Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat

Series produced by Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri

Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Image by: Public Domain 
Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat 

Matt The Cat presents the soul that came before rock n' roll: 1950s rhythm and blues. Each week, this underrated and rollicking music plays on that old Rockola Jukebox in the back.

If you wanted to hear rhythm & blues during the 1950s, you couldn't get it from the juke box in the front. No, no! In order to hear that glorious, down and dirty R&B, you had to go to the low-lit, spit-shined "Juke In The Back." These songs are the building blocks of rock n' roll. These are the records that inspired Elvis and single-handedly led to the rock n' roll explosion of the mid-1950s. Big Joe Turner, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Wynonie Harris, LaVern Baker, Roy Brown, Joe Liggins, Professor Longhair and many more take center stage on The Juke In The Back. Matt The Cat hosted a similar program on XM Satellite Radio called "Harlem" and now he brings this great music and information to PRX.


697 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Episode #228 - The Penguins
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The Penguins’ “Earth Angel” was the first rhythm & blues song to crossover into the pop world in such a big way that it announced the beginning of ...

Bought by WLPR , 90.5 WSNC, KSRQ, and WOUB


  • Added: Sep 14, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 4
Episode #227 - Little Esther Phillips
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The "Juke In The Back" honors Little Esther, the 14 year old phenom that scored 3 #1 hits in 1950, singing with Johnny Otis' musical ensemble. She ...

Bought by WLPR , 90.5 WSNC, WOUB, and KSRQ


  • Added: Sep 07, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
Episode #226 - Back Of The Box: Rare 78rpm Shellac
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
This week, Matt The Cat digs deep inside the back of the "Juke In The Back" to dust off some 78rpm shellac plattahs that never get played. It's a g...

Bought by KPVL, WLPR , 90.5 WSNC, KSRQ, and WOUB


  • Added: Aug 31, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #225 - Lloyd Price: 1952-53
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The legendary Lloyd Price joins Matt The Cat on the "Juke In The Back" this week to discuss his early career on Specialty Records and the recording...

Bought by KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , WOUB, WHRV and more


  • Added: Aug 24, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #224 - Howlin' Wolf: The Early Years
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
This week, the "Juke In The Back" focuses on the great Howlin' Wolf's earliest recordings. Before he became a huge star on Chess Records in Chicago...

Bought by KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , WHRV, and WOUB


  • Added: Aug 17, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #223 - The Excello Records Story
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Drop a nickel in the ol' Rockola Juke as Matt The Cat dedicates the entire hour to the great little Nashville R&B label, Excello Records. From The ...

Bought by WMMT, KPVL, WLPR , 90.5 WSNC, WHRV and more


  • Added: Aug 10, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 7
Episode #222 - The Flamingos, Pt. 3 - 1957-59
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Terry Johnson of The Flamingos joins Matt The Cat this week as the "Juke In The Back" jumps and grooves with part three of our three part feature o...

Bought by KPVL, WLPR , 90.5 WSNC, WHRV, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Aug 03, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #221 - The Flamingos, Pt. 2 - 1954-56
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The "Juke In The Back" jumps and grooves this week as Matt The Cat presents part 2 of a three part feature on The Flamingos, one of the most influe...

Bought by KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , WHRV, WOUB and more


  • Added: Jul 27, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #220 - The Flamingos, Pt. 1 - 1953-54
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The "Juke In The Back" jumps and grooves this week as Matt The Cat begins a 3 part feature on The Flamingos, one of the most influential and best r...

Bought by KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , WHRV, WOUB and more


  • Added: Jul 20, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #219 - Motown Artists Before Motown
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The entire "Juke In The Back" this week features Motown's biggest acts, BEFORE there even was a Motown Records and before those acts were household...

Bought by KISA Digital Studios, KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WOUB, WLPR and more


  • Added: Jul 13, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 7
Episode #218 - Marvin Phillips
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Marvin Phillips is one of LA's unsung heroes of 1950s rhythm & blues. He, along with Jesse Belvin popularized R&B duos with their 1952 smash, "Drea...

Bought by WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, KSRQ, WLPR , WHRV and more


  • Added: Jul 06, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #217 - 4th Of July - R&B Songs About Food
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
What’s more American than celebrating America’s birthday with some good ol’ red, white and Rhythm & Blues about THE Fourth of July staple: food? Di...

Bought by KPIP-LP, KPVL, WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR and more


  • Added: Jun 29, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 7
Episode #216 - Memphis Slim
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Memphis Slim dubbed himself the "Ambassador Of The Blues" and for good reason. He spread the gospel of America's music around the world during his ...

Bought by KPVL, WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , and KSRQ


  • Added: Jun 22, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #215 - The Cardinals
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Even though The Cardinals only scored 3 R&B hits, they are remembered as one of the most important vocal groups of the 1950s. This week, Matt The C...

Bought by WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , WRNC-LP, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Jun 14, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #214 - Rosco Gordon
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
This week, the "Juke In The Back" spotlights the "Prince of Primitive Cool," Rosco Gordon. His mostly self-penned tunes, feature his unique blend ...

Bought by KPVL, WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, WRNC-LP, and KSRQ


  • Added: Jun 08, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #213 - Ike Turner
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
Much has been said about Ike Turner's personal life, but not enough has been said about his musical legacy. This week's "Juke In The Back" looks at...

Bought by WOUB, KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , KSRQ and more


  • Added: Jun 02, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #212 - Johnny Ace
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
This week, "Juke In The Back" highlights the short career of one of R&B's greatest talents: JOHNNY ACE. His great records usually get overshadowed ...

Bought by KPVL, WOUB, WLPR , 90.5 WSNC, KSRQ and more


  • Added: May 25, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #211 - 1952: Jukebox Rhythm Review, Pt. 2
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
This week, the jukebox is in the spotlight as the "Juke In The Back" features part 2 of a part series on the biggest R&B jukebox hits of 1952!

Bought by WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , KSRQ, and KPVL


  • Added: May 18, 2014
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #210 - 1952: Jukebox Rhythm Review, Pt. 1
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
This week, the jukebox is in the spotlight as we feature part one of a two part series on the top R&B jukebox hits of 1952.

Bought by KPVL, WOUB, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , and KSRQ


  • Added: May 11, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #209 - The Moonglows, Pt. 2
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Caption: Juke In The Back with Matt The Cat, Credit: Public Domain
The Moonglows were one of the most innovative and important vocal groups to come out of the 1950s. This week, Matt The Cat presents part 2 of a 2 ...

Bought by KPVL, 90.5 WSNC, WLPR , WOUB, and KSRQ


  • Added: May 05, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5

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