Category: Power Pop

Welcome to Finally Friday! We’ve Got ‘Great Beginnings’ and Then Two Great Live Shows From Linda Ronstadt and Van Morrison on August 30, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! Once again we are on the cusp of the weekend here in The Mermaid Lounge, and it’s a long weekend to boot! We start off with a great multi-artist playlist. It gets better from there.

Here’s your long-weekend lineup!

9:00 a.m. Great Beginnings: Various Artists.

It’s not an EP, but it’s oh, so close. We start off with songs that have great opening riffs from The Beatles, Elton John, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Electric Light Orchestra, Edgar Winter, The Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Guess Who, Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, Linda Ronstadt, George Harrison and more!

3:00 p.m. Linda Ronstadt Live at Rai Halle, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, November 21, 1976

We give you the undisputed Queen of Rock live from Rai Halle in Amsterdam early in her illustrious career.

7:00 p.m. Van Morrison Live at The Grand Opera House, Belfast, Ireland, March 11-12, 1983

We close it out with Van “The Man” Morrison live from Belfast.

It’s a great day today here in The Lounge, partly because I have a day off from retail hell, a rare event for a Friday. And I get to listen to all this great music as I hang out here getting ready for the musical week. You should tune in too. It won’t cost you a penny, and there’s no commercial advertising…just music 24/7. No lie.

A Long Weekend of Great Music!

Friday Delivers The Drifters, Songs About Food and Our ‘Ode To Morning’ EP at Night. No kidding. August 23, 2024

Good morning, music lovers (and foodies also). We’ve got a great lineup on the cusp of the weekend, including a brand new Spotlight featuring The Drifters!

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Drifters NEW!

Here’s another one off my musical ‘to do’ list. We (luckily) pipe a sixties station in our store and I hear an awful lot of songs by this band every day. I finally got to the point where this simply had to get done. Originally assembled as the back-up band for Clyde McPhatter, The Drifters turned their fortunes into a career that spanned half a century and generated plenty of number ones. Today, they are In the Spotlight.

2:00 p.m. For Foodies Only: Various Artists

Another great multi-artist list (a shorter one) with songs about food from The Rolling Stones, Little Feat, Sam & Dave, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, Judy Collins, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Harry Nilsson, Cream, The Guess Who, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Eagles, The Flying Burrito Brothers and more!

7:00 p.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

We head into the nighttime hours with songs about the morning. Yes. But earlier in the week we opened the morning programming with songs about the night. It’s only fitting. You’ll hear 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 and more.

Wow. Plenty of name dropping today, but there’s also plenty of good listening. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free of charge and free of commercial advertising. We’re all about the music, people. See for yourself.

The Drifters!

It’s Sunday Funday With Live Bonnie Raitt, an Etta James Spotlight, and the ‘Color My World’ EP Tonight, August 18, 2024

Good morning, weekenders! We hope you’re enjoying your time off as much as we are, although my weekend is actually a Sunday-Monday combo. Today we start off with Bonnie Raitt and Etta James before we get into Open Stream with a theme this evening.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Bonnie Raitt Live at The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA, February 15, 1972

We kick off the festivities with an iconic performer in an iconic venue. There have been so many who have passed through the doors of The Troubadour on their way to fame. Bonnie Raitt is no exception.

2:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Etta James

In my mind, Etta James is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin in so many ways. Over a six-decade career she has put her stamp on gospel, soul, jazz, R&B and rock and roll. Today she’s In The Spotlight.

5:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

Tonight we give you Open Stream with a Theme as this playlist takes you late into the night. 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, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Lucinda Williams, Janis Joplin, John Hiatt, J.D. Souther, Linda Ronstadt and more!

Come and get it. It’s free. Every single day of the year. All of them. And we’re open all night; round the clock. Did I mention there’s no commercial advertising?

What are you waiting for?

The Weekend Begins With ‘What’s In a Name’, Then It’s Maria Muldaur and Townes Van Zandt on Saturday, August 17, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and name droppers! We’ve got a great day of music in store starting with our ‘What’s In a Name’ multi-artist EP!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. What’s In A Name: Various Artists

Have we got name droppers for you today! Some of the folks they sing about are real. Some are not. Do you know the difference? You’ll hear Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Them, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jimi Hendrix, Donovan, Steve Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, Carly Simon, Warren Zevon, Laura Nyro, Bobbie Gentry, The Kinks, Three Dog Night, The Association, Joni Mitchell, Badfinger, Linda Ronstadt, Steely Dan, Chi Coltrane, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Tony Joe White and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Maria Muldaur

Maria Muldaur’s career began during the great sixties folk music revival, but she didn’t stop there as her musical style encompasses folk, blues, early jazz, gospel, country and R&B. Give a listen.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt Live at The Whole Coffeehouse, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, September 6, 1973 NEW!

We close with a brand new live show from one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time without question.

We’re here 24/7 and it is officially the weekend! Best of all, we’re totally free and we don’t air any commercial advertising. Just a few lame station id’s from yours truly. The button is below.

What’s In a Name?

The British Own The Programming With Our Big EP, a John Lennon Spotlight, and Live Stones, Saturday, August 10, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Today our programming comes from across the pond, as they say, with our ‘British Are Coming’ EP, a Lennon Spotlight and The Stones live in Toronto!

Here’s today’s musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The British Are Coming: Various Artists

We kick it off with our big, bad British Invasion and beyond EP. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Who, Dave Mason, Electric Light Orchestra, Petula Clark, The Zombies, The Hollies, Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five, The Bee Gees (no disco, please), the Moody Blues, Them, Herman’s Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Badfinger, The Yardbirds, Traffic, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals, Spencer-Davis Group, Cream, Donovan, The Searchers and more!

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

Today we begin a bit of solo Beatle stuff with our John Lennon Spotlight feature which covers his time with his mates, the Plastic Ono Band, and his solo career.

8:00 p.m. The Rolling Stones Live at Palais Royale, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 16, 2002

We close out the British programming today with The Rolling Stones live in Canada.

Yes, it’s officially Saturday and here we all are. In Boston, it’s a heavy rain day as we are visited by the remnants of Hurricane Debby. But it matters not. Because inside, it’s dry and the music is amazing. Just hit the button below.

Just Push Play!

Friday Brings Spotlights From Norah Jones and Randy Newman, Then It’s Three Great Texas Singer-Songwriters Together at The Bluebird Cafe, August 9, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re up and ready to go here today with some pretty eclectic programming from five great singer-songwriters, and it starts out with our newest Spotlight featuring Norah Jones.

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Norah Jones NEW!

We have knocked off another big one on our to-do list with the addition of this new Spotlight featuring singer-songwriter Norah Jones.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Randy Newman

Another great singer-songwriter is In the Spotlight this afternoon in Randy Newman.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark & Steve Earle Live at The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN, September 3, 1995

Back in 1995, Guy Clark’s wife Suzanna wanted to raise money for the Interfaith Dental Clinic, which cared for the oral health of uninsured, low-income working people and their children, and this gathering of three of the greatest singer-songwriters on the planet.

Here we are again on the cusp of another weekend, and we are focused on singer-songwriters today. Join us. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free. See for yourself. The button is below.

It’s Singer-Songwriters Day!

We Spend Thursday ‘Under The Influence’, Then It’s Bob Marley & The Wailers and Closing With CSNY, August 8, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Musical artists agree that “love” is probably the most sung about topic in the world, but drink and drugs can’t be far behind! We managed to locate five hours of music on the topic.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Under The Influence: Various Artists

Spend some mind-bending time with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Byrds, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones, Small Faces, Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Talking Heads, Neil Young, The Beatles, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Foreigner, Jonathan Edwards, John Lee Hooker, Donovan and more!

4:00 p.m. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at The Beacon Theater, New York, NY, May 1, 1976

The Legend and his mates live at the iconic Beacon Theater in New York.

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

We close out the program with our second favorite supergroup behind the Traveling Wilburys, and that’s CSNY (or sometimes, CSN and sometimes Y, depending up on how you look at it). Bands are like families. Sometimes they grind on each others’ nerves, but despite their sometimes contentions relationship, this band poured out a ton of great music.

We’re on the mark 24/7 with some of the best music on the planet. Best of all, we’re totally free and do not clog up the gears with commercial advertising.

Just Push Play. Seriously.

We Head to the Weekend With Our House EP, Simon & Garfunkel, and Clapton & Winwood, Thursday, August 1, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Here we are on the downslide to the weekend and at the beginning of a brand new month, and we’ve got a great lineup for you today that starts out with our official House EP!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The #BecomeUngovernable House EP: Various Artists

We’re back with the music that inspired the station, with 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, 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, Linda Ronstadt and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel

The kids who met in grammar school and who made their first live appearance in their teens went on to dominate the music scene and sell more than 100 million records worldwide.

7:00 p.m. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, February 25-28, 2008

Two masters of their craft together live on stage at Madison Square Garden with music from their days together in Blind Faith and beyond.

Great day to tune us in. It’s going to be brutal here today as we all grapple with global warming. (Yeah. And it is real.) But The Music Mermaid is cool as a cucumber here in The Lounge and she’ll keep everything on track. Just use the button below!

The #BU House EP!

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.