Tag: In The Spotlight

The Weekend Begins With The Sixties Rotation, Linda Ronstadt, and The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Saturday, March 30, 2024

Good morning, weekenders and welcome to The Mermaid Lounge where we give you our ‘Original Sixties Rotation’ to start, followed by Heart Like A Wheel, and closing with The Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Nothing like The Sixties from a musical perspective, and we’ve got the early-to-mid portion of the decade this morning with The Beatles, The Monkees, Simon & Garfunkel, Sonny & Cher, The Everly Brothers, The Searchers, The Drifters, Dusty Springfield, 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, The Box Tops, Them, The Left Banke and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Heart Like A Wheel by Linda Ronstadt FINAL FINAL!

Today we not only say farewell to a brilliant album but also to our Album of The Week features, which has been in place for five years. Time to move on, but we will be featuring albums as part of our standard rotation.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of The Tedeschi Trucks Band

What we have here is the best damned blues-rock and on the planet led by a brilliant blues singer in Susan Tedeschi, and the best blues-rock guitarist in the business in Derek Trucks.

The weekend is here, people and we are geared up for a great weekend of music as we make several programming changes. But there are things that never change: We never charge for our musical programming, and we don’t ask for your personal information. We’re all about the music, not making money.

Welcome, Weekenders!

It’s Monday and We’ve Got Linda Ronstadt, The Flying Burrito Brothers and a CCR Spotlight Later, March 25, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We are on a roll here with a bit of a new approach. We’ve got a lot of music already in our arsenal and we’re adding new live ‘gigs’ and Spotlights.

Here’s Monday’s music:

10:00 a.m. Linda Ronstadt Live at Television Center Studios, Hollywood, CA, April 24, 1980

Another great live performance by the undisputed Queen of Rock (sorry, Taylor). This was recorded at a time when Ronstadt was at the peak of her reign as America’s most popular singer.

3:00 p.m. The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at My Father’s Place, Roslyn, Long Island, NY, November 28, 1976

One of the pioneering bands of the country-rock genre whose members were ever present in the Laurel Canyon scene. Today they are live from an iconic venue.

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Creedence Clearwater Revival

In 1969 alone, Creedence released 3 albums, had 4 hit US singles, performed on the Ed Sullivan show twice, toured the US and headlined the Woodstock Festival. They went on to become one of the most successful bands of its generation and the music has stood the test of time.

It’s supposed to be sunny here today, but as I look at my weather app, it ends there. Today will be followed by four days of rain. Nobody will convince me that the weather in the Boston area isn’t changing. Virtually no snow three years running, but plenty of rain. But I digress. Tune us in. We’re on 24/7. We’re totally free. And there’s no commercial advertising.

Just Push Play.

Tuesday Bluesday Brings ‘Best of Chicago Blues’, Joni Mitchell’s AOW, and Ellen McIlwaine In the Spotlight, March 12, 2024

Good morning and welcome to another Tuesday Bluesday in The Mermaid Lounge! We kick it all off with some Windy City blues today!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Best of Chicago Blues: Various Artists

We kick it all off this morning with sounds of the Windy City. You’ll hear 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!

5:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Court & Spark by Joni Mitchell NEW!

This was, in fact, our Album of The Week in 2020, but it is back for its 50th anniversary, and fifty years later, it still sizzles.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Ellen McIlwaine

It’s funny how some people seem to fall through the cracks and never become the stars they should have been. A powerful singer and great slide guitarist, Ellen McIlwaine should have been widely accepted, in my opinion, yet she had more of a cult following than anything else. See for yourself tonight.

Join us on Tuesday Bluesday, undoubtedly one of our most popular days. We’re on 24/7. We’re totally free. And we do not accept commercial advertising. What’s not to love?

Tuesday Bluesday!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday and the Ladies Are In Charge, Followed by Steely Dan, Then Brand New Rory Block, March 5, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists and welcome to Tuesday Bluesday. Today we add Rory Block to our standard rotation and air her new Spotlight feature! It’s Women’s History Month!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

The women of the blues are large and in charge today. 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!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan

Steely Dan’s back for their second spin with Pretzel Logic as our Album of The Week.

7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Rory Block NEW!

Rory Block is one of those artists whose feet are firmly planted in the blues, particularly in the more traditional blues vein and in country blues. She boasts great acoustic blues chops. Perhaps the ‘fame’ others have experienced have eluded Rory Block, but the seven-time blues award winner has is the universal respect of the blues music community.

Join us on this fine Tuesday Bluesday as we add Rory Block to our great blues rotation. We’re on 24/7 at no charge and without commercial interruption. The button awaits you.

Tuesday Bluesday is Here!

Saturday It’s Back To The Roots With ‘The Founders’ EP, Dylan, and The Supremes In The Spotlight, February 10, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We jump into the Wayback Machine this morning and take a trip back to those who made all of this possible; the artists who inspired the music that inspired us. Got that?

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

This is our newest EP, introduced for the first time on New Year’s Eve 2023. You will hear 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.  Album of The Week: Planet Waves by Bob Dylan FINAL AIRING!

Another of our 50th birthday albums takes its final spin today. Tomorrow we’ll have a new birthday disc.

8:00 p.m.  In The Spotlight: Diana Ross & The Supremes

The Supremes were originally founded as The Primettes back in the early 60’s. They would eventually become one of the artists that would help put Motown on the map. Tonight we put them In the Spotlight.

Just think…while I’m laboring away in retail hell, you could be listening to some great music! Today in the Boston area, we’re on track to break temperature records at 59 degrees…in February. Unheard of. Then, according to the weather wonks, it’s a snowstorm on Monday night. I am now leery of such predictions. Nope. But I digress. Join us.

Saturday In the Lounge!

Friday is Here and We’ve Got Harry Nilsson, Gordon Lightfoot and ‘Live’ Susan Tedeschi on Tap, February 9, 2024

Good morning, music lovers. Along with that we’ve got plenty of big, wide Open Stream to get us through the final work day of the week!

Here’s your musical lineup:

11:00 a.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: Harry Nilsson FINAL AIRING!

The late, great Harry Nilsson takes his final spin as our featured singer-songwriter, but do not worry. He’s a big part of our standard rotation.

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

We haven’t aired this one in a while. We have been remiss, and we are now making amends.

8:00 p.m.  Susan Tedeschi Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX, June 17, 2003 NEW!

We close out the formal programming with a fantastic performance by Boston-born blues artist Susan Tedeschi, recorded for Austin City Limits. We’re proud to call Susan Tedeschi a native Bostonian.

Let’s storm into the weekend in style. Tune us in. We’re on 24/7 with no breaks, no vacations and no bullshit. We don’t charge for the music. We don’t run commercial advertising. We’re anti-capitalists.

It’s Finally Friday!

We’re at Midweek With a Focus on Folk Music, and a Visit From Delbert McClinton, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Good morning, folk-ologists! We’re focused on folk today as we open and close with folk music pioneers and those who continue to support the genre.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

Today we salute the pioneers of folk, those who have kept the genre flourishing, and those who pay it homage. 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, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Led Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, James Taylor, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, Neil Young and more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Delbert McClinton

Delbert stops by at 4:00 p.m. for his second spin as our featured singer-songwriter.

8:00 p.m.  In The Spotlight: The Music of Ian & Sylvia NEW!

Ian & Sylvia was a true folk duo that performed together from 1959 to 1975; after moving to Nashville, they were also instrumental in helping the country-rock genre take hold. They were pretty well respected in their time, but have somehow fallen through the cracks. But today, we put them In The Spotlight where they belong.

Another day is here and we’re delivering the musical goods as usual. We’re totally free of charge and free of advertising. It’s all about the music.

Folk Music Extravaganza!

On Monday We Deliver Lukas Nelson and POTR, Banned Songs, and ‘Live’ Pretenders in Germany, January 8, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got a great lineup that includes Willie’s boy Lukas and his band, some songs that were banned from the airwaves back in the day, and The Pretenders live from Hamburg.

Here’s today’s lineup:

10:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real

Willie’s boy is back with his band. Any band that tours with Neil Young is the real deal. If you haven’t heard them before, this is a good time.

3:00 p.m.  Banned From the Airwaves: Various Artists

Yes, songs like God Only Knows by The Beach Boys were banned from the airwaves because it was the first time God was mentioned in a rock song. So was The Heartbreakers’ You Don’t Know How It Feels, and Lennon’s Imagine. The craziest one of all was My Generation by The Who because it allegedly made fun of people who stutter. They are all here today.

7:00 p.m.  The Pretenders Live at Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, Germany, June 23, 2009

The great Chrissie Hynde and my favorite alternative band are live from Germany to close out the programming tonight.

Come on. It’s Monday. The beginning of another work week. And we all need a bit of a boost on Monday. If you have an office and a computer, just close your door, pretend you’re immersed in the bottom line, and hit the button below.

Just Push Play.

Monday Brings Us Janis Joplin, Our ’27 And Gone’ Playlist and The Byrds Live at Royal Albert Hall, December 18, 2023

Good morning, and welcome back to the work week. But hey, for those traveling to Christmas celebrations, it’ll be a short one. As we head toward another year, we’re busy little elves planning some changes here.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Janis Joplin

We start off the day with Janis In the Spotlight giving us her special brand of blues-rock.

3:00 p.m.  27 And Gone: Various Artists

The members of the ’27 Club’ pay us a visit mid-afternoon. Hey, this is the stuff of conspiracy theories, almost like the ‘Paul is Dead’ stuff. Is it coincidence that all of these people died at the age of 27? Jimi Hendrix. Janis Joplin. Jim Morrison. Pete Ham (Badfinger). Blind Al Wilson (Canned Heat). Amy Winehouse. Brian Jones. Robert Johnson. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (The Dead). They’re all here singing to you from the grave this afternoon.

8:00 p.m.  The Byrds Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, May 13, 1971

We’ve got some ‘live’ Byrds closing out the programming tonight. This one’s from Royal Albert Hall in London.

Drop by when you get a chance. We’re on 24/7 (not just during programmed hours), uninterrupted by commercial advertising. And we don’t ask you for a thing. Your money’s truly no good here.

Monday, Monday. Again.

Friday Brings The Magnolia Sisters, Jesse Winchester and a Christine McVie Spotlight, December 15, 2023

We’ve got some great music for you today, including The Magnolia Sisters whom you probably won’t hear anywhere else unless you’re in New Orleans. But we have all their music here in The Mermaid Lounge. Today’s other two artists you, of course, should know.

Here’s today’s musical mayhem:

11:00 a.m. The Magnolia Sisters Live at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA, July 27, 2021 NEW!

I love New Orleans; it’s a hotbed of musical styles and innovation and you can hear all of it right on the streets every day. What we have here is an all-woman Cajun/Zydeco band from Lafayette, Louisiana, populated by Ann Savoy, Jane Vidrine, Anya Burgess, and Lisa Trahan. They play the full gamut of the musical style from dancehall Cajun to primitive Creole to a cappella. The first time I ever heard them, they knocked me out and I was hooked. Maybe you will be too.

3:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Jesse Winchester FINAL AIRING!

We bid farewell to Jesse Winchester’s singer-songwriter focus today, although I promise that all of his music is in our general rotation every day.

8:00 p.m.  In The Spotlight: The Music of Christine McVie

We close our programming tonight with the heart and soul of Fleetwood Mac (sorry, Stevie), the late, great Christine McVie. We include not only her Fleetwood Mac songs, but her early blues work with Chicken Shack and her solo work.

It’s officially Friday, the end of the work week (for some lucky people who don’t work retail). Tomorrow, you’re officially ‘weekenders’ here in The Mermaid Lounge! We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we do not air commercial advertising. What could be better?

Just Push Play.