Category: Soul Music

We Hit Our Midweek Stride with ‘House’ EP, the Music of John Sebastian and a Toots & The Maytals Spotlight on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We are at the midweek point and we’ve got our ‘House’ EP all cued up and ready to go, followed by John Sebastian and Toots & The Maytals.

Here’s your musical landscape for today:

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

Ah, yes. One of the first playlists we ever put together here. It started with two hours and became an EP very quickly. You’ll hear Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, Genesis, 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, The Plastic Ono Band, George Harrison, 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 and more!

4:00 p.m. The Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of John Sebastian

A fixture in Laurel Canyon and a pioneer in folk-rock, John Sebastian takes his second turn as this week’s featured singer-songwriter.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Toots & The Maytals

We get into some great ska and rocksteady tonight with Toots & The Maytals. Formed in the early 1960’s, the Maytals were a major influence in the popularization of Reggae music.

Jump in! The music’s fine! We play the best 60’s and 70’s music (not just the hits) on a 24/7 basis at no charge to you. And we do not accept commercial advertising. See for yourself. All you need to do is hit the button below.

Midweek in the Mermaid Lounge!

We’ve Got Linda Ronstadt In the Spotlight, Our ‘Looks Like Rain’ Playlist, and Roy Orbison on Monday, September 25, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We’re back to the work week and we’ve got a great lineup today with a couple of programs we haven’t aired in a while!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Linda Ronstadt

The Queen of Rock (and our resident favorite female artist) was a bit of a misnomer after the seventies because Ronstadt could sing just about any genre she wanted in an impressive manner. This playlist proves it.

3:00 p.m. Looks Like Rain: Various Artists

It’s pouring here today, so this is appropriate. Who’s singing about the rain? You’ll hear The Rascals, Willie Nelson, the Grateful Dead, The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Poco, James Taylor, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Carole King, Irma Thomas, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Melanie, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Eurythmics, Fats Domino, America, Linda Ronstadt, ,The James Gang, Joni Mitchell, The Searchers, The Eagles, Electric Light Orchestra, The Lovin’ Spoonful and more!

8:00 p.m. Roy Orbison & Friends: The Original Black & White Concert

On September 30, 1987 at the Ambassador Hotel’s Cocoanut Grove Nightclub, Roy Orbison and his friends got together for a concert of his many hits and it was filmed entirely in black & white. Those who participated included Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, and Tom Waits. These folks sang background on many of the songs and played guitar as well. The backing band was the TCB band, who backed Elvis from 1969 until his death in 1977: Glen D. Hardin on piano, James Burton on lead guitar, Jerry Scheff on bass, and Ronnie Tutt on drums. A splendid time was had by all.

It’s a perfect day to tune us in. We’re here and we’re ready to rock and roll, as they say. So, let’s get our shit together and get this show on the road.

Monday, Monday

Sunday Brings Rosanne Cash and Her AOW, and ‘The Original Sixties Rotation’ Multi-Artist EP, September 24, 2023

Yeah, we keep it pretty simple on Sundays with plenty of wide Open Stream! We will be kicking the programming part of our program with Rosanne Cash.

Here’s your musical lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: The River & The Thread by Rosanne Cash NEW!

This is Rosanne Cash’s critically-acclaimed thirteenth studio album released in 2014 with help from Mermaid Lounge musicians in good standing, Derek Trucks, Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson and Tony Joe White. Not to be missed.

3:00 p.m. The Original Sixties Rotation: Various Artists

This particular EP focuses on the early-to-mid sixties (although I’m sure I’ve slipped in some songs from the latter part of the decade). You’ll hear Del Shannon, Little Eva, The Drifters, The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Hollies, The Walker Brothers, Mary Wells, Dusty Springfield, The Searchers, The Monkees, Sonny & Cher, Petula Clark, Glen Campbell, Johnny Rivers, The Dave Clark Five, The Supremes, Harry Nilsson, The Band, The Yardbirds, The Kinks, Simon & Garfunkel, Blind Faith, Janis Joplin, Chuck Berry, The Temptations, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Bob Dylan Tony Joe White, Barry McGuire, Procol Harum, Fats Domino and more!

Hell, it’s a day of rest and that’s what you should be doing. Kick off your shoes, sit back, roll one up and get into the music. You won’t regret it. We’re on 24/7, we’re free of charge and we’re also free of commercial advertising. What’s not to love?

The Original Sixties Rotation

On Friday, We’re ‘All Fired Up’, We Say Farewell to Garcia/Hunter, and Listen to Dylan and George Harrison’s Columbia Sessions, September 22, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We feature a brand new playlist today about fire and flame called ‘All Fired Up.’ Not quite an EP, but it may eventually get there! And there’s more, of course.

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. All Fired Up: Various Artists NEW!

Today we debut a brand new playlist that does not quite qualify as an EP, but it may yet get there. Time will tell. In the meantime, you’ll be hearing from an eclectic bunch, including Basia, Electric Light Orchestra, The Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood, James Taylor, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Three Dog Night, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Shawn Colvin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Patti Smith, Steely Dan, Jimmy Cliff, Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Deep Purple, Harry Nilsson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Stevie Nicks, Tim Buckley, Al Green, The Neville Brothers, Buckwheat Zydeco, The Move, The Shelters, Pat Benatar, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin and more!

4:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter FINAL AIRING!

We say sayonara to our two intrepid composers today who were responsible for some of the Dead’s most memorable tunes. Tomorrow we’ll have a brand new selection.

8:00 p.m. Bob Dylan and George Harrison, The Columbia Studio Sessions, New York City, NY, May 1, 1970

There were a lot of rumors surrounding this particular event. I heard it that they were supposed to hang with Elvis that day but that he stood them up. Then I read that it was the other way around. Elvis had actually stood them up. Either way, the whole Elvis thing was a bust and the boys wound up making some fine music together that day.

Here we are on the cusp of another weekend. One more day to go, and we can certainly improve your attitude because nobody’s playing the shit we play. Nope. Nobody. And we’re not charging a joining fee, asking for a credit card, or your personal information. It’s all about the music.

All Fired Up!

Thursday Brings the ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP, “Cahoots” by The Band, and New, Live Emmylou Harris, September 21, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We are headed for the weekend once again with a great musical lineup to get you there, including a ‘lost’ concert by Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers recorded in Nashville.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Yes, various artists over various decades, some who are steeped in folk music history and those who simply pay homage to this great musical genre. You’ll hear John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Phil Ochs, Odetta, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Cahoots by The Band

Coming around again. If you haven’t heard it yet and you’re curious, this is the time. Only one final airing left on Saturday.

7:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers, The Lost Nashville Concert, Recorded September 1990 NEW!

This event happened about seven months prior to their great live show at The Ryman, which led to the eventual revitalization of this great music hall, the original home of The Grand Ole’ Opry. We have played that one here before. This particular outing is a completely different set list of songs, twenty-three in all. It’s a beautiful thing.

We’re getting closer to the weekend, folks, and what better way to get there than with some great music. We’ve got it here today like we do every day. We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we do not accept commercial advertising.

Folk Music From A-To-Z!

We’re at Midweek With the ‘Are You Ready for The Country’ EP, Garcia/Hunter, and Songs About Shoes, Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We’re at midweek and we’re loaded with good music today with two multi-artist playlists, one extended, one not. Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter are back as our singer-songwriters for the week.

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Are You Ready For The Country: Various Artists

We don’t play bad pop bands with fiddles. We play real country along with the musicians who helped to establish the country-rock genre. You’ll hear Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Pure Prairie League, Asleep at The Wheel, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Marshall Tucker Band, Jerry Jeff Walker, Mudcrutch, The Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Glen Campbell, Rosanne Cash, Dan Fogelberg, New Riders of The Purple Sage, John Prine, The Desert Rose Band, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and more!

4:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter

The duo is back for their second spin as this week’s featured singer-songwriters.

8:00 p.m. Those Shoes: Various Artists

Shoes. Essential to our existence, unless we are lucky enough to live on a deserted island where we can walk barefoot without worry. You’ll hear Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Steve Winwood, John Lee Hooker, The Everly Brothers, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Traffic, Gram Parsons, Betty Everett, Leon Russell, The Beatles, Elmore James, Little Feat, The Eagles and more!

We’re over the hump today and on the downslide to the weekend once again. No better way to get through this day and closer to the dream than with some great music. And that’s what we’ve got. See for yourself. And we won’t cost you a penny. Ever.

Midweek Music!

Monday’s Back, But We’ve Got the Best of Reggae & Ska, America In the Spotlight, and New ‘Live’ George Harrison, September 18, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We’re back to help ease you into Monday with our ‘Best of Reggae & Ska’ playlist, a Spotlight featuring America and George Harrison in Maryland on The Dark Horse Tour.

Here’s your Monday lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Best of Reggae, Ska and Rocksteady: Various Artists

We’ve got all the greats with Prince Buster, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Judy Mowatt, Jimmy Cliff, Basil Gabbidon, The Rhythm Aces, Derrick Morgan, Laurel Aitken, Count Lasher, The Jiving Juniors, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Desmond Dekker, The I-Threes, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals and more!

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

America is most remembered for their string of folk hits, like Sister Golden Hair, Tin Man, Sandman (a really great tune), and Don’t Cross the River. But America made some of the most alluring and creative music that was not released as singles. Albums like Hat Trick, Hideaway and Holiday had some incredible unreleased tunes on them. Give this playlist a listen and you can hear them.

7:00 p.m. George Harrison Live at The Capitol Centre, Landover, MD, December 13, 1974 NEW!

George Harrison on the Dark Horse Tour, which was somehow billed as a disaster. There was a lot of that going around after The Beatles broke up. Nevertheless, George Harrison went on to have a great solo career, proving himself an amazing songwriter and musician, and the founding genius behind The Traveling Wilburys.

Start your week off on the right foot but getting behind some great music. We’re on 24/7 without commercial interruption and we are free of charge. Join our international community now!

The Best of Reggae & Ska

We’re Back to Simple Sunday Here With Our AOW by The Band and the ‘Under The Influence’ EP, September 17, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! We’re back to our keep-it-simple Sunday mode here with our Album of The Week and our ‘Under The Influence’ EP.

Here’s you musical landscape:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Cahoots by The Band NEW!

A Mermaid Lounge favorite is back today. We’re of the opinion that The Band never made a bad album. This one is no exception, although it didn’t get the attention it deserved after their incredible run of Music From Big Pink, The Band (the amazing brown album) and Stage Fright. It’s our Album of The Week starting today.

3:00 p.m. Under The Influence: Various Artists

Likewise, we believe there’s nothing like being under the influence on the weekend. You’ll hear from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Arlo Guthrie, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, Donovan, Glen Frey, John Lee Hooker, Jonathan Edwards, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, The Traveling Wilburys, The Temptations, Small Faces, Steely Dan, The Beatles, Talking Heads, Neil Young, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Velvet Underground, the Rolling Stones, Dave Van Ronk, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Jackson Browne, Steve Winwood, Led Zeppelin, Harry Chapin, The Band, The Fraternity of Man and more!

It’s an official ‘day of rest’ on the planet, and we are big believers in that stuff. So kick off your heels, sit back and soak in some of the best music on the planet. Free. No strings. No commercial advertising either. No lie.

Life Is a Carnival.

It’s Crazy in The Lounge Today! We Say Farewell to Our AOW and Jagger/Richards, and Welcome the Ladies of Music and Garcia/Hunter, Saturday, September 16, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! It’s an unusually busy day here on a Saturday because we dedicated Friday to The Beatles, our big-ass House Band. We’ve got some cramming to do today!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Red Rose Speedway by Paul McCartney & Wings FINAL AIRING!

We bid a fond farewell to this week’s album. Tomorrow, we’ll have a brand new selection for you.

11:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

We’ll have an update coming soon but, in the meantime, you can 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, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Norah Jones, Phoebe Snow, Nicolette Larson, Sheryl Crowe, Susan Tedeschi, Valerie Carter, Dusty Springfield, Dolly Parton and more!

6:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Mick Jagger & Keith Richards FINAL AIRING!

We say our goodbyes to this week’s featured singer-songwriting duo of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

10:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter NEW!

And we ring in our featured singer-songwriters for the coming week! While it’s true that Robert Hunter didn’t “sing” we like to bend the rules here. They started out as a folk duo during the sixties and wound up writing some classic Grateful Dead tunes, like Dark Star, Shakedown Street, Casey Jones, Fire On The Mountain and many others.

Yeah, it’s busy, but the living is easy and the music is outstanding. Kick off those shoes and tune us in. It’s Saturday!

Ladies Day Out!

We’ve Got One Event at the Week’s End: The Beatles 1962-1970, Chronologically Speaking, Friday, September 15, 2023

Good morning, Beatle fans! We’ve put some work into this one, giving you a total Beatles experience for just over nine hours. No commercial. No chatter. Just Beatles.

You’ve got one job today:

10:00 a.m. The Beatles 1962-1970: Chronologically Speaking NEW!

Today we give you all the Beatle songs released between 1962 and 1970 in the order in which they were recorded, from Love Me Do to Get Back, with no chat and no commercial interruption. It’s just a hair over nine hours of music.

For those who would like to hear some background about some of the songs (and some of the information is totally fascinating), we’re seriously considering bringing back our series of a few years ago called Brunch With The Beatles. We’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy one of our House bands on this fine Friday. We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we do not run commercial advertising. Evah.

The Beatles 1962-1970