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Juke In The Back
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Juke In The Back episodes
- Juke In The Back: #782 - Unsung Ladies of R&B - April 28-May 4, 2025Unsung Ladies of R&BThis week, the "Juke In The Back" solutes the Unsung Ladies of R&B! We'll dig deep into a stack of shellac from some women you know, like Varetta Dillard, Ann Cole and The Cookies, as well as from some that you may not know, such as Gwen Johnson and Bonita Cole. Matt The Cat will also feature an audition tape by the seldom heard Olive Brown, which was never issued at the time. None of the chanteuses on this week's program have catalogs deep enough to be main features, so we've gathered them together so they can shine on their own program. Pick up on what these ladies are puttin' down on this week's "Juke In The Back" and the "soul that came before Rock n' Roll."59 min
- Juke In The Back: #781 - The Griffin Brothers - April 21-27, 2025The Griffin BrothersThis week, "Juke In The Back" features The Griffin Brothers, one of the unsung Rhythm & Blues groups from the early 1950s. Jimmy and "Buddy" Griffin began in their hometown of Norfolk, VA in the late '40 playing jump blues. They settled in Washington, DC and were asked to backup Roy Brown on "Hard Luck Blues" in April, 1950. That recorded went to #1 in August and soon the brothers had their own record deal with Randy Wood's Dot Records out of Gallatin, TN. With vocalists Margie Day and Tommy Brown, The Griffin Brothers Orchestra scored six charting R&B hits from 1950-52, before embarking on separate solo careers in 1954. Matt The Cat features The Griffin's biggest hits, jumpin' B-sides and solo records on this week's "Juke." The Griffin Brothers were an important part of R&B's rise, scoring a #1 smash in early 1952 with "Weepin' & Cryin'" (featuring Tommy Brown on lead vocals) and now they're finally getting their due, even if time has left them behind.59 min
- Juke In The Back: #780 - 15th Anniversary Special! - April 14-20, 202515th Anniversary Special!Let's get together, throw some nickels in the ol' Rockola Jukebox and celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the "Juke In The Back." It's hard to believe that Matt The Cat's been droppin' down the plattahs and makin' 'em splattah like pancake battah for 15 years. He couldn't have done it without the listenership and support of all you hep cats and crazy kittens. This week, we open up the Request-O-Matic Hotline and take some of your requests as well as play some records that have never been played on previous "Juke In The Back" programs. We take the opportunity to look back at the last 15 years before blasting into the next 15 years with next week's program. So belly up to the bar at Rosie Juke Joint and get ready for a solid hour of what we do best, vintage Rhythm & Blues from the Jukers that make it possible. Thank you!59 min
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Dinah Washington, Pt. 1 - 1943-46
Dinah Washington was more than just the "Queen of The Jukeboxes," "Queen Of The Blues" and any other prestigious but vacant title you could pin on her. Dinah was the real deal. As one of the best selling artists of the 20th Century, Dinah was no pop sensation or flash in the pan. She was a consummate artist, who developed a playful, yet serious style of phrasing all her own. This week, Matt The Cat honors the great Dinah Washington with the first installment of a multi-part series on "The Queen." Part 1 focuses on Dinah's very first recordings for the Keynote label with members of Lionel Hampton's band as well as the seldom heard Apollo Records sides with Lucky Thompson's group. We'll also dig on her early Mercury Records releases. "Evil Gal Blues" (Keynote) from 1944 was her first charting hit, making the Harlem Hit Parade Top Ten. She then followed that success up with another top tenner, "Salty Papa Blues." You'll also hear clips from Matt The Cat's interview with Dinah's biographer, Nadine Cahodas, who wrote the book, "Queen: The Life and Music of Dinah Washington." Don't miss the Fabulous Miss "D" on this week's "Juke In The Back."