CKUT: Cha Cha Cha In Blue: Playlist from December 14, 2025

Cha Cha Cha In Blue : Playlist from December 14, 2025

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Blues from every era. Interview with artists, concert listings, blues related events, information and trivia, gearhead heaven…just what kind of harmonica was that?

On Cha Cha Cha In Blue, the longest-running blues show in Montreal, host John Detcheverry devotes equal time to the classics, new releases and Canadian artists. On the air since 1990.

Listeners can expect to hear the likes of Paul Deslauriers, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Pop Staples, Downchild, Steve Rowe, MonkeyJunk, and Charlie Musselwhite, as well as live performances and interviews.

Every Sunday 9 - 11pm (EST)

December 14, 2025: SHAPES OF THINGS TO COME! NEW RELEASES! This Week In Blues History! Where It's At (The Live Music Roundup)!

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Tonight on Cha Cha Cha In Blue we start with advance singles from upcoming albums by Jonathon ‘Boogie’ Long, Eric Bibb, Jesper Lindell, and Handsome Jack plus a new single from Marshall Lawrence. Joe Bonamassa just released Vol lV of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 and we'll listen to new tracks featuring Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and Marcus King. There have been a lot of new entries in the Christmas catalogue this year so let's try to generate a little Xmas spirit with new songs by Cat Wells Blues Band, Son Of Dave, Will Wilde, Allison August, The Nola Blue Revue, Lil' Red & The Rooster, Misty Blues, Johnny Vernazza, and The Big Christmas Crew. The "history" part starts more than a hundred years ago with a song from 1924 by Clara Smith then continues with Clarence Williams' Blue Five, Jelly Roll Morton, Memphis Minnie, Rufus Thomas, Jimmy Nolen, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Pops Staples, Paul Rodgers, and Downchild Blues Band. We'll close with an original Christmas song from the Midnight Boppers who'll be rockin' & rollin' La Petite Marche on Friday.

(✓ = new, ㏄ = CanCon)

Artist	Track	Album	Label	Year	Comments			Images
INTRO
Harry Manx	ID - Harry Manx						㏄
Junior Wells/Talk	Cha Cha Cha In Blue	Messin' With The Kid	Charly Records	1957	Here's what we're doing tonight ...
SHAPES OF THINGS TO COME
Jonathon ‘Boogie’ Long	Baby, I’m Through	Courage In The Chaos	Myrical Media	2025	Baton Rouge blues-rock artist Jonathon “Boogie” Long has released his new single “Baby, I’m Through,” the second single from his upcoming album Courage In The Chaos, due March 6 via Myrical Media. The song is a Baton Rouge blues confession - a letter written out loud. “There’s a point where you’re done,” he says. “You don’t whisper it to one person. You say it to everybody.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQRl73L3vx0	✓
Eric Bibb	Muddy Waters	One Mississippi	Repute Records	2026	Eric Bibb has shared "If You’re Free", the third single from his forthcoming album, One Mississippi but I missed the second one so I'm going back to that. The second single is a track named after, written and recorded in tribute to, blues guitar pioneer Muddy Waters. Muddy Waters, the song, is Bibb paying his dues to one of the most influential players of all time, a man whose licks inspired not just the up-and-coming blues cats like Bibb back in the day, but the rock players of the ‘60s and ‘70s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXK6eDxX2Y4	✓
Jesper Lindell	Pretend I Never Happened	3614 Jackson Highway	Yep Roc Records	2025	Swedish singer-songwriter Jesper Lindell has released his cover of Willie Nelson’s “Pretend I Never Happened” from his forthcoming album 3614 Jackson Highway, out on CD, LP and digital platforms March 6 via Yep Roc Records. He recorded it at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama - the same studio where Willie recorded the original. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vB4D4Vrj7A	✓
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Marcus Trummer	ID - Marcus Trummer						㏄
Handsome Jack	Let's Go Downtown	Barnburners!	Alive Naturalsound Records	2026	Lockport, NY rock trio Handsome Jack released the second single “Let’s Go Downtown,” from their forthcoming album Barnburners! out Feb 6, 2026. Jamison Passuite tells us: “Every now and then everybody needs a moment to be themselves and wreak some havoc in their own way to their heart’s content. ‘Let’s Go Downtown’ is a rallying cry to let loose and do what feels good. So go ahead and boogie on.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmB0H6mnKVk	✓
Marshall Lawrence	If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day	If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day - single	Indie	2025	Marshall Lawrence has released a new single, a reinterpretation of Robert Johnson's “If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day” (2025), the second in a series of singles paying homage to the great veterans of the blues that helped shape the music he loves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RALzF_inwGM	✓	㏄
FEATURED NEW RELEASE
	Talk Time ID				Joe Bonamassa has released Vol. IV of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, five new tracks from the larger B.B. King centennial tribute project, which will arrive in full on February 6. New songs from the album are being released monthly and, in addition to the two below, the latest volume includes: When Love Comes To Town - the U2 song originally recorded by King with Bono. Josh Smith said, "The arrangement came together once Shemekia Copeland was chosen to take on King’s vocal role." The track also features Myles Kennedy (from Slash's band) singing Bono’s parts and Slash on guitar; Ain't Nobody Home feat Australian Jade MacRae & Robben Ford; You Upset Me Baby feat Chris Cain.
Joe Bonamassa	Paying The Cost To Be The Boss feat Christone "Kingfish" Ingram	B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 Vol lV	KTBA Records	2026	Josh Smith, “This was the first song we tracked, the first song we pitched and the first artist to deliver,”	✓
Joe Bonamassa	Don't Answer The Door feat Marcus King	B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 Vol lV	KTBA Records	2026	“This song was tracked already thinking about Marcus King,” Josh Smith said, recalling a jam session years earlier where King unexpectedly sang the tune.	✓
NEW CHRISTMAS RELEASES TO SET THE MOOD
	Talk Time ID				I received so much high quality new Xmas music this year that I thought I'd feature some of it ahead of my annual Xmas show, which will air next week.
Cat Wells Blues Band	Merry 'Lil Christmas	Christmas Live At Rosa's 2003	Indie	2025	Rose Sexsmith, owner of Rose’s Waterfront Pub (Kelowna, BC), invited local musicians to participate in a fund raiser for the Central Okanagan Child Development Association (COCDA). She asked that each band pick a standard Christmas song and re-arrange it to fit the bands style. This take on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was recorded live off the floor.	✓	㏄
Son Of Dave	I Like Surprises	I Like Surprises - single	Goddamn Records	2025	Every year, Son Of Dave (Benjamin Darvill) favours us with a new Christmas song. Here's what he had to say about this year's seasonal addition: "It's that time again. This year's Son Of Dave Xmas single (7th) is a trumpet schmoozy Latin grooved earworm with accompanying low budget video." https://youtu.be/PdgwEZT-BS8	✓	㏄
Will Wilde	Christmas Eve Blues	Christmas Eve Blues - single	Vizztone Label Group	2025	OK. Here's the label's blurb: ““Christmas Eve Blues” is a haunting minor-key lament echoing the spirit of Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green era. Centered on the pain of a Christmas Day breakup, Wilde’s mournful harp and soul-drenched vocals cut deep. A raw, timeless Christmas anthem for anyone who’s felt the blues while the world celebrates." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg8FrSeYi3U	✓
Allison August	Just Don't Feel Like Christmas	Just Don't Feel Like Christmas - single	MoMojo Records	2025	Allison writes: "In 2019, my 19 year old son moved to North Dakota for his first job as a firefighter. He called me a week before Christmas saying that he wouldn’t be able to come home for his Christmas Eve birthday or Christmas. It would be our first Christmas apart and we were both crushed. I told him that I would keep the tree, the lights and presents exactly as they were until he returned home. This song was to remind him of my promise." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2CRCUy-ON0 BONUS: The Story Behind The Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBNjDWyh_UY	✓
The Nola Blue Revue	Please Come Home for Christmas (feat. Benny Turner, Trudy Lynn & Lil Jimmy Reed)	Please Come Home for Christmas - single	NOLA Blue Records	2025	In celebration of Nola Blue Records' 10 Year Label Anniversary (2024), the touring Nola Blue Revue of Benny Turner, Trudy Lynn & Lil Jimmy Reed gathered to record this Christmas favorite.	✓
Lil' Red & The Rooster	Santa Baby (Naughty)	Santa Baby Lil' Naughty Mix	Lil Red Records	2025	Lil' Red & The Rooster's “Santa Baby” single, comes in two versions of the ending so you can pick your flavor of trouble. It starts at 2:56. Lil’ Naughty Mix — flirtatious dirty talk for Santa. (He’s blushing. You’re welcome.) AND Lil’ Nice Mix — a playful, joy-sparking scat that won’t get you on the naughty list… probably. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMWFA--DIcw	✓
	Basa Basa_CKUT Ad
Gina Coleman	ID - Gina Coleman
Misty Blues	Coal In My Stockings	Coal In My Stockings - single	Guitar One Records	2025	Gina Coleman confesses some of the transgressions that may have earned her a place on the naughty list.	✓
Johnny Vernazza	Christmas In Jail	Home By Christmas	Brainstem Music	2025	Originally conceived as a trio of singles, Vernazza felt the holiday glow and began working on a full-length album. This is his version of the Leroy Carr classic. The album is also a benefit for the American Cancer Society. "I've had three battles with cancer. I'm all good now but it's an ongoing thing."	✓
The Big Christmas Crew	Mexico Way Feat. Al Wood	Our 12 Month Christmas	Railroad Recording Company	2025	A baker's dozen of good Canadian boys & girls released their 17-song debut album, “Our 12 Month Christmas” under the name The Big Christmas Crew. The album title was inspired by the year long recording process. Each musician played on each other’s songs, adding solos, backing vocals, wholeheartedly bringing all of their ideas and talents to the table. The result is a vibrant and diverse record that captures the spirit of the holidays through multiple musical voices. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb3tqfHrnnY	✓	㏄
The Big Christmas Crew	But Santa, I Can Explain Feat. Lucas Haneman & Megan Laurence	Our 12 Month Christmas	Railroad Recording Company	2025	The Big Christmas Crew is: Laura Greenberg, David PJ Tettmar, Dylan Roberts, Lucas Haneman, Megan Laurence, Murray Kinsley, Al Wood, Tracy Howe, Lauren Casselman, Tom Henbest, Bogdan Gheorghe, Kristine St-Pierre, and Ken Workman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APYHae2fddk	✓	㏄
COMMEMORATING THIS WEEK IN BLUES HISTORY
	Talk Time ID				This Week In Blues History
Clara Smith	He's Mine, All Mine	Complete Recorded Works 1923 – 1932 Vol 2 (1924)	Document Records	1924	Recorded Dec 16, 1924 in New York City for Columbia Records. Also "Steel Drivin' Sam"
Clarence Williams' Blue Five & Eva Taylor	Shake That Thing	The Chronological Clarence Williams 1924-1926	MLP Recorded	1925	Recorded Dec 15, 1925 plus "Get It Fixed" in New York City for Okeh
Jelly Roll Morton	Animule Dance	Last Sessions The Complete General Recordings	UMG Recordings	1939	Recorded Dec 14, 1939 in New York City for the General label. Also Sporting House Rag (Perfect Rag), Original Rags, The Crave, The Naked Dance #2, Mister Joe, King Porter Stomp, and Winin' Boy Blues
Memphis Minnie	Fashion Plate Daddy	The Complete Post-War Recordings in Chronological Order: Vol. 1 (1944-1946)	Wolf Records International	1944	Recorded Dec 19, 1944 in Chicago plus "When You Love Me" and "Love Come And Go", all written by Ernest Lawlars
	Other Worlds on Earth_CKUT Show Promo
Terry Robb	ID - Terry Robb
Rufus Thomas	Bear Cat	Black Music Originals Vol. 1	Sun Records	1953	d. 2001-1215, MEMPHIS, TN 84 Blues Law: Hound Dog vs. Bear Cat almost sank Sun Records. https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2014/03/blues-law-hound-dog-vs-bear-cat/
Jimmy Nolen	Strollin' With Nolen [Alt.]	The Rhythm & Blues Years	Master Classics Records	1956	d. 1983-1218, ATLANTA, GA 49 (heart attack) English magazine Mojo ranks Nolen number twelve of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"			Slow Freight Back Home Slow Freight Back Home
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band	Tollin' Bells	The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw	Elektra	1967	b. 1942-1217, CHICAGO, IL
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Lucky Losers	ID - Lucky Losers
Pops Staples	Down in Mississippi	Peace to the Neighborhood	Pointblank	1992	d. 2000-1219, DOLTON, IL 85
Joe Bonamassa	Night Life feat. Paul Rodgers	B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100	KTBA Records	2026	Paul Rodgers b. 1949-1217, MIDDLESBROUGH, UK	✓
Downchild Blues Band	When I Say Jump	Gone Fishing	Stony Plain Records	1989	Richard "Hock" Walsh b. 1948-1219, TORONTO, ON		㏄
WHERE IT'S AT (MONTREAL EDITION)
	Talk Time ID				Live blues/roots for the week starting Dec 14 (and beyond). The full list is on the blog https://ckut.ca/music/
Midnight Boppers	Underneath the Mistletoe	Underneath the Mistletoe - single	Indie	2025	FRI DEC 19, 2025 AT 8 PM @ La Petite Marche 5035 Rue St-Denis, Montréal, QC https://www.facebook.com/events/1235324868359157/	✓	㏄

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