Category: Acoustic Music

On Friday It’s The Band ‘Live’ in Asbury Park, Elvis Costello, John Prine and Joni ‘Live’ in Cali, February 16, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We have a busy Friday on tap for you all today with a great collection of artists sprinkeled into our big, wide Open Stream.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Elvis Costello FINAL AIRING!

Elvis Costello takes his final turn as this week’s featured singer-songwriter. We’ll have a new artist for you on Monday.

12:00 p.m. The Band Live at The Casino Arena, Asbury Park, NJ, July 20, 1976

The Band is very simply one of the best ever bands on the popular music scene. They started as Bob Dylan’s back-up band and became one of the most influential musical entities of their time. If we added a new House Band, it would be these guys.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of John Prine

We’re dusting this baby off as we have been remiss. Mr. Prine is one fine singer-songwriter and a man who is most respected by his peers. He always had a unique outlook on life and his wry and sometimes sarcastic viewpoints were part of his charm.

8:00 p.m. Joni Mitchell Live at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA, September 9, 1979

We close things out by taking a trip back with Joni Mitchell to her 1979 Shadows and Light Tour. I was lucky enough to see that tour as it passed through Boston.

We have a great lineup today as we toy with expanding programming and, perhaps, even into the wee hours of the morning. It’s a work in progress. One thing that will not change, however, is the fact that we are totally free 24/7 with no commercial interruptions.

Friday is Here!

It’s a Busy Monday With ‘Working Songs’, Rickie Lee Jones, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello, February 12, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! I was a bit overexuberant last night and went off the ledge on scheduling today. (We’re actually exploring a bit of late-night programming for our overseas listeners!)

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Working Songs: Various Artists

Quite appropriate on a Monday morning as the work week begins. You’ll hear from The Staple Singers, Van Morrison, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Lennon, Slim Harpo, Neil Young, Jim Croce, Little Feat, Bob Dylan, Jesse Winchester, Maria Muldaur and more!

4:00 p.m.  In The Spotlight: The Music of Rickie Lee Jones

Over five decades this great singer-songwriter has recorded songs in a variety genres, including jazz, rock, pop, soul and R&B.

7:00 p.m.  Van Morrison Live at The Bottom Line, New York, NY, November 1, 1978

Van the Man is a staple around these parts. We haven’t heard him for a while, so we thought it was about time we break him out of mothballs.

10:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Elvis Costello NEW!

Here we have another great Elvis, but it’s Costello. You can love him or hate him, but the man broke barriers and is a hell of a singer-songwriter. He’s one of the very few of his generation that I actually listen to.

Another Monday in paradise…at least for me since my “weekends” fall on Sunday-Monday. We’ve got some great music today and we’re toying with late-night programming. We’ll see how it goes. Our overnight listeners are generally outside the U.S. Give us a listen.

Just Push Play. Please. And Thank You.

The Week’s End Brings ‘The Best of Reggae & Ska’, Dan Fogelberg and ‘Live’ Bob Dylan in ’63, Friday, February 2, 2024

Good morning, Dylan historians. We close out the week with some brand new Bob Dylan in a historic concert right here in my state! Read on!

Here’s your Friday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m.  The Best of Reggae & Ska: Various Artists

We start the day off with some great reggae, ska and rocksteady with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Prince Buster, Judy Mowatt, Jimmy Cliff, Basil Gabbidon, The Rhythm Aces, Derrick Morgan, Laurel Aitken, Toots & The Maytals, Count Lasher, The Jiving Juniors, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Desmond Decker & The Aces, The I-Threes, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Dan Fogelberg FINAL AIRING!

Dan Fogelberg gets his final airing as our featured singer-songwriter for the week, but his music is in our standard rotation and you’ll hear him frequently here. A new artist will be introduced on Monday!

8:00 p.m.  Bob Dylan Live at The First Brandeis Folk Festival, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, May 10, 1963 NEW!

It is said that this was Bob Dylan’s final show before stardom; happening two weeks before the release of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Dylan (21 years old at the time) performed two seven-song sets on that day, and they were recorded. The tapes sat for half a century in the basement of Rolling Stone co-founder Ralph Gleason. Yes, it’s just seven songs, but it’s musical history in the making.

Join us today. I don’t mind telling you that, not only are we missing our winters here, but this year it has been like moving to London. It’s yet another unseasonably warm, cloudy dreary day. But it seems like, on the horizon, we have some sun coming for an extended period. Just. No. Snow. And that ain’t right in these parts.

Dylan at Brandeis ’63

Welcome Weekenders! We’ve Got Jackson Browne, Our House EP and ‘Live’ Dan Fogelberg, Saturday, January 27, 2024

Good morning and welcome to the weekend here! Today we say farewell to our Album of The Week, hear the music that inspired the station and ‘live’ Dan Fogelberg later.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m.  Album of The Week: Late For The Sky by Jackson Browne FINAL AIRING!

Today we say farewell to the first album in our ’50th Birthday’ series. Tomorrow we will celebrate another album’s 50th!

11:30 a.m. The #BecomeUngovernable House EP: Various Artists

The music that has long been emblazoned in my psyche and was the impetus to start this whole thing. You’ll hear Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, T. Rex, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Country Joe & The Fish, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Joan Baez, CSNY, Pink Floyd, The Animals, Ten Years After, The Plastic Ono Band, Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Three Dog Night, Jimmy Cliff, Richie Havens, Marvin Gaye, The Association, Phil Ochs, Tom Rush, Pete Seeger, The Band, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin and more!

8:00 p.m.  Dan Fogelberg Live at The Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles, CA, August 15, 1985

The very first Spotlight list we built was for this guy, a most underappreciated singer-songwriter; one of the best of his generation. He belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but that honor seems to have eluded him, in spite of the fact that they’ve managed to induct The BeeGees, Funkadelic, AC/DC, The Clash, Aerosmith, Tupac, Jay-Z and the other “stars” of music. Fogelberg has been ‘eligible’ since 1998; it’s 2024, folks. Figure it the fuck out.

Sorry. Had to get that out. It pissed me off how long it took for them to induct Linda Ronstadt. They waited until she lost her magnificent voice. Give me a break. Anyway, I digress. We are here. It’s our third day of rain. Gloomy. But not here in The Lounge where The Music Mermaid resides. She’ll be in charge today as I work my last shift of the week.

Our ‘House’ EP!

We’re at Midweek With a Focus on Folk Music, and a Visit From Delbert McClinton, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Good morning, folk-ologists! We’re focused on folk today as we open and close with folk music pioneers and those who continue to support the genre.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m.  Folk Music From A-To-Z: Various Artists

Today we salute the pioneers of folk, those who have kept the genre flourishing, and those who pay it homage. You’ll hear John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Led Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, James Taylor, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, Neil Young and more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Delbert McClinton

Delbert stops by at 4:00 p.m. for his second spin as our featured singer-songwriter.

8:00 p.m.  In The Spotlight: The Music of Ian & Sylvia NEW!

Ian & Sylvia was a true folk duo that performed together from 1959 to 1975; after moving to Nashville, they were also instrumental in helping the country-rock genre take hold. They were pretty well respected in their time, but have somehow fallen through the cracks. But today, we put them In The Spotlight where they belong.

Another day is here and we’re delivering the musical goods as usual. We’re totally free of charge and free of advertising. It’s all about the music.

Folk Music Extravaganza!

We’re at Midweek With ‘Here Comes The Night’, Al Green, and Linda Ronstadt Live in Los Angeles, Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We are already at hump day. We’re over this, and we are on the downslide to the weekend once again! We have a great lineup for you today!

Here Comes The Night!

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m.  Here Comes The Night: Various Artists

Songs about the night time, which is the right time, in the title, lyrics or both. You’ll hear Warren Zevon, J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Them, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Ronettes, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Doors, Emmylou Harris, Poco, Neil Diamond, The Animals, The Band, The Rolling Stones, Don McLean, Steve Winwood, Cat Stevens, The Traveling Wilburys, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Raitt and more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Al Green

The Reverend Al is back for his second spin as this week’s featured singer-songwriter.

8:00 p.m.  Linda Ronstadt Live at The Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles, CA, October 3, 1977

The legendary singer, The Queen of Rock, played 12 consecutive sold-out nights at the famed location in 1977 in support of her Simple Dreams album. We’ve got one of them for you tonight.

Every day is a great day to join a global crowd on #BecomeUngovernable Radio. We are on 24/7 at no charge and with no commercial interruption. We’re all about the music.

We’re at Midweek!

It’s Simply Sunday With Kris Kristofferson’s New AOW and the ‘Music From Laurel Canyon’ EP, January 14, 2024

Good morning and welcome to yet another simple Sunday here in The Mermaid Lounge as we give you a great new Album of The Week and spin the music from the fabled Laurel Canyon, the birthplace of country-rock.

Here’s your musical lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Jesus Was A Capricorn by Kris Kristofferson NEW!

This was Kristofferson’s fourth studio album released in 1972. Every response to the album was mixed, but his out-of-character religious song Why Me became a number one hit. How the song came about is explained here. Nevertheless, I loved the album and, in spite of the fact that the title song was released then faded, I think it’s one of his best.

3:00 p.m.  Music From Laurel Canyon: Various Artists

We’re back visiting the inhabitants of Laurel Canyon, the birthplace of country-rock, a fertile creative landscape for two generations of musicians (sixties, seventies). You’ll hear The Byrds, The Mamas & The Papas, Buffalo Springfield, The Beach Boys, The Doors, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, CSNY, Manassas, John Mayall, The Eagles, J.D. Souther, Harry Nilsson, Canned Heat, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, James Taylor, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and more. Best of all, this one’s due for an update soon!

Here we are again together on a Simple Sunday of music and relaxation. All you need is a computer and a mouse. The rest is easy.

It’s Simply Sunday

Another Simply Sunday Brings Our AOW by Loggins & Messina and the ‘What’s In a Name’ Multi-Artist EP, January 7, 2024

Yes, I will admit that there are times when I’m still writing ‘2023’ on stuff but, in spite of my encroaching old age, I’m doing better than I was last year at this time! (And that’s a good sign.)

Here’s your Sunday funday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Sittin’ In by Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina NEW!

I have a lot of fond musical memories of these guys; put simply, they just made some great music. This was originally intended as a Loggins solo album, but Jim Messina was brought in as the producer and started writing some songs, playing instruments and singing background. The original (correct) title is Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin’ In, by the way. However, after that? They became Loggins & Messina and put out a string of great albums. We’ve got one today.

3:00 p.m.  What’s In a Name: Various Artists

An EP with names in songs. You know, like Ode to Billie Joe. Or Alison. Or Gloria. There are many, and we’ve got a bunch from The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, 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 and many more!

The snow continues to fall outside The Mermaid Lounge, but we can’t get no respect here. Winters are not what they used to be, even in the Boston area. But it’s cozy and filled with good music here. Best of all, I don’t have to move an inch until Tuesday. Join us.

Simply Sunday!

Saturday Brings ‘The Female Species’ EP, Emmylou Harris, and Jimmy Reed as Our Singer-Songwriter, December 30, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! It’s yet another gloomy, rainy day here in the Boston area with no real snow in sight. Ho. Hum. But, the good new is that the music is outstanding as we close out 2023 and head into a new year this weekend!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m.  The Female Species: Various Artists

Not songs by women (although some certainly are), but songs about women, ladies, chicks, girls…you get the idea here. You’ll hear Tom Petty & The Hearbreakers, Talking Heads, Jackson Browne, The Boogaloo Swamis, John Mayall, Hot Tuna, The Eagles, Elvis Presley, Electric Light Orchestra, Fleetwood Mac, Percy Sledge, The Beatles, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, America, Roy Orbison, Billy Joel, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt and more!

4:00 p.m.  Album of The Week: Evangeline by Emmylou Harris FINAL AIRING!

We bid farewell to Evangeline today, one of the most underrated of Emmylou Harris’ albums. Seems that albums that are collections of just plain great songs isn’t enough these days. There must be a theme, or a message or…whatever. It’s music, man.

8:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Jimmy Reed NEW!

An unlikely ‘superstar’ of the blues world, singer-songwriter Jimmy Reed made the blues accessible to all. His unique voice and guitar style made him a favorite of blues fans and non-blues fans alike. Give a listen.

Here we all are as I plan for my final work day of the week. The Music Mermaid will take control here within the hour and is ready to guide you through a great day of music. We’re on 24/7. We’re totally free. And there’s no commercial advertising.

Counting Down To 2024!

Friday Brings ‘The Best of Reggae & Ska’ Playlist, Hank Williams’ Final Spin and ‘Live’ Dr. John, December 29, 2023

Good morning and welcome to the end of the work week! We’ve got a great eclectic lineup ready to go today, so tune us in!

Here’s your musical landscape:

10:00 a.m. The Best of Reggae, Rocksteady & Ska: Various Artists

We’re back with our reggae, ska and rocksteady playlist featuring Bob Marley & The Wailers, Prince Buster, Judy Mowatt, Jimmy Cliff, Basil Gabbidon, The Rhythm Aces, Derrick Morgan, Laurel Aitken, Count Lasher, The Jiving Juniors, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Desmond Dekker & The Aces, The I-Threes, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals and more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Hank Williams FINAL AIRING!

We bid a fond farewell to Hank Williams as this week’s featured singer-songwriter, but rest assured he is a big part of our standard rotation. We’ll have a new artist on Saturday.

8:00 p.m.  Dr. John Live at The Lonestar, New York, NY, December 22 & 23, 1986 NEW!

We have a new-to-the-station live performance from The Nitetripper, vintage 1986 in New York City.

Every day is a good day here in The Mermaid Lounge. We don’t play any bad music. We don’t charge you to listen to our station, we don’t track you, ask you for personal info or a credit card. We’re all about the music.

The Best of Reggae & Ska!