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: Tampa Red in a 1940s publicity shot. Courtesy Bill Greensmith Collection; Inset: Muddy Waters’ 1948 breakout hit.
We’re headed up to the great city of Chicago, to hear from some of the titans of the slide guitar. The late 1940s were dominated by Tampa Red, Mudd...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Sep 22, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: From top left: Bo Diddley & his limo; Chuck Berry's breakout hit; the man himself.
On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we pay tribute to the automobile. Revered in story and song, it’s always been a favorite topic of blues artists...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Sep 15, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Photo of Pete "Guitar" Lewis courtesy of Ace Records/Johnny Otis Collection.
If you were going to make a list of all the West Coast guitar players, the name of Pete Lewis might very well be at the top. Joining up with Johnny...

Bought by WJSU and 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Sep 07, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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Join us as we feature some exciting Down Home Blues from Philadelphia's Gotham label, with music from Baby Boy Warren, Wright Holmes, Dan Pickett, ...

Bought by 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Sep 01, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Poster for the 1973 Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival.
Join us as we head down to the 1973 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. We’ll hear from a number of legends, such as Roosevelt Sykes, Houston Stackh...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 26, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: 1940s RCA Victor publicity shot for Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup.
On this episode, we aim the spotlight on Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. Known for being an imaginative songwriter, he was a highly influential musician o...

Bought by KRPS


  • Added: Aug 18, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: One of the few 78s to give him label credit, the "Joe Louis Strut" is a tour de force by Black Bob.
Join us as we aim the spotlight on a mid-1930s enigma, piano legend Black Bob. Recording with dozens of musicians, he mysteriously appeared on the ...

  • Added: Aug 11, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
Caption: Right: Early Publicity Shot of Mississippi Blues Legend Big Joe Williams. Left: Some of the music recorded in 1941.
Join us as we aim the spotlight on some of the spectacular Down Home Blues that were recorded during the year 1941. From the Library of Congress fi...

Bought by WJSU


  • Added: Aug 04, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
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On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we're cranking up our time machine, and setting the dial for San Antonio in the late 1920s and 1930s. One of th...

  • Added: Jul 28, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
Caption: Brother Jack McDuff at the keyboards.
Join us as we celebrate — once again — some extended jams and hot instrumentals from the Hammond B3. We'll be movin' and groovin' to the fleet-fing...

  • Added: Jul 22, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
Caption: Aleck "Rice" Miller, better known as Sonny Boy Williamson #2, who helped get Trumpet Records off the ground. Photo courtesy of Bill Greensmith/Blues Unlimited Magazine. Inset: Trumpet’s distinctive label design.
We aim the spotlight on one of the most beloved record labels of all time, Trumpet Records, of Jackson, Mississippi. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Li...

Bought by WJSU and 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Jul 13, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 2
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Join us as we explore two rare and long out-of-print LPs from the 1960s. "Living Legends" was recorded live at the Cafe Au-Go-Go in New York City, ...

  • Added: Jul 07, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
Caption: Illustration by R. Crumb.
On this episode of Blues Unlimited, it's time for our annual Gospel show! Special guest host Brother Hawkins takes over the reigns for two hours of...

  • Added: Jun 15, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
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Blues Unlimited celebrates its 100th episode in style, with a special "Best Of" retrospective, spotlighting a few of our favorite moments from the ...

Bought by KXCI


  • Added: Jun 06, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
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On this episode, we pay tribute to Blues guitar mystery man Lee Cooper. Bursting on the Chicago scene in 1953, his distinctive session work graced ...

  • Added: Jun 02, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
Caption: The distinctive Blue Lake label, featuring Chicago harmonica blower Little Willie Foster.
On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we're enjoying some of our favorite, rare, and overlooked harmonica jams from the Windy City, courtesy of Littl...

  • Added: May 27, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
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No particular theme on this one, just a grab bag full of post-war rockers and down home favorites from Lightnin' Hopkins, Dr. Ross, K.C. Douglas, J...

Bought by KMXT


  • Added: May 04, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: From top left: Albert King; Otis Redding; Booker T. & the MG’s.
Join us as we enjoy some great cover versions of blues, pop, rock, folk, and R&B classics that were recorded down at the legendary Stax label in Me...

Bought by WHRV


  • Added: Apr 28, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Jody Williams, in his later years.
Join us for a tribute to blues guitar legend Jody Williams. Making his debut on record at the age of 19, he became a highly influential guitarist, ...

  • Added: Apr 06, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59
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On this episode of Blues Unlimited, a tribute to Antone’s night club. Founded in 1975 in Austin, Texas, it featured a who’s who of blues legends, l...

  • Added: Mar 29, 2013
  • Length: 01:58:59