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: Two legendary Hill Country musicians, Sid Hemphill and Lucius Smith. Illustration by Archer Pruitt.
Join us as we follow Alan Lomax through the Hill Country of Mississippi, in September 1959. We’ll hear some exciting fife and drum band music, old ...

Bought by Radio New Zealand, WJSU, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: Aug 03, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Eddie Taylor, from 1974. Photo by Bill Greensmith.
Join us we wrap up our tribute to Chicago Blues guitar legend, Eddie Taylor. We’ll be hearing some standout selections from his solo work — plus so...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, and KRPS


  • Added: Jul 27, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Photo of Eddie Taylor courtesy of Rick Jones.
Join us as we continue our tribute to Chicago blues guitar legend, Eddie Taylor. Most famous for the recordings he did for Vee-Jay with John Lee Ho...

Bought by WJSU, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: Jul 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: The great Eddie Taylor, doing what he does best. Photo courtesy of Steve Cushing.
Join us — on our 150th episode! — as we pay tribute to one of the real unsung heroes of Chicago Blues, guitarist Eddie Taylor. He worked and record...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, and KRPS


  • Added: Jul 13, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: A standout cut from Jr. Wells, featuring the distinctive Chief Records logo.
Join us as we take a look at the small but mighty Chief label, out of Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1957 by entrepreneur Mel London, it was only in...

Bought by WJSU, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: Jul 06, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: The ever-popular Sister Rosetta Tharpe, one of the great string-benders of Gospel Music.
On our annual Gospel Show, "Brother Hawkins" takes the reins as we aim the spotlight on some of our favorite guitar-slinging ladies of Gospel music...

Bought by WJAB, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: Jun 28, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Also featured on this episode, a legendary slice of vinyl from the Specialty archives; compiled by Barret Hansen in 1972.
Join us for some terrific Down Home Country Blues from Specialty Records. In addition to Frankie Lee Sims and Clifton Chenier — two of our all-time...

Bought by WJSU, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: Jun 22, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Illustration by the Daily Planet/Tom Wilson, depicting Robert Johnson's recording debut in a San Antonio hotel room, 1936.
Join us as we go back to the 1930s and dig out some of the rarest blues of all time. From Leroy Carr and Robert Johnson to Big Bill Broonzy and Bli...

Bought by WJSU, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: Jun 15, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Just one of many LPs by Lightnin’ Hopkins, whose extensive recordings made up a large portion of the Bluesville catalog.
Join us for part two of our new and ongoing series, "The Legends of Bluesville." This time around, we’ll aim the spotlight on Texas and the Gulf Co...

Bought by WJSU, KRPS, and 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: May 24, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: One of the distinctive album covers from the Bluesville label.
Join us for the launch of a new and ongoing series, "The Legends of Bluesville." This time around, our focus will be on the Eastern Seaboard, with ...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, and KRPS


  • Added: May 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
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Join us as we finish up our tribute to the "The Blues," a series of five LPs issued by Chess Records in the mid 1960s. We’ll hear classics from Mud...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, and KRPS


  • Added: May 11, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
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Join us as we aim the spotlight on a classic series of LPs from Chess Records. Simply called "The Blues," they issued five volumes between 1963 and...

Bought by WJSU, 90.5 WSNC, and KRPS


  • Added: May 05, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Hammond B3 keyboard master Sam Lazar, who cut a few LPs for Argo, then disappeared. Courtesy of the collection of Armin Büttner.
Join us as we take another trip down to the land of the Hammond B3. We’ll hear some killer grooves and hot rockers from some of our old favorites l...

Bought by WJSU and KRPS


  • Added: Apr 27, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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Join us as we journey to the Queen City of the South, Charlotte, North Carolina, to hear some of the rich blues and heavenly gospel that was record...

Bought by WFAE, KRPS, 90.5 WSNC, and WJSU


  • Added: Apr 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Photo of Walter Horton by Sylvia Pitcher, London, 1968.
Join us as we pay tribute to one of the all time greatest harmonica players, Big Walter Horton. Making his first recordings with Sam Phillips in Me...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, and KRPS


  • Added: Apr 12, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: The King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier.
We’ve been digging through the archives to bring you this special "best of" encore presentation. This time around, it's a whole bunch of hot rocker...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, and KRPS


  • Added: Apr 04, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Napoleon Strickland playing the fife while Othar Turner dances. Near Senatobia, Mississippi, 1970. Photo by David Evans. Background: Some of the LPs featuring field recordings made by David Evans. Courtesy of Stefan Wirz's American Music.
Join us as we aim the spotlight on the legendary field recordings of David Evans. An intrepid researcher, most of what he captured in the mid 60s a...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC, WJSU, KRPS, and Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi)


  • Added: Mar 30, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: The King of Chicago Blues Piano, Big Maceo. Photo courtesy of Blues Unlimited magazine #106, Feb/March 1974.
Join us for a tribute to keyboard legend Big Maceo Merriweather. Although his recorded legacy is not all that large, he left an indelible mark in t...

Bought by KRPS


  • Added: Mar 22, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: An all-time classic: Muddy Waters At Newport, from 1960.
Join us as we explore some of the very best live blues performances of all time — B.B. King at the Regal, Muddy Waters at Newport, Robert Nighthawk...

Bought by WJSU and KRPS


  • Added: Mar 15, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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Join us as we aim the spotlight on Bill Quinn’s legendary Gold Star record label. Founded in Houston in the late 1940s, he recorded some of the cre...

Bought by KRPS, WJSU, and 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Mar 08, 2014
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 3