Category: In The Spotlight

Monday, Monday Brings ‘Live’ Bonnie Raitt, Badfinger In The Spotlight, and Some ‘Live’ Doors Later, March 20, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got a smorgasboard of stuff for you today with two live performances and a spotlight sandwiched in between.

Here’s Monday’s line-up:

11:00 a.m. Bonnie Raitt Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, December 9, 1973

Some early Bonnie Raitt to get your day going. The Record Plant was a proving ground for young musical artists back in the day.

3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Badfinger

Badfinger was the first signing to the Beatles’ Apple Records. They were originally called The Iveys, but their name was changed by The Beatles’ road manager, Neil Aspinall. Under The Beatles, Badfinger began to take off with hits like No Matter What, Come And Get It, and Day After Day. By this time, Pete Ham was establishing himself as a major songwriter. My favorite all-time Badfinger song is Baby Blue, which was never released in the UK, because during that time, Apple Records was in turmoil and the Beatles were breaking up. It was at this point that things went south for Badfinger and they became the victim of their new manager’s greed, winding up in financial ruin. Things got worse from there for the band, but they left us some great music. If you’re interested in the full story, the book Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger by Dan Matovina is worth the read.

7:00 p.m. The Doors Live at Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, May 8, 1970

The Lizard King and his mates live at Cobo Arena in Detroit closes out the day’s programming.

Hey, it’s Monday. The beginning of yet another work week. What better way to start it out than with some great music?

Just Push Play!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With Our Louisiana Blues EP and Johnny Winter Playing Around Our AOW on This Rainy Day, March 14, 2023

Good morning, Bluesologists! We’ve got our multi-artist ‘Best of Louisiana Blues’ EP kicking off Tuesday Bluesday and Johnny Winter closing it. In between, it’s our Album of The Week by BeauSoleil!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Louisiana Blues: Various Artists

This is our newest multi-artist blues EP introduced for the first time in January. You’ll hear Ray Charles, Lillian Glinn, Slim Harpo. Fats Domino, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Rodney Harris, Roosevelt Sykes, Shirley & Lee, Roy Brown, Papa Lightfoot, Guitar Slim, Annie Laurie, Fats Matthews, Big Joe Turner, Big Boy Myles, Little Walter, Mary Butler, Erline Harris, Marcia Ball, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Dave Bartholemew and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Hot Chili Mama by BeauSoleil

Today is the second airing of this great album by a band that is often called the greatest Cajun Zydeco band in the world. It may not be the blues, but we’re still in the right geographical vicinity!

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Johnny Winter

No question about it, Johnny Winter was the most high-energy blues guitarist on the planet, and as we all know, he was true to the blues. But he was more than just that. He was the guy who produced grammy-winning albums for blues great Muddy Waters. Tonight we put Johnny Winter In the Spotlight.

Tuesday Bluesday is always a full house here, so why not join in? We’re totally free and we play some of the best blues on the planet from all over the place. See for yourself. It won’t cost you anything but time.

Tuesday Bluesday

The Work Week is Back, and We’ve Got Peter Tosh, Volume One of Summer of Love, and ‘Live’ Emmylou Harris, Monday. March 13, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! The work week is back for a return engagement and we’ve got a great eclectic collection of programs for you today.

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

11:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Peter Tosh

Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh was one of the core founding members of The Wailers before he embarked on a successful solo career. Today we put him in the spotlight.

3:00 p.m. The Summer of Love: Various Artists

We look back at the Summer of Love starting today with volume one of this series. You will hear Petula Clark, The Rolling Stones, Grace Slick & The Great Society, Cream, The Doors, The Grass Roots, Donovan, The Association, The Spencer Davis Group, Marvin Gaye, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Electric Prunes, The Yardbirds, The Box Tops and more.

7:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris Live at My Father’s Place, Roslyn, New York, September 14, 1976

Tonight we end our programming with Emmylou Harris in a very early concert from My Father’s Place on Long Island. This is Emmylou before her meteoric rise to the top of the country rockpile.

We’re on 24/7 and we’re free. We accept no commercial advertising, and I am the only DJ. The only thing you’ll hear from me is occasional station I.D.’s. Give us a listen. It won’t cost you anything.

Monday, Monday

Friday’s Music Comes From ‘Live’ CSNY, Nina Simone as Our Singer-Songwriter and a Steve Winwood Spotlight, March 10, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got some great music lined up today as we bid a fond farewell to Nina Simone as our featured singer-songwriter, among other great programming.

Here’s your Friday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Live at Wembley Stadium, London, UK, November 14, 1974

Our second favorite supergroup here right behind the Wilburys giving us a live performance from across the pond.

3:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: Nina Simone FINAL AIRING!

We bid a very fond farewell to Nina Simone as our featured singer-songwriter for this week. Tomorrow we’ll introduce a new artist here but, in the meantime, don’t miss her final turn at the mike.

7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Steve Winwood

Tonight we put Steve Winwood In the Spotlight and, yes, he will eventually get his turn as our singer-songwriter. Another Mermaid Lounge favorite here. You’ll hear his music from his days with Traffic, Blind Faith, The Spencer Davis Group and his solo career tonight.

We’ve technically made it through another work week. We think you deserve some great music to help you get through your day. Don’t you agree? Come on. Give it a shot. All you need is a free tab and a mouse (or a mouse pad if you don’t use a mouse).

Just Push Play.

At Midweek We’ve Got ‘The Female Species’ EP, Nina Simone, and The Beatles In The Spotlight, Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We continue to celebrate Women’s (Musical) History Month with our ode to the superior sex. We also feature Nina Simone as our singer-songwriter, and put The Beatles In the Spotlight later.

Here’s your midweek musical programming:

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

We feature our ode to women this morning and it’ll be running into the afternoon. Call it Open Stream With a Stream. You’ll hear from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, 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, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Rolling Stones, The Rascals, Peter & Gordon and more!

4:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Nina Simone

We have our second airing of Nina Simone as our featured singer-songwriter for this week coming up later in the afternoon.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of The Beatles

One of our House Bands (along with TPATH) and the band that changed just about everything in a very short period of time. They set the music world on its ear in 1964 and never stopped until their final note was played. Along the way they also changed the cultural landscape. We put them In the Spotlight where they belong.

What better day to tune us in than this one? Join your friends from France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Faroe Islands, Australia, Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts, Germany, France, Canada and beyond. They are all on this morning!

Midweek Music!

Welcome Back to Tuesday Bluesday With ‘The Best of Chicago Blues’ EP, Our AOW, and Koko Taylor, March 7, 2023

Tuesday Bluesday is a ritual here in The Mermaid Lounge and it’s back again. We’ve got our big, bad Chicago Blues EP and Koko Taylor In the Spotlight later!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Chicago Blues: Various Artists

We start off our first Tuesday of the month with our big, bad Chicago blues EP. You’ll hear Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, Lowell Fulson, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Son Seals, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Otis Spann and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Bluesiana Triangle by Bluesiana Triangle

This was a short-lived band of jazz and blues greats Art Blakey, Dr. John, and David “Fathead” Newman and they put out one sweet album here.

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Koko Taylor

Koko Taylor is often called The Queen of The Blues, and rightly so. Her potent singing style encompassed Chicago Blues, electric blues, soul blues and straight-up R & B. We’ve got her In the Spotlight tonight.

It’s always a full house around here on Tuesday Bluesday and there’s plenty of room for everyone, so jump on in!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday!

We Start Off the Work Week With Dylan’s 1966 Concert at Royal Albert Hall, Valerie Carter In the Spotlight, and Some Live Little Feat Later, Monday, March 6, 2023

We kick off the work week in style today with three great programming interludes interspersed among all that great wide Open Stream!

Here’s your Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Bob Dylan Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, May 17, 1966

Dylan was just about 24 years old when he played the Royal Albert Hall in London. We have that performance here to kick off our programming today.

3:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Valerie Carter

Valerie Carter began her singing career in coffeehouses as a teen, then became part of a trio called Howdy Moon. The band released one album, now fairly obscure. However, she wrote the song Cook With Honey, which became a hit for Judy Collins later and managed to meet Lowell George of Little Feat, who produced her next album and became her mentor until his death. He introduced her to Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt and so it began. Valerie Carter has an amazing voice and that girl can sing. Give a listen as we continue to celebrate Women’s (Musical) History Month.

7:00 p.m. Little Feat Live at The Rainbow Room, London, August 4, 1977

Speaking of Little Feat, we’re back in London tonight for their performance at The Rainbow Room. It’s a good one. Don’t miss it!

Let me repeat. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free of charge and free of commercial advertising. We have absolutely nothing to sell you. Not even a subscription. Because you don’t need one. What more can you ask for?

Monday! It’s Back!

We Leap Over the Hump With Our ‘Color My World’ EP, Our AOW, and The Animals In the Spotlight, Thursday, March 2, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We’re over the week’s hump as we start the downslide to the weekend, and we’ve got three slots of great programming for you today.

Here’s your Thursday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We start out with songs that refer to colors in the title, lyrics or both! You’ll hear Linda Ronstadt, Valerie Carter, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Traveling Wilburys, Jonathan Edwards, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, John Hiatt, Joni Mitchell, Badfinger, Donovan, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Elton John, Procol Harum, Electric Light Orchestra, Amy Winehouse, The Who, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Sam & Dave, Jefferson Airplane, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, The Hollies, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Booker T & The MG’s, Lucinda Williams, Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Cougar Mellencamp and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Innervisions by Stevie Wonder

Many have said that this is the album where Stevie Wonder took a giant leap into more self awareness and social consciousness. It certainly helped him shed that “Little” Stevie Wonder aura.

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

The Animals were a great blues-rock band founded in the early sixties in Castle upon Tyne in England. Their driving force was the great voice of Eric Burdon.

We’re on 24/7 at no charge to you. No surprises. No lie. This is truly a labor of love. It’s all about the music. Come see for yourself.

Color My World!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday in The Lounge and We’ve Got a Delbert McClinton Spotlight, Stevie Wonder’s AOW and Live Tedeschi-Trucks Later, September 28, 2023

Good morning, Bluesologists! We’re closing out the month of February with some great blues from Delbert McClinton and Tedeschi-Trucks. Read on for details!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Delbert McClinton

Delbert McClinton is a blues rock and electric blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player and pianist of extraordinary talent. He has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won four. He has had four albums reach number one on the Blues chart. He made his first stage appearance in 1957 and completed his most recent tour in 2018. Delbert McClinton is a legend to us here in The Mermaid Lounge and today he’s In the Spotlight.

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Innervisions by Stevie Wonder

We go from electric blues to rhythm & blues with the second airing of Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, our Album of The Week.

7:00 p.m. Tedeschi Trucks Band Live at The Orpheum Theater, Madison, WI, March 18, 2015

Tonight it’s back to big, bad electric blues with the finest big blues band and one of the premier blues guitarists ever in Derek Trucks. We’ve got them live tonight in Wisconsin.

It’s always a hot ticket here in The Mermaid Lounge on a Tuesday Bluesday, so give us a listen and tune us in. There’s plenty of room for everyone, and no charge to anyone.

It’s Tuesday Bluesday!

The Work Week Begins With The Mamas & The Papas, BeauSoleil Live in Louisiana, and Emmylou Harris Live in London, Monday, February 27, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We’re on our last Monday of the month of February and we’ve got some great music lined up, including brand new ‘live’ Emmylou Harris!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: the Music of The Mamas & The Papas

Whenever I talk about the Laurel Canyon set, this is one of the first bands that comes to mind. When I was a mere kid, I wore out every vinyl album of theirs that I owned. Today we put them In the Spotlight where they belong.

3:00 p.m. BeauSoleil Live in Louisiana!

I know many will be saying “who the hell is BeauSoleil?” Well, allow me to enlighten you. Led by fiddler Michael Doucet, BeauSoleil has been making great Cajun music for more than 30 years and has been called the world’s greatest Cajun band. The sounds of Louisiana are among my favorites. This selection of live songs was culled from their 2006 post-Katrina tour that included several benefit performances.

7:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris with The Daniel Lanois Band Live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK, November 23, 1995 NEW!

This tour was in support of Emmylou’s amazing Wrecking Ball album, a collaboration with Daniel Lanois. At the age of 48, Emmylou felt the need to redefine herself to some degree, moving away from her traditional acoustic sound and taking a harder edge. The album won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording.

We start off Monday with a bang, folks. I know many of you are back at work, but if you work in an office, that’s perfect. Shut your door, pull up a tab and click the button below. I promise there is no subscription required, no forms to fill out and no credit card necessary.

Monday, Monday