The Ladies Are in Charge, We’ve Got Allen Toussaint and Volume Three of ‘Summer of Love’, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’ve got a great programming gig going to close the month of July as we put the ladies in charge for a good portion of the day. We also manage to squeeze in the final volume of ‘The Summer of Love’ playlist series.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

We’ve got the women of music large and in charge to start off the day. You’ll 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, The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Norah Jones, Phoebe Snow, Nicolette Larson, Susan Tedeschi, Valerie Carter and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Allen Toussaint

This afternoon we feature the grand musical ambassador from New Orleans In The Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. The Summer of Love, Volume Three: Various Artists

We close out the month of July with volume three of our ‘Summer of Love’ playlist with Lulu, The Rascals, The Youngbloods, Janis Ian, The Who, The Doors, The Association, The Rolling Stones, The Turtles, The Beatles, Wilson Pickett, Vanilla Fudge, Jackie Wilson and more!

We’re here 24/7. When you get up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep, we’re here. We’re here in the in the morning. We are also totally free of charge and we do not run commercial advertising. The button’s below.

The Day Opens and Closes With Country, With Five Hours of Soul and R&B in Between, Friday, July 26, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! Today we open and close the programming with country music, but in between we’ve got our big, bad soul EP!

Here’s your country-soul programming:

We open with something that has been on the list for a very long time; an Alison Krauss Spotlight featuring her solo work along with her days with Union Station and her collaboration with Robert Plant.

1:00 p.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

We break for the afternoon and spend time with the titans of soul, including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Ruffin, Carla Thomas, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder, 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, Percy Sledge and more!

8:00 p.m. The Unbroken Circle: The Music of Rosanne Cash & Carlene Carter

The Johnny Cash-June Carter connection ran deeper than marriage. They were married to music as well. Tonight we give you the music of stepsisters Rosanne Cash and Carlene Carter.

It’s Songs About Colors, Volume Two of ‘The Summer of Love’ and Chuck Berry In The Spotlight, Saturday, July 20, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We are celebrating summer once again with volume two of our ‘Summer of Love’ playlist but not until we have songs about colors. Later, it’s Chuck Berry.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Color My World: Various Artists

Songs about colors in the title, lyrics or both. In case you thought Paint It Black was only one of a handful of songs, think again. 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 & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, J.D. Souther, Linda Ronstadt and more!

4:00 p.m. Summer of Love, Volume Two: Various Artists

Today we continue the songs of 1967 with volume two of our ‘Summer of Love’ playlist. You’ll hear Jefferson Airplane, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Aretha Franklin, Buffalo Springfield, The Beatles, The Grass Roots, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, The Turtles, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, Cream, Bobbie Gentry and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Chuck Berry

Tonight we close with one of the main architects of rock n’ roll, Mr. Chuck Berry, firmly In The Spotlight.

We’re here 24/7, programming or not. We have our big, wide Open Stream of never-ending songs. Our repeats are so far apart that they are like new when you hear them all over again. Either button will do.

On Your Day of Rest, It’s a Grass Roots Spotlight, the ‘In Your Dreams’ EP, and Live Allman Brothers, Sunday, July 7, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! It’s Sunday Funday in The Lounge and we’ve finally put together a Spotlight feature on The Grass Roots, one of those great sixties-seventies ‘hits’ bands.

Here’s your Sunday funday lineup:

Not every band that gets airtime in The Mermaid Lounge is a game-changer or full of musical geniuses. Sometimes they just make fucking great music and chart like crazy. And so it is with The Grass Roots, one of those great sixties-seventies bands whose music is instantly recognizable and makes you want to sing along.

1:00 p.m. In Your Dreams: Various Artists

Spend your afternoon with some dreamers, including The Everly Brothers, the Moody Blues, Van Morrison, the Flying Burrito Brothers, The Monkees, The Mamas & The Papas, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Widespread Panic, Jackson Browne, Mudcrutch, Aretha Franklin, Patsy Cline, Harry Chapin, Roy Orbison, Townes Van Zandt, Electric Prunes, Dusty Springfield, Melissa Etheridge, John Prine, Tom Rush, Electric Light Orchestra and more!

8:00 p.m. The Allman Brothers Band Live at The Beacon Theater, New York, NY, March 19, 2009

Another one of those great Beacon Theater performances by The Brothers. This one helped along by an appearance in the second half by Eric Clapton.

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!

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

We End The Month With ‘Ladies Day Out,’ Janis Live at Winterland and a Brandi Carlile Spotlight, on Friday, May 31, 2024

Good morning, music lovers and welcome to Friday, where we celebrate the women of music with our ‘Ladies Day Out’ EP for starters. Then, it’s Janis live at Winterland Ballroom and a new Brandi Carlile Spotlight feature.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

We start out strong with five hours of uninterrupted women power from across all genres. You’ll hear Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Emmylou Harris, Petula Clark, Laura Nyro, Cilla Black, Irma Thomas, 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 Crow, Susan Tedeschi, Valerie Carter, Dusty Springfield, Dolly Parton and more!

4:00 p.m. Janis Joplin Live at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA, April 12, 1968

We’ve got Janis Joplin captured live during a two-night residency at the famed Winterland Ballroom this afternoon.

I’ve been listening to and loving Brandi Carlile’s music for a while now and this has been a long time coming. Watching her perform the late, great John Prine’s Angel From Montgomery with one of my musical idols, Bonnie Raitt, during Mothership just this month certainly gave me the impetus to get this done. Her music has also been added to our standard rotation.

It’s Saturday and We’ve Got ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’, a Dylan Spotlight for His 83rd, and ‘Live’ Bobbie Gentry, May 25, 2024

Good morning and welcome to Memorial Day Weekend! We’re not going anywhere; we’re sitting tight here in The Mermaid Lounge playing music all weekend and we’ve got some great stuff lined up!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

Yes, we kick it all off with our big, bad soul and R&B extended playlist where you’ll hear 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, Joe Tex, Ann Peebles, Al Green and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Bob Dylan

The poet laureate of music turned 83 years young yesterday and we are putting him In The Spotlight where he belongs as one of the best songwriters in the history of any kind of music, among other things.

8:00 p.m. Bobbie Gentry Live at The BBC, 1968-1969

Speaking of great songwriters, we’ve got Bobbie Gentry recorded live at the BBC over year’s period. She brings along special guests Donovan and James Taylor as well.

Get in on it. We’re rolling here all day and night with absolutely no interruption and no commercial advertising. We don’t need your credit card. We’re all about the music.

It’s ‘Ladies Sing The Blues,’ Susan Tedeschi and Big Mama & Muddy In Session, on Tuesday Bluesday, May 7, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists, and welcome to another Tuesday Bluesday here in The Lounge, where the blues are great and the living is not always easy, but hey.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

We kick it off with the ladies of the blues, 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 Susan Tedeschi

This afternoon it’s Boston original Susan Tedeschi, solo artist and one of the leaders of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, In The Spotlight.

7:00 p.m. Big Mama Thornton and The Muddy Waters Blues Band In Session at Coast Recorders, San Francisco, CA, April 25, 1966

We jump into the Wayback Machine to close out Tuesday Bluesday with Big Mama and Muddy live together at Coast Recorders.

Tuesday Bluesday is now in its sixth year here in The Mermaid Lounge and is always one of our most popular days, so give it a listen. We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free of charge, and devoid of commercial advertising. We’re radio the way it was meant to be.