953-55

The "Juke In The Back" presents part 3 in our series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent labels of the pre-rock era. Part 3 focuses on 1953-55, just as Rock n' Roll was beginning to enter the mainstream. Matt The Cat digs up a great variety of styles this week as vocal groups, raw Rhythm & Blues, jump instrumentals, drinking songs and ballads take center stage. We'll dig on some hits and misses from Amos Milburn, The Five Keys, Chuck Higgins, Gene & Eunice and Shirley & Lee. We'll also hear some great debut records from Bobby Marchan and Sonny Knight, who would go on to greater success on other labels. A few rare vocal group sides are also featured. Grab a handful of nickels, because this week the "Juke In The Back" is loaded with Aladdin Records sides out of Beverly Hills, CA. This is the final part in our 3 part series.

Aladdin Records, Pt. 2 - 1950-54

The "Juke In The Back" presents part 2 in our 3 part series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent labels of the pre-rock era. Part 2 will pick up the Aladdin Records Story in 1950 and carry it through til rock n' roll began hitting the mainstream in 1953-54. This week, we'll hear more hits from Aladdin's early hit-makers, Amos Milburn and Charles Brown. We'll also dig some of the newcomers, like Floyd Dixon, Peppermint Harris, Calvin Boze, Shirley & Lee, the Five Keys and more. Aladdin was a rare label in that almost everything they pressed was worth hearing. If you ever see a discarded Aladdin 45 by an artist you've never heard before, pick it up, because chances are it'll make you very, very happy. Next week, part 3 will close down the series on Aladdin on the "Juke In The Back" with Matt The Cat.

Aladdin Records, Pt. 1 - 1945-49

The "Juke In The Back" begins a three part special on one of the most important record labels of the pre-rock era, Aladdin Records. Eddie and Leo Mesner started Aladdin as Philo Records in 1945. It was one of the first independent labels on the West Coast and sought to fill in the R&B void left by major labels like Victor, Decca and Columbia. The Mesners hired Maxwell Davis to help with musical arrangements and back up their artists and got the label off to a jumpin' start. In February of 1946, Philo became Aladdin and a record label icon was born. With artists like Johnny Moore's Three Blazers featuring Charles Brown, Helen Humes, Illinois Jacquet, Wynonie Harris, Amos Milburn and some rare releases from a young Robins group, how could Aladdin possibly fail? They didn't and in the process, they helped propel rhythm & blues into the mainstream, paving the way for the emergence of Rock n' Roll. This week's show focuses on the beginning of the label from 1945-49 and next week's show will feature 1950 to the birth of Rock n' Roll, while part three will concentrate on the early Rock releases. Grab some nickels, because the party's getting ready to start down at the Chicken Shack...with Matt The Cat and the "Juke In The Back."

Jay McShann

Jay McShann was a pioneer of Rhythm & Blues, cutting his teeth as a swing bandleader, arriving in Kansas City just as it was becoming a jazz mecca. In 1937, he heard the young Charlie Parker and asked him to join his band. "Bird" was on McShann's first records, done for Decca in 1941 including the smash, "Confessin' The Blues," which featured vocalist Walter Brown. McShann was a discoverer of talented musicians, from vocalists Julia Lee, Al Hibler and Jimmy Witherspoon to drummer Gus Johnson, bassist Gene Ramey and saxophonist Paul Quinichette. His band launched many careers and thankfully McShann had many hits of his own. In 1949, it was his band backing Jimmy Witherspoon on the R&B chart-topper, "Ain't Nobody's Business" and with the help of Pricilla Bowman, McShann scored another #1 in 1955 with "Hands Off." Matt The Cat explores Jay McShann's long and storied career as we boogie, jump, jive and wail on this week's "Juke In The Back."

The Influence of "Junker's Blues" and R&B Telephone Songs

The Juke In The Back is jumpin this week as we take a look at the history and influence of the Champion Jack Dupree classic, Junkers Blues. He learned the tune from New Orleans boogie woogie pianist Drive Em Down, but it was Duprees recording that influenced Fats Domino, Lloyd Price and Professor Longhair. Well also make some long distance rhythm & blues phone calls from Floyd Dixon, Sonny Terry, Muddy Waters and Big Walter. Grab a nickel and dig on the Juke In The Back.

Parrot Records

This week, "Juke In The Back" focuses on a tiny Chicago R&B record label with a big sound; Parrot Records. The label was started by Chicago DJ Al Benson in late 1952 and it closed its doors in 1956. During its period of operation, Parrot recorded some smokin' R&B with Willie Mabon, Mabel Scott and J.B. Lenoir and smooth vocal group sounds from The Flamingos, the 5 Thrills and the Orchids. Matt The Cat highlights both the hits and misses and brings you the story behind the story on this often forgotten R&B label on "Juke In The Back."

250th 4th of July R&B Picnic

This week, Juke In The Back waves the banner high in celebration of Americas 250th birthday with one of Americas great contributions to the world. No, its not a representative democracy, motion pictures, space flight or a free economy, but its cuisine. Americas food in song with some good ol red, white and Rhythm & Blues. Dig in on an hour of classic R&B about hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, ribs and ice cream sung by Nat King Cole, Amos Milburn, Louis Jordan, the 5 Royales and many more. Matt The Cat invites you to groove to our R&B 4 th of July picnic and the soul that came before rock n roll on the Juke In The Back.