Month: December 2023

Welcome to Monday, Monday With The Beatles, David Crosby and Our ‘Out In The Cold’ Playlist, December 11, 2023

Good morning, workers! We’ve got a great day lined up for you musically starting with one of our House Bands known as The Beatles.

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Beatles: Songs With John Lennon on Keyboards NEW!

A listener suggested we expand our Beatles horizon with some new playlists, so we’re doing just that. Today we kick one off with Beatle songs with Mr. Lennon playing all kinds of keys, like piano, electric piano, harpsichord, Hammond organ and any other kind of keyboard instrument you might find.

3:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of David Crosby

Haven’t cued this one up in a bit, so we’ve got it lined up for mid-afternoon. Personality conflicts abound in musical groups, and CSNY was no exception. Yet they managed to leave us an incredible body of music, and David Crosby was an influence for more than half a century as a solo artist, with CSNY and as a founding member of The Byrds.

7:00 p.m. Out In The Cold: Various Artists

Not an EP, but a great playlist about the weather with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marshall Tucker Band, Bill Withers, The Beatles, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, Martha & The Vandellas and more!

Monday’s always better with good music, and we’ve got plenty of that here. We’re on 24/7; not just when we have scheduled programming. And we’re totally free to the public with no commercial interruption. Get on it! Don’t be left out in the cold (he, he, he).

Monday, Monday. (Sigh.)

Our Simple Sunday Fare Includes The Boogaloo Swamis With Our AOW and the ‘Color My World’ EP, December 10, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! We are here in the Boston area with temps of about 55 degrees slated for today, absurd for December in New England. People just seem to love the effects of global warming. That’s all I hear. Just wait. That’s all I can say.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Down At The Roadhouse by The Boogaloo Swamis NEW!

More than likely, you’ve never heard of this Boston-based band unless you have sought out Cajun and Zydeco music, but I learned about them at Johnny D’s Uptown, a favorite haunt of my youth. They are a fantastic band playing some of the best New Orleans sounds on the planet. These days, you can only get their music on Ebay or Discogs. We have been on a search for more, and we’ve finally found some. It’s on the way. Get ready by listening to this great album.

3:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

Primary colors are a popular topic in the music world. We’ve got an entire EP about color from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Donovan, Booker T & The MG’s, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Joni Mitchell, The Who, Amy Winehouse, Sam & Dave, Badfinger, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, J.D. Souther, Linda Ronstadt and more!

Sunday’s here. A day of rest. If you believe in The Big Guy, he even took the day off. So, do it. And while you’re doing it, listen to some great music. This is the place to be. There’s absolutely no charge; there are no commercials; and there is no red tape. Just push the button below.

Just Push Play.

Saturday Brings Maria Muldaur’s AOW, Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP and Jesse Winchester as Our Singer-Songwriter, December 9, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! We have arrived at the weekend. Today we bid farewell to Maria Muldaur’s AOW, give you five hours of Motown and Jesse Winchester as our featured singer-songwriter.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Richland Woman Blues by Maria Muldaur FINAL AIRING!

Today we bid farewell to this great blues album by Maria Muldaur and her friends (Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastian, Tracy Nelson and so many more).

11:00 a.m. M Is For Motown: Various Artists

We’ve got all the artists that put Motown on the map, including Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Eddie Holland, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Kim Weston, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Contours, Rare Earth, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more!

8:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Jesse Winchester NEW!

The first time I saw Jesse Winchester he opened for Emmylou Harris at the Music Hall in Boston. The next time I saw him, he was the headliner at the same venue. I loved him both times. Jesse Winchester was a quiet star in the music business, an exceptional songwriter respected by his peers who found their own voice through Winchester’s songs, like Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia and so many more.

It’s the weekend, peeps! I’ve got one more day, then I’ve got Sunday and Monday for my weekend. The Music Mermaid will keep the ship on course while I’m away.

M Is For Motown!

Friday It’s ‘The Complete Trio Sessions,’ Randy Newman, and Our New ‘Unbroken Circle’ Playlist, December 8, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We have officially made it to Friday and we’re whooping it up with some fine female country singers today. The only break in the programming is our final airing of Randy Newman as our featured singer-songwriter.

Here’s your end-of-the-work-week lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Complete Trio Sessions: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris

We open the programming with the only female supergroup I know of in music history. But, of course, the music world media is like the mainstream media: They never actually call Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton (otherwise known as ‘Trio’) a supergroup even thought they fit every criteria for the term. So we will call them a supergroup, and moreover, they are right up there with The Traveling Wilburys. Today, you’ll get the full magilla: Remixes, outtakes, alternative versions, remasters and more!

3:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Randy Newman FINAL AIRING!

Randy Newman takes his final turn as our featured singer-songwriter for the week. Tomorrow we’ll have a new selection.

8:00 p.m. The Unbroken Circle: The Music of Rosanne Cash & Carlene Carter NEW!

Here we have stepsisters with an incredible country music pedigree in Johnny Cash and June Carter, and they have continued their family legacy admirably. We are definitely fans here in The Mermaid Lounge and we’re happy to share this great new playlist with you today.

We have made it to the end of the work week. Sort of. For some of us. Retail never really ends, particularly at this time of year. But I digress. The real news here is that we’re on 24/7 and are completely free of charge every single day. We have no ideas who you are or what your buying patterns are because we don’t sell anything to you. And neither does anyone else.

The Country Ladies Are Here!

The British Invasion is Back, So is Maria Muldaur. And Happy Birthday, Little Richard, Thursday, December 7, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! As I prepare to depart for my final opening morning of the week, I give you our musical lineup for the day. The Music Mermaid is in charge.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The British Are Coming: Various Artists

I made reference to The British Invasion in the opening, but this playlist goes beyond that. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Who, Dave Mason, Electric Light Orchestra, Petula Clark, The Zombies, The Hollies, Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Kinks, Dave Clark Five, Bee Gees, Moody Blues, Rod Stewart, George Harrison, Them, Herman’s Hermits, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Badfinger, The Yardbirds, Traffic, Elton John, Lulu, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Spencer Davis Group, Cream, The Rolling Stones, Donovan, The Searchers and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Richland Woman Blues by Maria Muldaur

Maria Muldaur is another of those female singers of the sixties and seventies who refused to be pigeon-holed into one style of music. She drops by today with a great blues album with help from Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastian and others.

7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Little Richard HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of the founders of rock and roll, Little Richard, who influenced so many of the British artists you’ll hear in today’s EP (including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones).

Well, kids, it’s another day of great music here in The Mermaid Lounge and we think you should take full advantage of it. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free of charge. Get on it!

Just Push Play!

We’re at Midweek With the ‘What’s In a Name’ EP, Randy Newman and John Fogerty, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Today we’ve got songs about names, Randy Newman as our featured singer-songwriter and John Fogerty ‘live’ from Royal Albert Hall.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. What’s In a Name: Various Artists

What’s in a name? Ask Shakespeare. Or ask Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Them, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Donovan, Steve Winwood Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, Carly Simon, Warren Zevon, Laura Nyro, Bobbie Gentry, The Kinks, Three Dog Night, The Association, Joni Mitchell, Badfinger, Linda Ronstadt, Steely Dan, Chi Coltrane, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Tony Joe White and more!

4:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Randy Newman

Randy Newman is back for his second airing as our featured singer-songwriter for the week.

8:00 p.m. John Fogerty Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, June 24, 2008 NEW!

When John Fogerty appeared at this performance in 2008, it was his first time returning to that venue since Creedence played there in 1971 and, believe me, it was well worth the wait.

We’re officially at hump day. It’s all downhill toward the weekend from here, folks. And that can only mean good things for all of us. Am I right? Well?

Midweek Music!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With The Ladies, Maria Muldaur and ‘Live’ John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Later, December 5, 2023

Good morning, bluesologists! We have a Blues trifecta going on today because Maria Muldaur’s AOW delivers the blues in style with help from her friends! Read on!

Here’s your bluesy lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Sing The Blues: Various Artists

The ladies own the lounge to kick off Tuesday Bluesday. You’ll hear Billie Holliday, Big Mama Thornton, Ruth Brown, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Christine McVie, Marcia Ball, Ellen McIlwaine, Susan Tedeschi, Irma Thomas, Tracy Nelson, Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, Shawn Murphy, Angela Strehli, Aretha Franklin, Maria Muldaur, The Blues Broads and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Richland Woman Blues by Maria Muldaur

Maria Muldaur drops by with some of her friends, like Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Nelson, John Sebastian and others, to deliver the blues in style.

7:00 p.m. John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Live at Kongresshalle, Berlin, Germany, May 21, 1969

We close out Tuesday Bluesday with a great live performance by the Bluesbreakers in Germany.

It’s always a busy day on Tuesday. It’s like the Prince Spaghetti Day of the blues, so why not tune us in for a spell? It won’t cost you a cent. EVER.

It’s Tuesday Bluesday!

It’s Bob Marley & The Wailers, ZZ Top and Linda Ronstadt (& Some Stone Poneys) on This Rainy Monday, December 4, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! If you have Monday off like I do and it’s rainy where you are like it is here, this is the perfect day to hunker down with some great music. And we’ve got it here.

Here’s your musical Monday:

10:00 a.m. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, October 13, 1973

We start out the day with some Reggae vibes from the singer-songwriter who helped put Reggae on the map worldwide and his great band, The Wailers.

3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of ZZ Top

We haven’t heard this one in a while. We’ve dusted this great ZZ Top Spotlight off and are ready for it this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. A Linda Ronstadt Retrospective: The Stone Poneys & The Early Solo Years

We take a trip in the Wayback Machine for this one as we feature the Queen of Rock’s early years with and without the Stone Poneys. Ronstadt paved the way for women, controlling her own career from the very start and defying those who told her what she should or should not sing. I think we can all agree it was quite a career.

We’re ready for the music today. I’m in The Lounge all day. No retail hell; no pushy, nasty Christmas customers (thankfully, we don’t get many of those). The festivities start at 11:00 a.m. but the music is 24/7.

Monday, Monday.

It’s Simply Sunday Here and Maria Muldaur Owns Our AOW and ‘Travelin’ Fever’ is the EP, Then It’s Open Stream on December 3, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! We’ve got another simple Sunday on tap here in The Mermaid Lounge with light programming and plenty of wide Open Stream.

Here’s your musical lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Richland Woman Blues by Maria Muldaur NEW!

Maria Muldaur is undoubtedly one of the most underappreciated singers of her generation, hanging out with her peers Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt, among others. They knew who to tap for background and harmony vocals, and vice versa. On this release, she works with some of the best, including Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastian (founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful), Taj Mahal, and fellow blues singers Angela Strehli and Tracy Nelson.

3:00 p.m. Travelin’ Fever: Various Artists

We’re back on the road with some of our musical friends, including Canned Heat, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, the Steve Miller Band, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Doors, The Eagles, Little Feat, The Band, Willie Nelson, Edwin Starr, Janis Joplin, Guy Clark, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Asleep at The Wheel, The Traveling Wilburys, Mudcrutch, Loggins & Messina, Buffalo Springfield, Tom Rush, The Guess Who, Ray Charles, the Marshall Tucker Band, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and more!

It’s the official day of rest here on planet earth, so take some time off and open your ears to the music. Turn off that football game and those softball political football, like Meet the Press, and sink your teeth into the music.

Travelin’ Fever!

Saturday Brings Sam Cooke, Our ‘Water, Water Everywhere’ EP and Randy Newman Later On, December 2, 2023

We’ve successfully gotten to Saturday and we’ve got the final airing of our AOW, songs about water (which comprises 71% of planet earth), and Randy Newman is our new featured singer-songwriter.

Here’s today’s musical extravaganza:

9:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Ain’t That Good News by Sam Cooke FINAL AIRING!

It’s the final airing of Sam Cooke’s featured album. Tomorrow we’ll have a brand new selection here.

11:00 a.m. Water, Water Everywhere: Various Artists

Once again, we’ve got songs about water…one of the most important components of human existence in all its forms. You’ll hear Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Otis Redding, The Doobie Brothers, Valerie Carter, Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Al Green, Loggins & Messina, Linda Ronstadt, Spirit, The Grass Roots, The Beach Boys, Lindisfarne, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Steely Dan, Tom Rush, Donovan, America, Johnny Rivers and more!

8:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Randy Newman NEW!

Truly one of the most prolific writers of his generation, he is like Laura Nyro in the sense that he has provided material for many, many singers. Linda Ronstadt recorded Feels Like Home and Sail Away, Three Dog Night recorded Mama Told me Not To Come, Irma Thomas recorded Baby Don’t Look Down, and there were many others. He has also scored nine Disney-Pixar movies. On top of all that, Randy Newman has had his own successful solo career writing songs about the human condition and with some wry sarcasm at times. He’s a favorite here.

The weekend is here and this is your landing spot for excellent music 24/7 at no charge to the human race. Just push the button below and see for yourself.

Just Push Play. Ok?