Category: In The Spotlight

Friday We’ve Got ‘Drivin’ Songs’, a Tim Hardin Spotlight, and Brand New Live Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, August 2, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to the cusp of the weekend here in The Mermaid Lounge. We’ve got a pretty cool lineup here for you today, starting with a dose of driving songs.

Here’s your Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Drivin’ Songs: Various Artists

Not merely songs about being in a car or driving somewhere, but songs that give you lead foot. There are many. Radar Love by Golden Earring comes to mind, and that’s just one of the songs you’ll hear in this great multi-artist playlist.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Tim Hardin

Tim Hardin’s heroin addiction kept him from greatness, yet he remains one of the most consequential artists of the folk movement in America. Today we put him In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Live at The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Town Park, Telluride, CO, June 23, 1989 NEW!

This is our first-ever live performance by this enduring band that has graced the musical airwaves for more than half a century now. In this particular show, they bring along special guests Bruce Hornsby and Michael Martin Murphy.

It’s Friday. We’re nearly there, folks; just one more day. Hang in there with us all day today and your day will be better! Just hit the button below.

Friday is Here!

The Ladies Are in Charge, We’ve Got Allen Toussaint and Volume Three of ‘Summer of Love’, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’ve got a great programming gig going to close the month of July as we put the ladies in charge for a good portion of the day. We also manage to squeeze in the final volume of ‘The Summer of Love’ playlist series.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

We’ve got the women of music large and in charge to start off the day. You’ll hear Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Emmylou Harris, Petula Clark, Laura Nyro, Cilla Black, Irma Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Carole King, Maria Muldaur, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Eva Cassidy, Wendy Waldman, Shawn Colvin, The Ronettes, The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Norah Jones, Phoebe Snow, Nicolette Larson, Susan Tedeschi, Valerie Carter and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Allen Toussaint

This afternoon we feature the grand musical ambassador from New Orleans In The Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. The Summer of Love, Volume Three: Various Artists

We close out the month of July with volume three of our ‘Summer of Love’ playlist with Lulu, The Rascals, The Youngbloods, Janis Ian, The Who, The Doors, The Association, The Rolling Stones, The Turtles, The Beatles, Wilson Pickett, Vanilla Fudge, Jackie Wilson and more!

We’re here 24/7. When you get up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep, we’re here. We’re here in the in the morning. We are also totally free of charge and we do not run commercial advertising. The button’s below.

Ladies Day Out!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With The Allman Brothers Band, Long John Baldry, and Johnny Winter, July 30, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists! We’ve got three great acts on board for Tuesday Bluesday today, including a new live performance by British bluesman Long John Baldry.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Allman Brothers Band Sing The Blues, Volume Two

This playlist comes from Martin Scorcese’s great TV series on the subject of the genre and its artists. Here we have The Brothers singing traditional blues offerings.

4:00 p.m. Long John Baldry Live at The Down Town Blues Club, Hamburg, Germany, September 21, 1999

Brand new to the station. We’re expanding our blues offering once again and this guy has been on the list. It’s finally here, and a Spotlight is also in the works.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Johnny Winter

Mr. High Energy always remained true to the blues. Tonight he closes out the Tuesday Bluesday programming.

Before, in between and after, we’ve got that big, wide Open Stream to get you through the days and nights. We’re anti-capitalist. No fees. No memberships. No credit card required. Just hit the button. Seriously. That’s it.

Tuesday Bluesday!

Monday Brings Bob Dylan Live With The Heartbreakers, Eva Cassidy and Our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP, July 29, 2024

Good morning, workforce! We’re back at it already, but we’ve got some great musical programming to get you through the day.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY, July 4, 1986

Dylan and his band of choice for the True Confessions Tour back in ’86!

2:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Eva Cassidy

Eva Cassidy left us far too soon, passing at the age of just 33. However, while she was on this planet she made the best of her time using her soprano voice to interpret jazz, folk and blues music. We’ve got her In The Spotlight this afternoon.

5:00 p.m. Folk Music From A-To-Z: Various Artists

We have a late-in-the-day airing of our big, bad folk EP today where 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, Tom Rush, Eric Andersen, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, James Taylor, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, Neil Young and more!

Before, in between, and after we’ve got our big, wide Open Stream of more than 27,000 songs to get you through. Just use the button below.

Just Push Play.

The Day Opens and Closes With Country, With Five Hours of Soul and R&B in Between, Friday, July 26, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! Today we open and close the programming with country music, but in between we’ve got our big, bad soul EP!

Here’s your country-soul programming:

9:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Alison Krauss NEW!

We open with something that has been on the list for a very long time; an Alison Krauss Spotlight featuring her solo work along with her days with Union Station and her collaboration with Robert Plant.

1:00 p.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

We break for the afternoon and spend time with the titans of soul, including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Ruffin, Carla Thomas, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder, 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, Percy Sledge and more!

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

The Johnny Cash-June Carter connection ran deeper than marriage. They were married to music as well. Tonight we give you the music of stepsisters Rosanne Cash and Carlene Carter.

We’re at the very cusp of the weekend and we’re plotting our programming for next week already when we’ll be moving into the final month of summer. We’re on 24/7. We’re totally free. And we do not run commercial advertising. Just hit the button below.

It’s a Country-Soul Friday!

On Thursday It’s Our ‘Ode To Morning’ EP, America In The Spotlight and a Tribute to Bluesman John Mayall, July 25, 2024

Good morning, musicologists. Today we celebrate the life and music of the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall. But first, it’s our ‘Ode to Morning’ EP and America.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

Yesterday we started out with songs about the night; today we do the opposite with Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, Harry Chapin, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Badfinger, Chris Hillman and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of America UPDATED!

Many people in my life think it’s “weird” that I like America, but they were one of the finest folk-rock bands of the seventies and definite hit makers. Underrated is a word I’d use for them. They made some madly innovative music during their tour. Today they’re In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Live in 1967, Somewhere in London

This is one of those collections of never-before-heard live songs by the master and his mates. The songs were recorded by a Dutch fan in a series of five London clubs during 1967. This was a very interesting iteration of The Bluesbreakers, a band that gave many blues stars their start. It included Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, later to become two different version of Fleetwood Mac.Today we pay tribute to the Godfather of British Blues.

Here we are heading toward the weekend once again. Hope springs eternal. Get yourself in on some great music. All you need is the button below.

RIP, John Mayall

We’re at Midweek With ‘Here Comes The Night’, Badfinger Live in St. Louis, and a Pink Floyd Spotlight, Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Good morning, musicologists around the globe. We’re already at midweek here and we’ve got songs about the night time, live Badfinger, and a Spotlight featuring Pink Floyd.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

We kick off the morning with songs about the night from 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, John Cougar Mellencamp, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Doors, Poco, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Don McLean, Steve Winwood, The Traveling Wilburys, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Raitt and more!

4:00 p.m. Badfinger Live at The Cowtown Auditorium, St. Louis, MO, April 7, 1972

This afternoon we have the absolute best band ever signed by Apple Records in Badfinger live in Missouri.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Pink Floyd

To close out the day’s programming, we move to Pink Floyd, certainly one of the earliest British pioneers of psychedelic rock.

We’re here 24/7 at the touch of a button (it’s below). We’re free. We require no credit card or personal information, and we run absolutely no commercial advertising. Just do it.

Just. Push. Play.

Our Big, Bad Blues EP, The Yardbirds Live in New York, and Dion In The Spotlight Awaits on Tuesday Bluesday, July 23, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists! We are back with another Tuesday Bluesday full of great music, including a brand new Spotlight featuring Dion of The Belmonts fame. Yes. You read that right.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blues: Various Artists

Our big, bad blues EP featuring Delbert McClinton, Robert Johnson, B. B. King, Little Walter, Slim Harpo, Ry Cooder, Canned Heat, John Lee Hooker, The Animals, Albert King, Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, The Yardbirds, Janis Joplin, Bobby “Blue” Bland, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elmore James, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Robert Cray Band, Susan Tedeschi, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, James Cotton, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, Marcia Ball, Roomful of Blues and more!

4:00 p.m. The Yardbirds Live at B. B. King’s Blues Club, New York, NY, July 16, 2006

Jeff Beck and his mates captured live at B. B. King’s Blues Club in New York.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Dion (Dimucci) NEW!

Many will remember Dion for Runaround Sue, The Wanderer and Abraham, Martin & John (a really fine song indeed), but Dion is a bluesman at heart. Today we’ve got the Dion’s blues In The Spotlight.

Another fine Tuesday is shaping up here. We’re on 24/7 at no charge to the public and with no commercial advertising. Just use the button below.

Tuesday Bluesday is Back!

Sunday Brings Tom Rush, ‘Music From Laurel Canyon,’ and JT and Joni Live at Royal Albert Hall, July 21, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! The weekend flies, doesn’t it? But hey, we’ve still got the day and we’ve got some great music from The Mermaid today.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Tom Rush

Today we begin with the man credited with starting the whole singer-songwriter thing. I saw this guy when he was young, and I saw him as he celebrated his 79th birthday (one day after mine) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was as excellent as I remembered him.

1:00 p.m. Music From Laurel Canyon: Various Artists

As with all things sixties, it burned brightly and churned out a bunch of great music that was actually heard around the world. We were paying attention to the British Invasion, but most didn’t realize they were listening to us. 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, Joni Mitchell, The Eagles, J.D. Souther, Harry Nilsson, Canned Heat, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and more!

8:00 p.m. James Taylor & Joni Mitchell Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, October 28, 1970

Speaking of Laurel Canyon, yeah, JT and Joni were a thing for a while. And they made beautiful music together. Literally.

It is the official day of rest, even for the Big Kahuna in the sky (if you are into that stuff), so why not take his or her lead and give it a rest. Kick back. And listen to some great tunes.

Just Push Play. Right Here.

It’s Songs About Colors, Volume Two of ‘The Summer of Love’ and Chuck Berry In The Spotlight, Saturday, July 20, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We are celebrating summer once again with volume two of our ‘Summer of Love’ playlist but not until we have songs about colors. Later, it’s Chuck Berry.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

Songs about colors in the title, lyrics or both. In case you thought Paint It Black was only one of a handful of songs, think again. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, 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!

4:00 p.m. Summer of Love, Volume Two: Various Artists

Today we continue the songs of 1967 with volume two of our ‘Summer of Love’ playlist. You’ll hear Jefferson Airplane, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Aretha Franklin, Buffalo Springfield, The Beatles, The Grass Roots, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, The Turtles, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, Cream, Bobbie Gentry and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Chuck Berry

Tonight we close with one of the main architects of rock n’ roll, Mr. Chuck Berry, firmly In The Spotlight.

We’re here 24/7, programming or not. We have our big, wide Open Stream of never-ending songs. Our repeats are so far apart that they are like new when you hear them all over again. Either button will do.

SUMMER OF LOVE!
That’s 1967. Not 1969.