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 #548 - Aladdin Records, Pt. 1 - 1945-49
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" presents part 1 of a 3 part series on Aladdin Records. Aladdin was one of the independent LA record labels that launched in ...

Bought by WHRV, KTRT RADIO INC, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Nov 01, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #547 - NEW Halloween Rhythm & Blues Special
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
Halloween has always been a frightfully good time of the year for the "Juke In The Back." This year, Matt The Cat, along with Miss Rosie and Bobby ...

Bought by WHRV, WNMU-FM, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, KTRT RADIO INC and more


  • Added: Oct 25, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #546 - Unsung Ladies of R&B
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" solutes the Unsung Ladies of R&B! We'll dig deep into a stack of shellac from some women you know, like Varetta D...

Bought by KCSM, WHRV, Raven Radio, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Oct 18, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 7
Episode #545 - R.I.P. - Gaynel Hodge & Hal Singer
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" honors two unsung R&B heroes who passed away over the past six months. Vocal group leader and songwriter Gaynel Hodge...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, KTRT RADIO INC, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Oct 11, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #544 - Paul Gayten
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
Pianist Paul Gayten is one of the true unsung heroes of R&B and rock n' roll, but he is often overlooked in the history of the genre. Matt The Cat ...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Oct 04, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
Episode #543 - Early Etta James
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
Etta James was one of the grittiest and most influential R&B singer of all-time. This week, Matt The Cat focuses on Etta's early records from 1954-...

Bought by WHRV, KTRT RADIO INC, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 27, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #542 - Joe Liggins
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
Today's popular culture has left so many musical pioneers behind and this week the "Juke In The Back" features Joe Liggins, one such pioneer who's ...

Bought by WHRV, KTRT RADIO INC, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 20, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #541 - The Heartbeats
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
With so many wonderful vocal groups present during the 1950s, it took a few distinct ones to lead the pack and blaze the trail. The Heartbeats are ...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, KTRT RADIO INC, and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 13, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #540 - Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers
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
"Juke In The Back" digs deep into New Orleans R&B this week for the highly underrated 1950s vocal group, Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers. Best known f...

Bought by KTRT RADIO INC, WHRV, WOUB, KMXT, and Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting


  • Added: Sep 06, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #539 - The Harptones
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 Harptones never had a national hit record, yet they are arguably the finest vocal group to come out of New York City during the 1950s. What set...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, KMXT, and KTRT RADIO INC


  • Added: Aug 30, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #538 - Jimmy Reed: 1953-59
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
Jimmy Reed was a hit-making blues machine back in the 1950s, yet he isn't as well remembered today as some of his contemporaries. Almost anyone cou...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, KTRT RADIO INC, WYAP, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Aug 23, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #537 - Bo Diddley: 1956-59
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
Last week, the "Juke In The Back" featured every recording made by the innovative BO DIDDLEY during the year 1955. This week, the Juke picks it up ...

Bought by WHRV, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, WOUB, KMXT, and KTRT RADIO INC


  • Added: Aug 16, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #536 - Bo Diddley: 1955
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's "Juke In The Back" features every record Bo Diddley recorded during his debut year of 1955. You'll hear where it all began with one of ...

Bought by KTRT RADIO INC, WHRV, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, WOUB, and KMXT


  • Added: Aug 09, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #535 - King Records, Pt. 10: Federal Records, 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, it's part 10 of a 10 part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. At the end of 1950, King launched a new R&B subsidi...

Bought by KTRT RADIO INC, WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Aug 02, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #534 - King Records, Pt. 9: Federal Records, 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, it's part 9 of a multi-part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. At the end of 1950, King launched a new R&B subsi...

Bought by WHRV, KTRT RADIO INC, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, KMXT and more


  • Added: Jul 26, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 6
Episode #533 - King Records, Pt. 8: 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
This week, it's part 8 of a multi-part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Matt The Cat takes a look at King's spectacular ...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, KMXT, and KTRT RADIO INC


  • Added: Jul 19, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #532 - King Records, Pt. 7: 1953
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, it's part 7 of a multi-part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Matt The Cat takes a look at King's spectacular ...

Bought by WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, KTRT RADIO INC, and KMXT


  • Added: Jul 12, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #531 - King Records, Pt. 6: 1952
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, it's part 6 of a multi-part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. In part 6, we take a look at King's spectacular r...

Bought by WHRV, KTRT RADIO INC, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Jul 05, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #530 - King Records, Pt. 5: 1951
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, it's part 5 of a multi-part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. We take a look at King's spectacular releases du...

Bought by KTRT RADIO INC, WHRV, WOUB, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, and KMXT


  • Added: Jun 28, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Episode #529 - King Records, Pt. 4: 1949-50
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, it's part 4 of a multi-part feature on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Matt The Cat fills the ol' Rockola Jukebox with ...

Bought by WHRV, Cove Mountain Educational Broadcasting, WOUB, and KMXT


  • Added: Jun 21, 2020
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 4

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