At the end of the Second World War, economics forced the big bands to trim their once great size and thus, the Jump Blues combo was born. Between 1946-1954, rhythm and blues laid the tracks for what was to become Rock n’ Roll. So how come, 75 years later, this vibrant and influential music is still so unknown to so many? Matt The Cat is going to change that with the radio program, “Juke In The Back.” These were the records that you couldn’t hear on the jukebox in the front of the establishment. To hear all this great 1950s rhythm & blues, you had to go to “Juke In The Back.”
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Episode #696 – Willie Mabon
Air Week: September 4-10, 2023
Willie MabonWillie Mabon scored 2 #1 R&B records with “I Don’t Know” and “I’m Mad” in 1952 and ’53 respectively. Having 2 #1s ensured that he would never be forgotten, BUT Matt The Cat believe that this piano playing, harp-blowin’ blues cat should be better remembered and respected. This week, the “Juke In The Back” takes a look at nearly all his recordings for Chess Records, covering his career from his first solo release on Parrot in ’52 to his post-Chess single on Federal in ’57. In-between, you find different variations on his smash hits along side some unique sounding compositions which remain interesting to listen to and dig on some 70 years later. So grab a pocket full of nickels for the ol’ Rock-Ola juke and dig the sounds from Willie Mabon as we spin ’em ’round on this week’s “Juke In The Back.”
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