Category: Albums

Saturday Delivers Our ‘Water, Water Everywhere’ EP, the Final Airing of “McCartney” and LIVE DEAD! Later, June 25, 2022

Good Morning, Musicologists! It’s going to be a hot one outside today, and we’ll be matching that in The Mermaid Lounge with some great programming interspersed in all that wide Open Stream.

Cool your jets with ‘Water, Water Everywhere’ starting at 11:00 a.m.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

It’s promising to be a hot one here to day in the Boston area, so we’re inside cooling off with some music about all kinds of water. You’ll hear from Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Otis Redding, Neil Young, Elton John, The Doobie Brothers, Valerie Carter, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Al Green, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Loggins & Messina, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Linda Ronstadt, Spirit, The Grass Roots, The Beach Boys, Lindisfarne, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Steely Dan, Tom Rush, Johnny Rivers, America, Donovan, and many more!

7:00 p.m. Album of The Week: McCartney by Paul McCartney FINAL AIRING!

We bid a very fond farewell to this first solo Beatle effort today from one of the greatest musicians of all time. He’s still out there touring and singing and thrilling audiences everywhere. But alas, this is the final airing.

10:00 p.m. LIVE DEAD! The Grateful Dead Live at The Dream Bowl, Vallejo, CA, February 22, 1969 NEW!

Mr. Peabody put us in the Wayback Machine for this one, vintage 1969 and another new show added to our list of Live Dead performances.

Here in The Mermaid Lounge, we have two strict rules: We never have more hours of programming than we do Open Stream. And we never charge for the music we play. We also don’t require you fill anything out or provide us with any personal information. Hell, we don’t even track you. We’re too damned busy finding new music.

Just Push Play!

I Know. The Start of Summer Was a Few Days Ago. We’re Kicking It Off Today With The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and “McCartney,” Thursday, June 23, 2022

Good Morning, Musicologists! Yes, I know we’re a bit late on the uptake here. The first day of summer was a few days ago. But hey, we don’t stand on ceremony here. We thought The Beach Boys would be a nice touch.

Here’s your lineup for today:

11:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Beach Boys

We haven’t heard this one in a while. It’s a very modest kick-off to summer here in The Mermaid Lounge, but we’ve got something else in the works that should be ready in the next day or two. In the meantime, these guys know how to make it feel like summer for some reason. Maybe it’s all in the name. And Brian Wilson is a musical genius. Even Paul McCartney and Linda Ronstadt think so.

3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: McCartney by Paul McCartney

This is our next-to-last airing of this iconic solo debut by McCartney. Over the years, it has become one of the most revered solo debuts by any musical artist. The final airing will be some time on Saturday. Sunday will bring a new selection.

7:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL, April 19, 2003

Great concert here in what can be considered a small venue. The Heartbreakers played a lot of large halls in their day, but they always preferred small, intimate settings. IMO, it didn’t matter where they played. They were one of the best live bands in the history of rock n’ roll.

Great day to be here with us. I know I say that every single day, in one way or another, but it’s true. This is where the music never stops. We run 24/7 totally free of charge with absolutely no strings attached. Your money is no good here. Know what I mean?

Open 24/7!

It’s Another Tuesday Bluesday and We’ve Got Koko Taylor In the Spotlight, and Some Live Buddy Guy with Stevie Ray Vaughan Later, On this First Day of Summer, June 21, 2022

Good Morning, Bluesologists! We’re back for another Tuesday Bluesday and we have some new blues today as we add the late, great Koko Taylor to our Spotlight list. And later it’s two great blues guitarists together live.

Today we put the great Koko Taylor In the Spotlight!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

11:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Koko Taylor NEW!

There’s no doubt about it: Koko Taylor is a blues powerhouse whose musical style encompassed Chicago blues, electric blues, rhythm & blues, and soul blues. She’s often called the Queen of The Blues, just as Aretha is called The Queen of Soul and Irma Thomas is called The Soul Queen of New Orleans. Come to think of it, that would make a fucking great playlist. But I digress because today, we put Koko Taylor In the Spotlight where she belongs.

3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: McCartney by Paul McCartney

Our only break in our blues programming today is to hear Sir Paul’s iconic 1970 debut album. The simple beginnings of an amazing post-Beatles career that’s still going strong as he turns 80 this week.

7:00 p.m. Buddy Guy & Stevie Ray Vaughan Live at The Lone Star Cafe, New York, April 14, 1986

Two blues guitar masters together is a real treat, and we close out our Tuesday Bluesday programming today with them live at the Lone Star Cafe in New York.

Tuesday Bluesday here in The Mermaid Lounge is always a great take. Make this the day to join your friends from Germany, Switzerland, Norway, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Russian Federation, Chile, Australia, Texas, New York, North Carolina, Flori-DUH and points beyond.

Tuesday Bluesday!

McCartney’s Solo Debut is Our Album of The Week, and We’ve Got ‘The Psychedelic Express’ Rolling Through Later, Sunday, June 19, 2022

The Psychedelic Express rolls through this afternoon!

Here’s your Sunday line-up:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: McCartney by Paul McCartney NEW!

Released on April 17, 1970, this was the very first Beatle solo album. Of course, people were absolutely pissed that the Beatles had broken up, so it took a while for people to warm up to this one, but over the years it has become one of the most beloved albums of all time. I also look back now and remember that the album was criticized for what appeared to be “unfinished” tunes. Now, alternate takes, unfinished versions, home recordings and all of the progressions to the final product are literally an art form. I remember the angst of millions that The Beatles were gone, and I suspect a lot of the criticism came from the fact that they broke up to begin with. The blame game was being played. I, too, was upset that The Beatles were no more, but as I got older I realized that bands break up all the damned time. I also know that The Beatles gave us all they had in the tank. They changed everything in a very short period of time, and the band’s music is timeless. That’s also the way I look at them as solo artists as well.

4:00 p.m. The Psychedelic Express: Various Artists

Psychedelic music is one of my most favorite genres of all time, so I’m looking forward to this one myself! Even bands not know as “psychedelic” bands tried their hand at this genre. You’ll hear Vanilla Fudge, The Chambers Brothers, The Beatles, The Electric Prunes, The Animals, Jefferson Airplane, Blues Image, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Donovan, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Traffic, Cream, Dr. John, Procol Harum, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Canned Heat, Tommy James & The Shondells, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Mudcrutch, Blind Faith, Grateful Dead, Big Brother & The Holding Company, The Velvet Underground, The Rolling Stones, and more!

Sunday. It’s a day of rest all across the globe. Pull up a chair and tune us in. We’re on 24/7 (not just when we have programming), we’re totally free, and we never air commercial advertising. What are you waiting for?

The Psychedelic Express!

It’s Saturday with a Happy 80th McCartney Celebration, the Final Airing of Our AOW, Our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP and LIVE DEAD! Later, on June 18, 2022

Good Morning, Music Lovers! We’ve got a great lineup for you today and it’s a bit busier here in The Lounge than usual because we’ve got McCartney’s 80th birthday celebration later on.

Happy 80th Birthday to Sir Paul McCartney!

Here’s today’s musical journey:

10:00 a.m. Folk Music From A-To-Z: Various Artists

We begin the programming day with this great extended playlist that includes tunes from John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, 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, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, James Taylor, The Carter Family, Jesse Winchester, Joni Mitchell, The Stone Poneys, Phil Ochs, Linda Ronstadt, Harry Chapin and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: American Tune by Eva Cassidy FINAL AIRING!

Today we bid a fond farewell to this week’s Album of The Week by the late, great Eva Cassidy who, unfortunately, didn’t live long enough to see her success. Don’t miss this collection of rehearsal tunes and live performances.

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Paul McCartney

Today we say happy 80th birthday to a true musical living legend who’s still rocking away on his ‘Got Back’ tour. We’ve got Beatles’ stuff, solo performances, his stint with Wings…it’s all here for a couple of hours tonight.

10:00 p.m. LIVE DEAD! The Grateful Dead Live at Summer Jam, Watkins Glen, New York, July 28, 1973

Tonight’s LIVE DEAD! is a rare repeat, but it hasn’t been aired since 2020, so it should sound just like new to those of you who aren’t Deadheads (and they don’t care how many times they hear a Grateful Dead show; it’s all new to them).

We’re chock full of stuff today and we think you’ll like it. There’s no better way to kick start your weekend than with the little radio station that could. (I think I like that.) There are, of course, some things we just can’t do, like play rap and screaming heavy metal death, charge for listening, or play commercial advertising. But we’re pretty damned good with everything else.

The Little Radio Station That Could.

We’re Sliding Toward The Weekend With Bobbie Gentry & Some Friends at BBC Studios, Our ‘Rock, Blues & Ballads’ Playlist, and our AOW, Thursday, June 16, 2022

Good Morning, Musicologists. We’ve got some great new stuff to start off the day today as we’ve discovered a Bobbie Gentry BBC Studios performance with a couple of friends along for support.

A couple of friends dropped by to help Bobbie Gentry out with her BBC Studios show

Here’s Thursday’s lineup:

11:00 a.m. Bobbie Gentry Live at The BBC Studios, London, 1968-1969 NEW!

This was a great find, given the fact that Bobbie Gentry was always a bit reclusive and shunned the limelight. She just wanted to write songs for other people. But she did perform live music, and she did so at BBC Studios in 1968 and 1969. Maybe she brought Donovan and James Taylor along for moral support! We’re glad she did!

3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: American Tune by Eva Cassidy

We’re winding down on this week’s album selection as we’ve reached our next-to-last airing here. The final will be sometime on Saturday. Don’t wait too long!

7:00 p.m. Rock, Blues and Ballads, Volume One: Various Artists

I know. It’s about time I got volume two together. And I totally agree, so it’s on my weekend list. But this one’s pretty damned good and we haven’t heard it in a while. You’ll hear Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, Van Morrison, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Raitt, J.J. Cale, Dusty Springfield, Neil Young, Paul McCartney & Wings, Long John Baldry, Randy Newman, Maria Muldaur, Ry Cooder, Gregg Allman, Linda Ronstadt, and more!

We’re sliding steadily toward the weekend here in The Mermaid Lounge, although I’ll grant you it’s not getting here fast enough this week. But good music goes a long way toward making the work week easier, so give us a shot. Because we play some seriously good shit with absolutely no commercial interruption, no chatty disc jockeys who’d rather talk than play music, or cost to you. Not one penny. And we’re open 24/7. What more do you want?

Open 24/7!

On Tuesday Bluesday We Intro Our New ‘Best of Chicago Blues’ EP and Our Second Airing of Eva Cassidy’s AOW, June 14, 2022

It’s Tuesday Bluesday and we’ve finally converted our Chicago Blues playlist into an EP with the addition of new cuts and artists. We also give you Eva Cassidy later.

Today we debut our expanded ‘Best of Chicago Blues’ EP!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

11:00 a.m. The Best of Chicago Blues: Various Artists UPDATED & EXPANDED!

We’ve been threatening to do this, and it finally came to fruition over the weekend. Our Chicago Blues playlist has now grown up and is an EP! We’ve added all new cuts and some new artists. You’ll hear Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon Albert King, Little Walter, Koko Taylor, Lowell Fulson, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Son Seals, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Otis Spann and more! This is now just over five hours of uninterrupted blues!

7:00 p.m. Album of The Week: American Tune by Eva Cassidy

The second airing of this great posthumously-released album is upon us. It’s a collection of rehearsal songs and live cuts from a woman who passed from our realm far too soon.

We’re on simple mode today as we debut our new extended playlist. We’ve also got some new Tuesday Bluesday surprises coming up as we gear up for summer! You’re going to like it around here as we move forward with some new music and new playlists. And we’re totally free. We’re a labor of musical love.

Best of Chicago Blues!

Happy Sunday From the Mermaid Lounge Where the Women of Music Own Today’s Programming, June 12, 2022

Good Morning, Folks! It’s Sunday and that’s an official day of rest. If you’re a believer in The Big Guy in the Sky, remember that even he (or she) took today off. The women of music will not be taking today off here. They are fully in charge.

Ladies Day Out starts at 3:00 p.m. EST!

Here’s your Sunday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: American Tune by Eva Cassidy NEW!

Eva Cassidy was a woman of extraordinary talent with a beautiful voice, and she died far too soon for most people to even know about her. ‘we here learned about her posthumously from a friend. This album is a really interesting album for its time. This kind of album is commonplace now, but it wasn’t so common at the time of its release. It’s a collection of her rehearsal tapes and some live performances that was released seven years after her death. But it’s not just a mere collection of songs thrown together. Give it a listen.

3:00 p.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

The women of music are in control starting at 3:00 p.m. and continuing for several hours as we listen to Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Carly Simon, Chrissie Hynde, Petula Clark, Laura Nyro, Cilla Black, Irma Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Etta James, Carole King, Maria Muldaur, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Eva Cassidy, Wendy Waldman, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Norah Jones, Phoebe Snow, Nicolette Larson, Valerie Carter, Sheryl Crowe, and more!

Before, in between, and after you’ll hear our great wide Open Stream with The Music Mermaid fully in control. We’re open all day and night, we’re totally free, and we don’t ask for your personal information. We don’t need it because we don’t try to sell you a damned thing.

Ladies Day Out!

Saturday in The Lounge Brings ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’, The Final Airing of Our AOW, and LIVE DEAD! Later, June 11, 2022

Good Morning, Weekenders! It’s your time here in The Mermaid Lounge and we kick off the day with our ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP (not to be confused with ‘M is For Motown’). This covers soul and R & B from all over the spectrum!

Today we’ve all got ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’

Here’s Saturday’s lineup:

10:00 a.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

Motown is the most renown, but it’s not the only record label for the genre. There was Stax with Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett; Muscle Shoals where Aretha Franklin released her first song in 1967; and Atlantic, with Ray Charles. Many of those who recorded for Muscle Shoals were distributed through Atlantic. We’ve got them all for you today including Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Jimmy Ruffin, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, The Shirelles, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, LaVern Baker, The Supremes, Sam Cooke, Edwin Starr, Fontella Bass, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Irma Thomas and more!

7:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Living With the Animals by Mother Earth LAST AIRING!

Here’s the final airing of this great blues album featuring the amazing voice of Tracy Nelson. When you roll out of bed tomorrow morning there will be a brand new selection.

10:00 p.m. LIVE DEAD! The Grateful Dead Live at Dillon Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, July 31, 1974

Another great soundboard recording from the Dead. It’s not new, but it hasn’t been aired since 2020 so it will be just like new. Remember, no two shows are the same anyway.

Get your weekend underway in style! We’ve got some great programming for you today interspersed in between all that great wide Open Stream. We’re totally free. That not only means that we’re free of commercial advertising, but we also don’t charge for anyone to listen. What’s not to love?

A Little Bit O’ Soul

Today, We’ve Got Our ‘By the Numbers’ Playlist, Our Album of The Week, and Eva Cassidy Live Later, Thursday, June 9, 2022

It’s all about numbers. Here’ are some numbers for you. In fact, one of our songs in today’s multi-artist list is a Beatle song McCartney wrote when he was just 14 years old!

Here’s Thursday’s line-up:

11:00 a.m. By The Numbers: Various Artists

Another great multi-artist playlist with numbers in the title, lyrics or both. You’ll hear The Beatles, Chicago, Three Dog Night, Mudcrutch, J.J. Cale, Steely Dan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Asleep At The Wheel, Eddie Cochran, Alice Cooper, Emmylou Harris, The Grass Roots, The Byrds, The Temptations, The Doors, Shawn Colvin, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Johnny Rivers, and more!

3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Living With The Animals by Mother Earth

Our second-to-last airing of this gem is upon us; our final airing will be sometime on Saturday. While Tracy Nelson is the standout on this album, it’s much more than just a vehicle for her voice. It’s flat out a great album.

7:00 p.m. Eva Cassidy Live at Pearl’s Restaurant, Annapolis, MD, September 14, 1994 NEW!

Some people have commented that they’ve never heard Eva Cassidy before. That’s not surprising since she passed far too soon, at the age of 36, before really hitting her stride. But she’s left behind a great volume of work, and we’re about to add a bunch more into our standard rotation. During our hunt for her music, we found this great live soundboard performance. Don’t miss it.

Tune us in, people. You can’t go wrong here in The Mermaid Lounge. We’re on 24/7 unmolested by commercial advertising. And we’re totally free. What’s not to love?

Tune Us In!