Category: REGGAE

A Janis Joplin Spotlight Feature, A Playlist About Shoes, and Live John Hiatt Awaits You On Friday, July 5, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! Once again we’ve made it to the end of the working week. We’ve got some great stuff to get you through this last day before the weekend arrives!

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Janis Joplin

The reigning queen of blues-rock with Big Brother & The Holding Company, The Kozmic Blues Band and as a solo artist kicks off the festivities at 10:00 a.m.

3:00 p.m. Those Shoes: Various Artists

Who knew there were so many songs about shoes? You’ll hear from Steve Winwood, Elvis Presley, The Eagles, Little Feat, Norah Jones, Laura Nyro, Leon Russell, Traffic, The Beatles, Supertramp, Betty Everett, The Band, Paul Simon and more!

8:00 p.m. John Hiatt Live at The Bottom Line, New York City, NY, October 7, 1988 NEW!

John Hiatt is another of those singer-songwriters who puts people on the map. His songs of redemption and relationships have been covered by nearly one hundred artists, from Linda Ronstadt (a brilliant rendering of his We Ran), to Steve Earle to Iggy Pop. Today we put him In The Spotlight singing his own music.

Here we are on the cusp of another weekend. We’ve got your back as we work our way through the day. Before, in between, and after this programming we give you our big, wide Open Stream on a 24/7 basis, at no charge and with no commercial interruption. Just use the button below.

Just Push Play. Okay?

Celebrate the Fourth With Songs About Being Free and Our New ‘Summer of Love Countdown’, Thursday, July 4, 2024

Good morning, freedom lovers! Should we truly be celebrating? Maybe not at this time, but we all know what we have to do and that’s all I’ll say in this venue. But every day is a good music day here in The Mermaid Lounge!

Here’s your Fourth of July musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. Free As A Bird: Various Artists

We start out the day with songs about being free, both politically and otherwise, with the Edgar Winter Group, Cream, Steve Winwood, The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jesse Winchester, The Byrds, Dusty Springfield, Bob Dylan, Delaney & Bonnie, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Allen Toussaint, Chicago and more!

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

Before we begin, let’s dispel some musical misinformation. I often see the Summer of Love used in conjunction with 1969. That is incorrect. I think people make that association because of Woodstock. But the Summer of Love was actually in 1967. This is not a difference of opinion. This is a matter of historical fact. Full stop. Done. Now, we do have Summer of Love playlists already, but those are a bit different. This is a playlist of the biggest songs on the radio during the summer and into fall of 1967. The actual real Summer of Love. We’ll be focusing on the songs and artists from that musical time period over the next week or two.

After all this great stuff, we’ll be on our big, wide Open Stream of more than 27,000 songs. And who knows what The Music Mermaid will do while I’m out there enjoying my family today. It’s all in her hands after this. And remember, we’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free.

Happy Fourth of July!

We’re At Midweek With Our ‘House’ EP, the Band Called Love In The Spotlight, and Surf Music! Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Good morning, surfer dudes and dudettes…and everyone in between. We are kicking off summer this week here in The Mermaid Lounge and we’re beginning a Summer of Love celebration tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

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

This was one of our very first (and small) playlists that grew into our little musical manifesto. You’ll hear Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, T. Rex, The Beatles, 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, The Association, Richie Havens, Marvin Gaye, Phil Ochs, Janis Joplin, Tom Rush, Pete Seeger, Nina Simone and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Love NEW!

Nope. Not music about love. But music from the band named Love, one of the best of the sixties bands that you may not even know. It was Tom Petty who got me started on Love. It was not an intuitive discovery. If you have heard of them, then congratulations! If you haven’t, give a listen.

8:00 p.m. Going To Surf City: Various Artists

Surfer music is a musical genre all its own, and we haven’t spun this one in forever, so it’s time to break it out. You’ll hear The Beach Boys, Dick Dale & His Deltones, The Trashmen, The Challengers, Jan & Dean, The Surfaris, The Chantays, The Blue Stingrays and more! And here we have another connection to Tom Petty. The Blue Stingrays are essentially The Heartbreakers without Tom Petty, playing some of the coolest surfer music on record, and led by one of the best guitarists on the planet, Mike Campbell.

We’re on 24/7 at no cost to the listening public, and with absolutely no commercial interruption. Drop by The Mermaid Lounge. The button’s below.

Celebrate Summer With Us!

The Ladies Open Up Tuesday Bluesday, Followed by Robert Johnson and Jimi Hendrix, July 2, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists! We’ve got yet another great Tuesday Bluesday in store for you all today, beginning with our ‘Ladies Sing The Blues’ multi-artist EP.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Sing The Blues: Various Artists

The ladies are large and in charge to start the festivities, including Billie Holliday, Big Mama Thornton, Ruth Brown, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Christine McVie, Marcia Ball, Ellen McIlwaine, Susan Tedeschi, Irma Thomas, Tracy Nelson, Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, Shawn Murphy, Angela Strehli, Aretha Franklin, The Blues Broads and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Robert Johnson

Although Johnson’s recording career spanned only seven years, he is one of the most influential artists in the history of blues music. Robert Johnson passed away at the age of 27 and is one of the earliest members of the fabled ‘27 Club‘.

8:00 p.m. Jimi Hendrix and The Blues NEW!

When we think of Jimi Hendrix, we think of rock and psychedelia. But guess what? Jimi Hendrix loved the blues and he did play the blues too. We bring the receipts tonight.

It’s another great Tuesday Bluesday here in the lounge, and we’re working on adding new blues music. We started today with Hendrix. Drop in and visit. It won’t cost you a penny. Just use the button below.

It’s Tuesday Bluesday!

We Step Into July With Our ’27 and Gone’ Playlist, a David Crosby Spotlight Feature and Live Little Feat, Monday, July 1, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We turn the page on a new chapter today with a pretty great playlist, including one from members of the fabled ’27 Club.’

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. 27 and Gone: Various Artists

The lore and legend behind the ’27 Club’ is often the stuff of conspiracy theories. It reminds me of the ‘Paul is dead’ hysteria that spread across the nation back in the day. What we essentially have here is a bunch of really great musicians who left us far too soon; no big conspiracy needed: Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Pete Ham (Badfinger), Blind Al Wilson (Canned Heat), Amy Winehouse, Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones), Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (The Grateful Dead), bluesman Robert Johnson, and Spanky McFarlane (Spanky & Our Gang). Today we pay them remembrance.

3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of David Crosby

A founding member of both The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young), and a formidable solo artist was he. Yes, he was a bit prickly, but some people are.

7:00 p.m. Little Feat Live at Ultrasonic Studios, Hempstead, NY, April 10, 1973

We close out the programming today with Little Feat live in-studio from 1973.

We’re here 24/7; not just when there’s programming. Before, in between and after our programming, you’ll hear more than 27,000 songs circulated all day, all night by our resident Music Mermaid. And there’s no endless DJ chatter or commercial advertising. Did I mention we’re 100% free?

Monday, Monday.

We Close Out The Month With Wendy Waldman, The ‘Ladies Day Out’ EP, and Live Carole King, June 30, 2024

Good morning, musicologists. When we say nobody plays the women of music like we do, we mean it. And we back it up. It’s a Ladies Only kind of day here in The Mermaid Lounge.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Wendy Waldman

I dare say some may not know who Wendy Waldman is, but those who were enmeshed in the women of music during the seventies will. She was one of those women during an era where women banded together over music in the face of a totally male-dominated environment, and helped each other out by appearing on each other’s albums. It was certainly a great time in music. There was minimal competition among the women, and a whole lot of camaraderie. Wendy Waldman may not have been a ‘star’ in that sky, but she made some amazing albums and has a great voice, and her peers knew it. Tune her in.

1:00 p.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

We close the month with one of our favorite EP’s featuring 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, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi, Valerie Carter, Dusty Springfield, Dolly Parton and more!

8:00 p.m. Carole King Live From Central Park, New York City, NY, May 26, 1973 NEW!

Billed as the ‘Home Again’ show, it was all that. Carole King is a legend in the annals of women’s music, starting out as a songwriter in the famous Brill Building. She then went on to build an amazing solo career highlighted by the release of Tapestry, a legendary album. We have her live from Central Park tonight.

We’re on 24/7 with absolutely no commercial interruption. And best of all, we’re totally free every day. No lie. No bait and switch. See for yourself. The button’s below.

Ladies Day Out Indeed!

It’s Saturday in The Lounge With ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’, Jesse Winchester and Jefferson Airplane, June 29, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re making our way into the dog days of summer. But we’re cool in The Lounge with a folk music start and a psychedelic finish.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Folk Music From A-To-Z: Various Artists

Songs about hope and bravery is what the early folk music movement was all about. In this EP, 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, Tom Rush, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, James Taylor, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, Neil Young and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Jesse Winchester

We continue the folk music vibe before we swing into something a bit more…psychedelic. I was fortunate enough to have seen Jesse Winchester perform twice, the first time as the opening act for Emmylou Harris; the second as the headliner. Bob Dylan, the master songwriter himself, once said of Jesse Winchester, “You can’t talk about the best songwriters and not include him.” Indeed.

8:00 p.m. Jefferson Airplane Live at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, May 7, 1969 NEW!

We had the Airplane soaring high over Golden Gate Park as we were moving out of the sixties and into the next decade. However, I beg to differ with people out there talking about 1969 as the ‘Summer of Love.’ Not true. The ‘Summer of Love’ happened in 1967. We have definitive proof, so stop spreading musical misinformation. But I digress, and I apologize.

Speaking of the ‘Summer of Love’, it happened during a banner year in music and we will be celebrating the ‘Summer of Love’ during July, so stick around. Remember, we’re totally free 24/7 with no commercial interruptions. No lie. No bait and switch. Nope.

Folk Music!

On Finally Friday, We’ve Got Beatles Bookends and Volume Two of ‘The Sixties Rotation’ EP, June 28, 2024

Good morning, Beatlemaniacs! Today we open and close with something from The Fab Four, and we have the sixties smack dab in the middle.

Here’s your Finally Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Beatles: The Complete Rooftop Concert, January 30, 1969

An unplanned, impromptu concert on the the roof of Apple’s Saville Row building made everyone’s lunch hour better back in 1969. It was The Beatles’ very last live performance together as a band. I have to tell you that assembling a complete replication of this event is difficult, at best. Missing from this performance is their impromptu take on God Save the Queen, which was in the film, but is difficult to find out there. However, we will continue on and attempt to assemble the most complete representation we can find. In the meantime, there’s this, which is more complete than the one we’ve aired in the past.

2:00 p.m. The Sixties Rotation, Volume Two: Various Artists

Today, we’ve got the second volume of our favorite sixties songs with The Mamas & The Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Jefferson Airplane, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, Sly & The Family Stone, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Roy Orbison, The Yardbirds, The Animals, Linda Ronstadt, Wilson Pickett, The Band, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, The Ronettes, The Kinks, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimmy Cliff, The Byrds, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Blind Faith, Marvin Gaye, The Doors, The Box Tops, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and more!

9:00 p.m. The Beatles: The Singles Collection

We close out the evening with another Beatles gem: Every single released worldwide, including all the B-sides.

Before, in between and after we’ve got our big, wide Open Stream of 27,000 files and growing daily! We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free and we run no commercial advertising. What’s not to love?

The Beatles!

We Take a Trip On ‘The Psychedelic Express,’ Then It’s Live Jimi Hendrix and Carly Simon, Thursday, June 27, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We are officially over the hump and are on the downslide to the weekend. Today we start out on ‘The Psychedelic Express,’ then it’s on to some live music.

Here’s your mind bending lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Psychedelic Express: Various Artists

Truly a favorite genre in The Mermaid Lounge and, once again, pioneered by The Fab Four. In addition to The Beatles, you’ll hear Vanilla Fudge, The Chambers Brothers, 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, Traffic, Cream, Dr. John, Procol Harum, The Who, Canned Heat, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Tommy James & The Shondell, Mudcrutch, Blind Faith, The Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, Big Brother & The Holding Company and more!

4:00 p.m. Jimi Hendrix Live at The Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA, May 30, 1970

We’ve got Hendrix in a great live performance this afternoon that took place just months before his untimely death.

8:00 p.m. Carly Simon Live at Grand Central Station, New York, NY, April 2, 1995 NEW!

It was Jackie Onassis’ idea for Carly Simon to perform at Grand Central Station as a precursor to her first tour in 14 years. We’ve got it for you here this evening.

We’re on track for another great music day here in The Mermaid Lounge. All you need to do is push the button below!

The Psychedelic Express!

We’re at Midweek With ‘A Little Bit O’Soul’, Live Bob Marley and Ry Cooder In the Spotlight, Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Good morning, musicologists. We’re at midweek and we’ve got our ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP, The Wailers at The Record Plant and a brand new Spotlight featuring Ry Cooder.

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Ry Cooder Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

This is the big kahuna of soul with 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, The Box Tops, Jr Walker & The All Stars, Percy Sledge, Al Green and more.

4:00 p.m. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, October 13, 1973

The Legend and his bandmates take over The Record Plant for a great performance.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Ry Cooder NEW!

Truly one of the most incredible artists of our time. To this day, Linda Ronstadt calls Ry Cooder the best guitarist she’s ever worked with. He is a master of the slide guitar, and is one of the most sought-after studio musicians. He is also known for his collaborations with a variety of artists from a variety of musical backgrounds, like Taj Mahal, The Chieftains, and Ali Farka Toure. Ry Cooder has earned his place In The Spotlight.

Once we’re over the hump, we’re on the downslide to the weekend again. Tune us in and make the midweek mayhem easier. We’re totally free 24/7 and we do not run commercial advertising. Ever.

Just Push Play.