Blues Unlimited

Series produced by Steve c/o Ernest Franz

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Join us as we explore the wonderful world of the Blues, and its history, heritage, and rich cultural traditions.

Blues Unlimited is an NPR-style two-hour weekly show that has been called the "best blues radio show in the United States," and has an established and loyal audience of listeners from around the globe. Hosted by "Sleepy Boy Hawkins" (the alter-ego of scholar, author, fanatic, and historian Steve Franz), each installment is a self-contained evergreen show, delving into a different genre, topic, or aspect of the blues. For more details on the program, see our full profile, or email us at bluesunlimited@gmail.com


219 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: The distinctive cover of Arhoolie LP 1018, "Bad Luck N' Trouble"
Recently, Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie Records marked their 50th anniversary. We'll celebrate by playing selections from three classic LPs from th...

Bought by KHNS and KHNS


  • Added: Jul 24, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Pictured: B.B. King and his guitar Lucille (courtesy PBS); Upper right: Lightnin’ Hopkins (courtesy Flower Films)
Who doesn't love a good story? In this episode of Blues Unlimited, it's all about Blues singers and songs that weave tall tales, spin entertaining ...

Bought by KHNS and KTRL


  • Added: Jul 10, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Perennial favorites Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Photo by Keith Perry.
With its own unique sound and feel, we aim the spotlight on Down Home Blues from the East Coast, from the mid 1940s to the early 1960s, on this epi...

Bought by KHNS, WPSU, KTRL, KTRL, and KHNS


  • Added: Jun 30, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Program for the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, which included performances by John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.
In this episode of Blues Unlimited we finish up our tribute to the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals by focusing on some of the great and rare Blues,...

Bought by KHNS and KTRL


  • Added: Jun 21, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Memorabilia from various Newport Folk Festivals.
In this episode of Blues Unlimited we wrap up our celebration of the Newport Folk Festivals of the 1960s, which brought a veritable who's who of Bl...

Bought by KHNS and KVNF


  • Added: Jun 15, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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In this episode of Blues Unlimited we continue our celebration of the Newport Folk Festival, which brought a veritable who's who of Blues legends t...

Bought by Rhythm & News Service and KTRL


  • Added: Jun 08, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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In this episode of Blues Unlimited, we celebrate the Newport Folk Festival, which brought a veritable who's who of Blues legends to the stage in Ne...

Bought by KHNS, Rhythm & News Service, and KTRL


  • Added: May 31, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: “California Desert Blues,” recorded 1935 by Lane Hardin, commemorates an experience many had during the Great Depression.
Join us as we take a look at Blues and politics, examining such topics as war, the Great Depression, politicians, economic downturns, and more.

Bought by KHNS, KTRL, Spokane Public Radio, and KHNS


  • Added: May 25, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: A real classic from Sam Price, "Rib Joint."
On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we aim the spotlight on the art and artistry of the Blues instrumental. Great rockin' performances from T-Bone ...

Bought by KHNS and KHNS


  • Added: May 16, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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Texas has a long and rich history when it comes to Blues Guitar, and here we aim the spotlight on some of the primary movers and shakers to come ou...

Bought by KHNS, KTRL, Spokane Public Radio, and WUCF


  • Added: Apr 17, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 4
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No particular theme on this episode, just two hours of our favorite Rhythm Rockin' Blues. We'll hear classics from Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Profes...

Bought by KHNS, KTRL, WUCF, North State Public Radio, and WYSO


  • Added: Apr 06, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Keyboard legend, Otis Spann.
Join us as we take a look at some of the fine piano players who worked and recorded in Chicago over the years — from Curtis Jones, Roosevelt Sykes ...

Bought by KHNS and WUCF


  • Added: Mar 28, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Some of the distinctive graphics from the American Folk Blues Festival tours, this one from 1967.
We continue our tribute to the American Folk Blues Festival Tours -- a legendary series of concerts organized by two German men, Horst Lippmann and...

Bought by KHNS and WUCF


  • Added: Mar 06, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Some of the distinctive graphics from the American Folk Blues Festival tours, this one from 1964.
We pay tribute to a legendary series of concerts organized by two German men, Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau, beginning in 1962. Known as the America...

Bought by KHNS and WUCF


  • Added: Mar 06, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Pictured: A West Coast harmonica classic from The Dixie Blues Boys; Inset: George “Harmonica” Smith.
When you think of Blues Harmonica, you probably think of giants like Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter Jacobs, or Shakey Horton -- but did you ev...

Bought by KHNS, KMXT, Spokane Public Radio, and WUCF


  • Added: Feb 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: On this episode of Blues Unlimited, it's all about trains!
Trains have figured largely in Blues lyrics over the decades, symbolizing freedom, mobility, a free ride to a better place, or the poignant end of ...

Bought by WJSU, KHNS, and WUCF


  • Added: Jan 31, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Willie Joe Duncan & His Unitar, one of the featured artists on this episode of Blues Unlimited.
Join us as we pay tribute to those artists -- a veritable parade of the "famous unknowns" -- with a unique distinction in common: one 78 or 45 rpm ...

Bought by WJSU, KTRL, KHNS, Spokane Public Radio, and WUCF


  • Added: Jan 09, 2011
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Clockwise, from top left: Frank Stokes, also referred to as "Creator of the Memphis Blues;" Gus Cannon listens to his Stax LP (photo by Bob Williams); Furry Lewis, 1976 (photo by Barney Sellers).
From classic ensembles like Cannon's Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band to great slide guitar masters like Furry Lewis and Bukka White to the ri...

Bought by KTRL, KHNS, WSLR, WUCF, and KISU


  • Added: Dec 31, 2010
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: The hands of Big Joe Williams. Photo by Joe Alper, 1964.
Join us as we take a look at the "Blues Revival" period of the 1960s -- a magical time of rebirth, rediscovery, and forgotten Blues legends of the ...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, KHNS, KTRL, WUCF and more


  • Added: Dec 27, 2010
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 6