Category: The Blues

On Wednesday It’s Songs About Night, Wendy Waldman, and The Band Live in Asbury Park, Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’re at midweek and we’ve got great tunes to get you over the hump and on the downslide to the weekend.

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

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

We start out the day with songs about the night from Warren Zevon, the J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Doors, John Cougar Mellencamp, 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. In the Spotlight: The Music of Wendy Waldman

Wendy Waldman has had a diverse musical career, but she was an amazing vocalist during the seventies, singing with other great female singers and nurturing her own solo career. Later she moved to Nashville to focus on songwriting for other artists across many musical genres. She was also one of the first recognized female record producers. Today we put her ‘In the Spotlight.’

8:00 p.m. The Band Live at The Casino Arena, Asbury Park, N.J., July 20, 1976

Bob Dylan’s backup band, which he simply referred to as ‘the band’, took on that name and began a career that has made them one of the most influential acts in rock music history. We close out the programming with a live performance from Asbury Park tonight.

It’s midweek. We’re headed to the weekend from here, and we’ve got a great week of music planned to get you there. We’re on 24/7 with great programming built in to our big, wide Open Stream. See for yourselves. The button is below.

Midweek Music!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With Windy City Blues, a Robert Johnson ‘Spotlight’ and the Amazing Nina Simone, March 18, 2025

It’s another Tuesday Bluesday, bluesologists, and the music is quite good. We start out with five uninterrupted hours of Chicago blues, then it’s Robert Johnson and Nina Simone!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Chicago Blues: Various Artists

We start out in the Windy City with Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, Lowell Fulson, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Son Seals, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Otis Spann and more!

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

Although Johnson’s recording career spanned just seven months, he is one of the most influential blues artists in history. We’ve got his music here this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. Nina Simone Sings The Blues

Nina Simone’s long and storied career as a singer, songwriter and pianist has crossed many musical genres, but she can really belt out the blues. We close with her this evening.

Once again, we’re here 24/7 and we won’t cost you a thing. We don’t track. We don’t know who you are unless you write us, and that’s because we’re anti-capitalist music lovers. In these times you should know that we don’t access our files from any Trump supporters, nor will we. Ever. The button is below.

Windy City Blues!

On Monday It’s ‘The Founders’, a Gordon Lightfoot ‘Spotlight’ and Traffic Live at The Fillmore East, March 17, 2025

Good morning, working class! We’re here on another Monday to brighten your day with some great music, starting off with the folks who helped deliver rock n’ roll!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Founders: Various Artists

We start off by paying tribute to the founding artists of rock n’ roll, including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Hank Williams, Bill Haley & His Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Gordon Lightfoot

Our friend from the north drops by this afternoon. He is one of the 20th century’s most respected songwriters and is a national hero in Canada. His songs have been covered by many artists over the years, but it’s always great to hear him sing them.

8:00 p.m. Traffic Live at The Fillmore East, New York, NY, November 18, 1970

We close out the day’s programming with a great performance by Steve Winwood and Traffic live at The Fillmore East.

And so we begin another week. The weekend always seems to blow by so quickly and the week drags on and on, particularly in these trying times. But we’re here to try to make it just a bit more tolerable. The button is below.

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Spend Sunday With The Sixties, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, and James Taylor & Joni Mitchell, On March 16, 2025

Good morning, music lovers and welcome to Sunday where we begin with our ‘Original Sixties Rotation’, then a couple of extraordinary ‘couples’!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Original Sixties Rotation: Various Artists

A great way to start the day! You’ll hear The Beatles, The Monkees, Sonny & Cher, Joe Cocker, Little Eva, Simon & Garfunkel, The Everly Brothers, The Searchers, Dusty Springfield, The Drifters, The Dave Clark Five, Johnny Rivers, Bob Dylan, The Animals, Petula Clark, The Rolling Stones, Procol Harum, The Turtles, Del Shannon, The Temptations, James Brown, Fontella Bass, Blues Image, Booker T & The MGs, The Four Tops, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Them, The Left Banke, Fats Domino and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Kate & Anna McGarrigle

We spend some time this afternoon with two extraordinary sisters from Quebec whose compositions have helped build the careers of many, including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur and others. Today we hear them sing their own compositions.

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

We close out the evening with another extraordinary musical couple who were indeed a ‘couple’ at the time of this performance.

It’s a hazy, lazy Sunday once again. Cloudy here, but in the mid sixties today as we begin to move out of winter and into spring. We’re on 24/7 and we’re completely free. See for yourselves. The button is below.

The Sixties are Back!

On Saturday It’s ‘Music From Laurel Canyon, a Lucinda Williams ‘Spotlight’ and Live Steely Dan, March 15, 2025

Good morning, weekenders! We kick off relative peace and quiet of the weekend with some great music, starting with the artists of Laurel Canyon.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Music From Laurel Canyon: Various Artists

Two generations of musicians cross pollinated sounds and musical genres in Laurel Canyon, including The Byrds, The Mamas & The Papas, Buffalo Springfield, The Beach Boys, The Doors, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, CSNY, Manassas, John Mayall, The Eagles, J.D. Souther, Harry Nilsson, Canned Heat, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, James Taylor, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Lucinda Williams

Singer-songwriter and record producer extraordinaire Lucinda Williams takes the ‘Spotlight’ for a couple of hours this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. Steely Dan Live at Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, TN, April 30, 1974 NEW!

Surely one of the best and brightest bands of the seventies takes the stage in Memphis this evening.

Yeah. We’re free. Don’t believe it? We don’t run commercial advertising and make no profit. Don’t believe that? See for yourself. The button is below.

The Button is So Green!

On Friday It’s Songs About Food (Yeah, Food.), Live Bonnie Raitt and a Stevie Wonder ‘Spotlight’, March 14, 2025

Good morning, music lovers. We are on the cusp of the weekend once again and we start with songs about food. Then we’ve got some live early Bonnie Raitt and a Stevie Wonder ‘Spotlight’ feature.

Here’s your Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Foodies Only: Various Artists

Yeah, food. Songs from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sam & Dave, Harry Nilsson, Steely Dan, Cream, Fats Domino, Supertramp, Lucinda Williams, The Box Tops, Guy Clark, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Kinks, Bob Dylan and more!

4:00 p.m. Bonnie Raitt Live at The Rainbow Room, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA, February 22, 1972

Known as ‘the lost tape’ but it’s lost no more. This is a great performance from young Bonnie.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Stevie Wonder

We close out the programming today with a ‘Spotlight’ on the great Stevie Wonder.

Plenty of wide Open Stream today in between our programming, but never any commercial interruption. We’re anti-capitalist music lovers, and we never buy our files from Bezos. Ever. The button is below.

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Thursday It’s Songs About Water, Blood, Sweat & Tears ‘In the Spotlight’, and The All-Girl Revue, March 13, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! Today we open with songs about water which, of course, makes The Music Mermaid happy. Then it’s ;pioneering band B,S&T and volume four of the All-Girl Revue!

Here’s Thursday’s musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Water, Water Everywhere: Various Artists

Water takes many forms, and the earth is 71% water, so there are plenty of songs about it in all its forms. You’ll hear Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Otis Redding, The Doobie Brothers, Valerie Carter, Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Al Green, Loggins & Messina, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Linda Ronstadt, Spirit, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, The Grass Roots, Tom Rush, Donovan, America, Johnny Rivers, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Blood, Sweat & Tears

This band had two lives, thankfully, one under the great Al Kooper and another under David Clayton Thomas. Regardless who their leader was, they were a groundbreaking jazz-rock band and a great one at that.

8:00 p.m. The All-Girl Revue, Volume Four: Various Artists

Our celebration of Women’s Month continues with Carly Simon, Nicolette Larson, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Carole King, Rosanne Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Lucinda Williams, Janis Joplin, Martha & The Vandellas, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Valerie Carter and more!

Don’t make me say it over and over again. Just tune us in. You’ll see for yourself why this should be a routine for you…especially during these trying times. The button is below.

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We’re at Midweek With Music From Motor City, Tom Rush ‘In the Spotlight’, and Laura Nyro Live in Japan, March 12, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to midweek. We’ve got another fantastic lineup here to get you over the hump and put you on the downslide to the weekend.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. M is for Motown: Various Artists

We start with all the artists that helped put Motown on the map, including Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Barrett Strong, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Kim Weston, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Contours, Rare Earth, Mary Wells, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Tammi Terrell and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Tom Rush

A native New Englander drops by this afternoon to spin some tunes. His importance to music cannot be understated: He is known as the man who started the singer-songwriter genre more than six decades ago. He’s still going strong like the Energizer Bunny.

8:00 p.m. Laura Nyro Live in Japan, February 18-22, 1994

This was the tour when the late, great Laura Nyro conquered Japan. She was recorded live at Kintetsu Hall in Osaka on February 22, and also at On Air West on February 18 and 22.

We’re getting there, folks. We’re at midweek and we head toward another weekend. We’re here 24/7 to make the journey much more pleasant and we’re totally free of charge, and with no commercial interruptions. The button is below.

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It’s Tuesday With the ‘Ladies Sing The Blues’, Then It’s Live Paul Butterfield in Boston, and Bloomfield, Kooper and Stills Together On March 11, 2025

Good morning, blueologists, and welcome to another great Tuesday Bluesday here in The Lounge. We start off with five hours of uninterrupted blues from the ladies, then we move to vintage live Paul Butterfield and a great trio of blues-rock artists ‘in session.’

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

From old to new, you’ll hear 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! This playlist is also scheduled for an update, so stay tuned!

4:00 p.m. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Live at The Unicorn Coffee House, Boston, MA, Spring 1968

We’re not sure of the exact date, but we know it happened because it’s right here. This is an iconic band in another of those iconic Boston music venues that is no more. It’s a Wayback Machine event.

8:00 p.m. Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills Recorded at CBS Columbia Square Studios, Los Angeles, CA, May 1968

Another Wayback Machine event that took place after Bloomfield and Kooper had finished working with Bob Dylan on his Highway 61 Revisited album, and after they played in the backing band for Dylan’s 1965 performance at the Newport Folk Festival where he used electric instruments for the first time and ruffled quite a few feathers in the folk music world. The result was an album that peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200, where it remained for 37 weeks.

Blah. Blah. Blah. I could give you the usual closing, but I’m in a bit of a rush this morning. Back to the retail work week for me. The Music Mermaid is in charge until I return. The button is below.

Tuesday Bluesday!

On Monday ‘The British Are Coming’, Then It’s a Phoebe Snow ‘Spotlight’ and Live David Crosby On March 10, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to the beginning of the work week. We start off with music from across the pond, then we give you some Phoebe Snow and David Crosby.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

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

We start with music from the British Invasion and beyond from The Beatles, The Who, Dave Mason, Electric Light Orchestra, The Zombies, The Hollies, Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five, The Bee Gees, The Moody Blues, Rod Stewart, Them, Herman’s Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Badfinger, The Yardbirds, Traffic, Elton John, Lulu, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals, Manfred Mann, The Spencer Davis Group, Cream, Donovan, The Searchers and more!

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

This afternoon we continue celebrating Women’s Month with a ‘Spotlight’ featuring the late, great Phoebe Snow.

8:00 p.m. David Crosby Live at The Capitol Center, Port Chester, NY, December 8, 2018

We close out the day with the legendary David Crosby, a founding member of The Byrds, live at The Capitol Center.

We’re back to the work week once again, but it’s not all bad. We’ve got great music 24/7 to get you through. Period. Full stop. No membership required. No credit card required. No personal information asked. And no commercial advertising. Just great music all day and all night long without interruption. The button is below.

The British Are Coming!