Good Morning, Musicologists. It is definitely Tuesday Bluesday in The Mermaid Lounge with our house blues playlist, and with Linda Ronstadt dropping by later.
This is a great, eclectic blues playlist that runs for just over four hours! You will hear Slim Harpo, Long John Baldry, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Buddy Guy, Cream, Foghat, Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur, Canned Heat, Delbert McClinton, and more!
7:00 p.m. Album of The Week: We Ran by Linda Ronstadt
Our second airing of what I consider to be one of Ronstadt’s most eclectic works, interpreting the songs of Bob Dylan (for the first time since early in her career), John Hiatt, Naomi Neville and others. The standout song? Undoubtedly, Ruler of My Heart. Brilliant.
Tune us in, people. We’re about to expand our general rotation again and you have no idea what you are missing! No other radio station rotates a 27,000-song playlist on its best day.
Good Morning, Music Lovers around the globe! How are we on this fine Monday morning, as I wind down my vacation. We are bringing you new stuff as we crawl toward 2021, and it starts with the ladies today.
The Ladies: Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Lucinda Williams, The Supremes, Joni Mitchell, Valerie Carter, Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin and Irma Thomas.
Here’s your line-up!
11:00 a.m. The All-Girl Revue, Volume 5: Various Artists NEW!
We’re kicking off the day with a brand new All-Girl Revue. This makes number five. The ladies in the photo above will join others in this playlist, like Phoebe Snow, Wendy Waldman, Ann Peebles, Tracy Chapman, Susan Tedeschi, Lulu, Petula Clark, Carly Simon, Jackie DeShannon, Carole King, Judy Collins, and others! It’s just over two hours of uninterrupted bliss.
By the way, the set list will be up under the Playlist tab. Just go and scroll until you find it.
3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel
They made their television singing debut at the age of sixteen. Paul Simon went on to become one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and together they have sold 105 million records over their career. Today, they’re in the spotlight.
7:00 p.m. The Shadow: 05. Hounds In The Hills NEW!
You’re going to love this one: “A demented old hag living with her hunchback son kidnaps four boys and holds them captive in their mansion.” This comes direct from their wikifan page. And guess what? The plot only thickens from there. I’m not revealing one more thing.
Listen, the programming is light. I am not, however, shirking my duties. Your post-Shadow evening will be littered with Three-in-a-Rows throughout. This costs you nothing. Remember, sharing is caring. Or so they say.
Well, Good Morning, Musicologists! It’s our usual busy Saturday here in The Mermaid Lounge as we kick off some new playlists to carry us into the New Year!
Five-octave Roy Orbison, the man with the golden voice.
Here’s today’s line-up:
11:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Roy Orbison NEW!
We’ve got all the Roy you want here, from his outstanding solo career right up on through his time as a member of The Traveling Wilburys with friends George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan, the best damned super group on the planet. Ever. Enjoy this one.
The set list is up under our Playlist tab. Simply scroll to the bottom!
3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Moondog Matinee by The Band FINAL AIRING!
We’re closing out Moondog Matinee today. Tomorrow when you wake up, there’ll be a brand new Album of the Week ready to go!
6:00 p.m. Selections From the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, June 17-19, 1967
Since today marks the day the rockumentary hit the theaters back in 1968, we thought we’d commemorate the precursor to Woodstock by playing some tunes from the festival.
The set list is also up under the Playlist tab. Again, just scroll down.
10:00 p.m. Live Dead! The Grateful Dead Live at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, April 12, 1986 NEW!
Another new ‘Live Dead’ offering for this week. We’ve played no duplicates here since this little extravaganza began, and we will go as long as we can with new material! This one comes from the now-demolished Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre.
Tune us in, people. No commercials. No credit card required. No memberships. No personal information. What’s the matter? That make you nervous?
Good Morning, Music Lovers of the Universe! I hope that your Monday can be made brighter by our programmng selections (call me dramatic).
Joni Mitchell performs on stage at The Wall Concert, Berlin, 21st July 1990. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Here’s today’s killer line-up:
11:00 a.m. Joni Mitchell Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, Colorado, July 30, 1983
Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell’s career has spanned four decades. Mitchell’s talents embrace various musical styles, including folk, pop, rock and jazz. I had the opportunity to see her at Boston’s Music Hall with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express on her tour supporting the release of her album, Court & Spark. She was amazing.
3:00 p.m. The Shadow: 04 Death Under The Chapel NEW!
An insane professor is dropped from the faculty after causing the suicide of one of his students. You can imagine that he might have revenge in mind.
7:00 p.m. Bob Dylan Live in ’75: The Rolling Thunder Revue
Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Review tour, along with his loosely-assembled back-up band called Guam, which included Ronee Blakeley, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, T Bone Burnett, Mick Ronson and Scarlet Rivera, among others. The tour was unorthodox and almost spontaneous, and it took place just prior to the release of his fantastic Desire LP.
There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t be listening to us. We’re free. We do not run advertising. And we don’t make a dime from what we’re doing. There is no need to provide a credit card, buy a subscription, or give us your personal information. So, what are you waiting for?
Good Morning, Music Minions! We are here getting a proverbial “jump” on the week with our Monday edition of all the news that’s fit to print!
Martha & The Vandellas broke up on this day.
Here’s today’s musical lesson!
December 21, 1963: Joan Baez was gaining steam as she entered the Top 10 on the Album chart with Joan Baez In Concert.
Also on this day, The Beatles did their first Christmas show at the Gaumont Theatre in Bradford, England.
December 21, 1966: The Beach Boys receive three gold records: for the single Good Vibrations, and for the albums Little Deuce Coupe and Shut Down, Volume 2.
December 21, 1967: The Beatles throw a costume party at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London to celebrate the showing of their film, Magical Mystery Tour, on the BBC.
December 21, 1968: The newly-formed trio of Crosby, Stills & Nash performed together for the first time.
Also on this day, Glen Campbell topped the Billboard 200 with the album, Wichita Lineman. It would remain on the charts for 46 weeks, but will also be Campbell’s only number one.
If that isn’t enough, Janis Joplin made her debut as a solo concert artist at an event for the Stax/Volt record label. The Stax house band, Booker T & The MG’s, also performed at the event.
December 21, 1969: Diana Ross & The Supremes make their final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. They sang Someday We’ll Be Together, their twelfth and final number one single.
December 21, 1970: Traffic’s album John Barleycorn Must Die is certified gold.
December 21, 1972: Martha & The Vandellas play their last show at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Their career spanned nine years, charting over two dozen times. Ten of their singles reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R & B chart, and twelve made it to the Top 40 of the Hot 100, including Dancing In The Street, Nowhere to Run, and Jimmy Mack.
December 21, 1974: Harry Chapin enjoys his only number one single with Cats In The Cradle, one of the best damned songs every recorded.
December 21, 1979: The Eagles, Chicago and Linda Ronstadt perform a benefit show for California Governor Jerry Brown’s presidential campaign. Brown also happens to be Ronstadt’s boyfriend.
December 21, 1990: A concert in memory of John Lennon was held at the Tokyo Dome. Taking part were Sean Lennon, Hall & Oates, Natalie Cole and Linda Ronstadt.
December 21, 1991: Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody returned to #1 after the death of Freddie Mercury, and remained there for five weeks.
December 21, 1992: Legendary bluesman Albert King dies of a heart attack in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 69.
Born On This Day
December 21, 1940: Frank Zappa, rocker, composer and performer with the Mothers of Invention (and solo), was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
December 21, 1942: Soul singer Carla Thomas, soloist and also a duet performer with Otis Redding, was born in Memphis, Tennessee.
December 21, 1943: Albert Lee, famous session guitarist (Emmylou Harris, among others), was born in Lingen, Herefordshire, England.
December 21, 1946: Carl Wilson was born in Hawthorne, California. He forms The Beach Boys with older brothers Dennis and Brian, then becomes the band’s lead guitarist.
And that’s it from The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge today!
Good Morning, Music Lovers! We have another great Sunday of music lined up for you. It’s a day of rest. Stop fucking shopping for one day and put your damned feet up.
The Band’s Moondog Matinee debuts as our Album of The Week.
Here’s today’s line-up:
11:00 a.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live From The Vic Theatre, Chicago, April 17, 2003
The house band is back, and this is a great show here from a small venue — holding 1,400 people, but 1,000 if seated. I regret not seeing Petty in a small venue. I had the opportunity with Mudcrutch at The House of Blues in Boston in 2016, and I blew it big time.
3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Moondog Matinee by The Band NEW!
There’s not much more you can say about The Band, but their fifth studio album is an homage to OPM (Other People’s Music). Released in 1973, the album reflects the group’s love of R & B and the blues, covering songs written by Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, and others. The only exception to this is their interpretation of the theme from The Third Man. We are giving you the expanded version here.
6:00 p.m. Truffle Live at The House of Haze, Farmington, NH, October 18, 2020 NEW!
Truffle is not exactly new. In fact (Savoy) Truffle has been around since 1986. Seems incredible to me that the name isn’t rolling off everyone’s tongue.
Truffle is David Bailey (bass, vocals), Ned Chase (mandolin, guitar, lap steel & vocals), Mike Gendron (drums), Pete Kowalski (percussion) and Dave Gerard (vocals, electric & resonator guitars). Both Dave’s and Ned have been creating music together since 1986. They have performed in all but ten states across the U.S., playing as many as 275 shows in one year. Mike (still the rookie) joined the band with years of experience in 1996; the only lineup change in the band’s history. Truffle has achieved widespread popularity by headlining many respected venues as well as sharing the stage with international acts as Little Feat, Phish, The Band, Dave Matthew’s Band, David Lindley, The Radiators, and Blues Traveler to name only a few.
Tonight we have them in the spotlight live from The House of Haze in New Hampshire. The set list will be up and under the Playlist tab.
Again, let me reiterate how much time you’re wasting with radio stations that talk incessantly, sell you shit, and cost you money. What the hell is wrong with you?
Happy Monday, Music Lovers! We’ve had an info-packed lesson from the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge today, and now we’re giving you some great programming to start your week!
Speaking of Badass Guitarists…
Here’s today’s line-up!
11:00 a.m. Badass Guitarists, Volume 2: Various Artists
In spite of what assholes like Kanye West say about guitars being junk instruments, we here in The Mermaid Lounge revere guitarists and their talent. We’ve got a bunch: Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Mike Campbell, George Harrison, Jimmy Page…and that’s just for starters. In the immortal words of Mike Campbell, “Fuck That Guy.”
3:00 p.m. Wildflowers & All The Rest: Live Wildflowers
As we add all the new Heartbreakers material to the general rotation today, we feel it’s a good time to revisit one of the discs, so we chose to focus on the live versions of the Wildflowers songs. Funny little thing about the inclusion of Walls. It was not part of the Wildflowers time frame, but they included it anyway because they thought it fit so well with the overall feeling of the album, and because it’s such a great fucking song.
7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Beach Boys
We haven’t heard from these guys for a while. Speaking for myself, I never paid much attention to The Beach Boys when I was young but guys like Paul McCartney and Tom Petty had the ultimate respect, and Linda Ronstadt considers Brian Wilson a musical genius, so I started paying attention. I’m glad I did. I now love surf music in general, and I agree with Ronstadt’s assessment of Wilson.
Look, it’s Monday. Here just outside of Boston, it’s dark, gloomy and rainy. The perfect day to tune in some good music. Know what I mean?
And so begins another week. Here at the Mermaid Lounge, we’re trying to accomplish the impossible: Programming a week in advance. It’s a valiant effort, but the jury is OUT. Nevertheless, we have a lot of info here for you.
The very first juke box at the Palais Royal Hotel in San Francisco
November 23, 1899: The first jukebox was placed at The Palais Royale Hotel in San Francisco (see photo).
November 23, 1962: The Beatles auditioned at St. James’ Church Hall in London for The BBC, which was looking for people with potential to be on TV. The Beatles failed. I wonder if the guy who made that decision kept his job.
November 23, 1963: Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs have the top R & B song with Sugar Shack.
November 23, 1964: /The Beatles release the single, I Feel Fine. The B-side is She’s A Woman.
The Rolling Stones are late for the radio shows Top Gear and Saturday Club, and were banned by The BBC.
November 23, 1965: The Beatles film promos for I Feel Fine, Ticket To Ride, Help!, Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out at Twickenham Studios in London. The BBC paid 1,750 pounds for the broadcast rights, and then deals were made with other broadcasters around the world.
November 23, 1967: The Who played the New Barn at The Lions Delaware County Fairgrounds in Muncie, Indiana.
November 23, 1968:Little known fact, here: After Dusty Springfield had recommended Jimmy Page to Ahmet Ertegun, head of Atlantic Records, Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant finalized their recording contract.
Steve Miller debuted on the charts after his first single, Living in The USA.
The Beatles tied the existing rock era record (held by Bobby Darin’s Mack The Knife) with a ninth week at #1 for Hey Jude.
Judy Collins’ version of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now enters the Top 40, where it will peak at #8. It will also win The Best Folk Performance of the year.
November 23, 1970: George Harrison released his first solo single, My Sweet Lord, in the US.
November 23, 1972: Bob Dylan arrives in Durango, Colorado, to film the movie Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid (Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door).
November 23, 1975: Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody goes to #1 on the UK charts, where it will remain for nine weeks.
November 23, 1976: Wings kicked off a 19-date UK tour at The Royal Court in Liverpool.
November 23, 1983: Tom Evans of Badfinger committed suicide after the band decided to break up.
Born On This Day
November 23, 1939: Betty Everett, of The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) fame, was born in Greenwood, Mississippi.
November 23, 1940: Freddie Marsden, drummer for Gerry & The Pacemakers, was born in Liverpool.
November 23, 1954: Bruce Hornsby, one of the greatest keyboardists ever, leader of Bruce Hornsby & The Range and keyboardist for The Grateful Dead, was born in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Yes, it’s another Monday here in The Mermaid Lounge, and we’re just full of information for you. November 16 is certainly a busy day in music history.
John Lennon. Beatle. Musician. Human.
Here’s today’s lesson in musical history:
November 16, 1948: Chi Coltrane, pianist, singer and composer, is born. She’s best known for the great fucking songs Thunder & Lightning and Go Like Elijah.
November 16, 1957: The birthplace of British Rock n’ Roll is firmly established when the BBC broadcasts it’s first pop show, The Six Five Special, from the tiny 2i’s Coffee Bar in London.
November 16, 1964: The Animals record Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.
November 16, 1965: George Martin puts together the final song order on the Beatles’ brilliant. Rubber Soul album.
November 16, 1966: The Temptations release their Greatest Hits album which become’s Billboard’s Album of the Year in 1967.
November 16, 1968:Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience goes to #1.
One the same date, B.J. Thomas releases Hooked On a Feeling.
November 16, 1973: John Lennon releases the Mind Games album.
November 16, 1974: John Lennon’s Whatever Gets You Through The Night hits #1, the only number one single he has in his solo career. Let me just say it now: The song was a collaboration with Elton John, who guaranteed it would go to number one. It is probably because of that fact that the song went to number one. While I like the song enough, I’m glad Lennon didn’t make a career out of trite, pop songs.
One the same day, Stevie Wonder’s Boogie On Reggae Woman is released.
That’s today’s lesson from the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge. We will see you in a while for the daily line-up and we’ll be back tomorrow with some more useless, yet musically informative information.
Good Morning, Music Lovers, and welcome to the weekend in The Mermaid Lounge and Music Emporium. Today we kick off with The British Are Coming, a great playlist that encapsulates the British Invasion and then some!
More than 5 hours of uninterrupted music awaits!
Here’s Saturday’s line-up:
10:00 a.m. The British Are Coming! Various Artists
Also known as, It Came From Across The Pond, we feature more than five hours of uninterrupted bliss from The Beatles, The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Peter & Gordon,, Lulu, Petula Clark, Herman’s Hermits, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers and more!
7:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
The final airing of this week’s album, Sweet Baby James, by James Taylor. Sunday when you roll out of bed, there’s going to be a brand new Album of The Week.
10:00 p.m. Live Dead! The Grateful Dead Live at The Hollywood Bowl, July 21, 1974 NEW!
No two tours ever the same. No two shows ever the same. The Grateful Dead remain the master jam band.
Good day to tune us in. I know. I say that every damned day. But it’s a fact. What are you waiting for?
#BecomeUngovernable Radio 