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.”
https://www.jukeintheback.org
Episode #309 – Dinah Washington, Pt. 1 – 1943-46
Air Week: April 4-10, 2016
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.”
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