Friday We’ve Got ‘Drivin’ Songs’, a Tim Hardin Spotlight, and Brand New Live Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, August 2, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to the cusp of the weekend here in The Mermaid Lounge. We’ve got a pretty cool lineup here for you today, starting with a dose of driving songs.

Here’s your Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Drivin’ Songs: Various Artists

Not merely songs about being in a car or driving somewhere, but songs that give you lead foot. There are many. Radar Love by Golden Earring comes to mind, and that’s just one of the songs you’ll hear in this great multi-artist playlist.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Tim Hardin

Tim Hardin’s heroin addiction kept him from greatness, yet he remains one of the most consequential artists of the folk movement in America. Today we put him In the Spotlight.

This is our first-ever live performance by this enduring band that has graced the musical airwaves for more than half a century now. In this particular show, they bring along special guests Bruce Hornsby and Michael Martin Murphy.

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.

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With Our Big, Bad Blues EP, a Slim Harpo Spotlight Feature, and Live Muddy Waters, June 25, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists and welcome back to Tuesday Bluesday in The Mermaid Lounge. We start off with five hours of uninterrupted blues!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blues: Various Artists

Our biggest, baddest blues EP with Delbert McClinton, Robert Johnson, B. B. King, Little Walter, Slim Harpo, Ry Cooder, Canned Heat, John Lee Hooker, The Animals, Albert King, Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, The Yardbirds, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Bobby “Blue” Bland, the Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elmore James, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Cray Band, J. J. Cale, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, James Cotton, Koko Taylor, Marcia Ball, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Susan Tedeschi, Roomful of Blues, Howlin’ Wolf and more!

We’ve had this on our list for a long time and we’re happy it’s finally here. Slim Harpo was a great bluesman who was pretty popular in his time. He was also a master of the blues harp.

It’s a trip back in time in the Wayback Machine for this live performance at The Fillmore West, vintage 1966.

At Midweek It’s ‘Music From Laurel Canyon’, Buddy Holly, and McCartney Live, Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! At midweek we continue our celebration of Sir Paul’s birthday. We’ve also got music from Laurel Canyon and a Buddy Holly Spotlight feature.

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

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

An amazing breeding ground for some of the best music of the sixties and seventies with 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, Jimi Hendrix, Judy Collins and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Buddy Holly

One of the pioneers and a founding father of of rock n’ roll visits us this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. Paul McCartney Live at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, UK, December 14, 1999

McCartney visited his Beatles roots when he played the famous Cavern Club back in 1999. It was yet another great performance by a guy who never fails to deliver a great performance.

We’re at midweek. It’s all downhill from here as we head to the weekend. Come and get it. The button’s below.

We Deliver ‘The Best of Chicago Blues’ Plus Live Allman Brothers Band and Freddie King, on Tuesday Bluesday, June 11, 2024

Another Tuesday Bluesday is upon us and we’ve got three great pieces of programming today starting with our ‘Best of Chicago Blues’ EP, then it’s live performances from both The Allman Brothers Band and Freddie King.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

It’s time for another visit to the Windy City where 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!

4:00 p.m. The Allman Brothers Band Live at The Macon City Auditorium, Macon, GA, February 11, 1972

The Brothers drop by around mid-afternoon for a little live performance from Macon.

We’re airing our first live Freddie King show this evening and we’ve discovered others. We’ll be featuring them down the road.

Sunday’s Fare Consists of The Who, ‘The British Are Coming’ EP and a Jeff Lynne Spotlight Feature, June 9, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! Today we keep it decidedly British with our first live Who performance, our ‘British Are Coming’ EP and a Spotlight featuring the great Jeff Lynne.

Here’s your musical journey for today:

This is our very first ‘live’ Who performance and it won’t be our last as we broaden our horizons. This was an amazing show, played in the rain, on their Who Rocks America Tour in support of their album It’s Hard. It was also billed as their final tour.

1:00 p.m. The British Are Coming: Various Artists

Music from The British Invasion and beyond with The Who, The Beatles, Dave Mason, Electric Light Orchestra, Petula Clark, The Zombies, The Hollies, Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five, The Bee Gees, The Moody Blues, Rod Steward, George Harrison, Them, Herman’s Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Badfinger, The Yardbirds, Traffic, Elton John, Lulu, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Jeff Lynne

He’s not just the genius behind Electric Light Orchestra (as if that wasn’t enough), he began his career with The Move. He was also the esteemed Otis Wilbury, co-founder of The Traveling Wilburys along with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Roy Orbison. Let’s not forget that he’s a solo artist and a producer for many artists, including Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. That’s what I call a great resume.

‘The Best of Reggae & Ska’, ‘Soulsville, USA’ and ‘Live’ Mudcrutch Are All On Tap For Monday, May 20, 2024

Good morning, workforce! We’re all back at it for another week and we aim to start it off on a great note with a pretty eclectic lineup!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Best of Reggae & Ska: Various Artists

We love this playlist, but it’s a first pass. We are poised for expansion and, perhaps, splitting it into two volumes, but I digress. You will hear Bob Marley & The Wailers, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker (with and without The Aces), Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Judy Mowatt, Laurel Aitken, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, The Jiving Juniors, Derrick Morgan and more!

4:00 p.m. Soulsville, USA: The Music of Stax Records

There’s Motown and then there’s Stax, where the ‘house’ band was the great Booker T & The MG’s. In addition to Booker T, you’ll hear Albert King, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Isaac Hayes, The Dramatics and more. By the way, the Stax documentary produced by HBO begins streaming today!

7:00 p.m. Mudcrutch Live at The Fonda Theater, Hollywood, CA, June 26, 2016

We’ve got a Mudcrutch Monday on tap today as we give you their live performance from the band’s great 2016 tour. Still kicking myself for missing them at Boston’s House of Blues, but at least I have this!

Yes, it’s Monday and Mondays suck in general, but they don’t have to. Just join us here. We’ll make your life better. And we’re free.

It’s Sunday In The Lounge With ‘The Original Sixties’ Rotation, The Byrds, and Van Morrison, May 19, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! This is a sixties trifecta today and that’s always a good thing. While Van the Man’s live performance wasn’t until the 70’s, let’s remember he started out with a British blues band called Them and hasn’t stopped since.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

This would primarily be the early-to-mid phase of the decade, although we all know some later acts have slipped in here (and vice versa when we get to volume two). You will hear The Beatles, The Monkees, Sonny & Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, Little Eva, 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, James Brown, The Temptations, Del Shannon, Fontella Bass, The Box Tops, Blues Image, Booker T. & The MG’s, The Four Tops and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Byrds

Formed in L.A. in 1964, The Byrds remain a musical stalwart today. Their lineup has changed over the years, with Roger McGuinn being the only consistent member, In spite of that, they made their mark with McGuinn’s jangly 12-string Rickenbacker guitar and their signature harmony vocals, influencing many subsequent acts including Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Today they are In The Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. Van Morrison Live at The Capitol Theater, Passaic, NJ, October 6, 1979

Van Morrison joins us this evening in The Lounge for a very pleasant interlude of live music.

I am on the run once again this morning, but The Music Mermaid is always here and on duty. She’ll take care of you until I return. As always, we remain free of charge and free of commercial interruptions. Enjoy your day of rest!

Friday Brings Us Three Legends in Leon Russell (Spotlight), and ‘Live’ Gigs by Bob Dylan and Linda Ronstadt, On May 17, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We are offering up three giants of music today for your listening pleasure as we barrel toward the weekend!

Here’s your Friday lineup:

Leon Russell is a musical legend whose career spanned 60 years. During that time he was a sought-after session musician, part of several bands and boasted a successful solo career. During that time he made some incredible music that spanned genres including rock & roll, country, R&B, blues rock and the Tulsa sound. Today he’s in our Spotlight.

3:00 p.m. Bob Dylan Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, May 17, 1966

We jump into the Wayback Machine for this Dylan concert that, ironically, took place 58 years ago today.

8:00 p.m. Linda Ronstadt Live at Calderone Concert Hall, Hempstead, NY, January 29, 1975

Before she conquered the music world and started selling out arena venues, Linda Ronstadt played in small but popular music theaters like the now-defunct Calderone Concert Hall. This show took place just after the release of her breakout album, Heart Like A Wheel, released on November 19, 1974.

At Midweek, We’re ‘Under The Influence’ With a Spotlight on The Band, and Some Live Little Feat, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We take a favorite EP out of mothballs today and give you a Spotlight feature on The Band and ‘Live’ Little Feat from London.

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Under The Influence: Various Artists

We have all been here. There’s no denying it. Some of our ‘influences’ have been legal; some decidedly not. You’ll hear Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones, Small Faces, Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Talking Heads, Neil Young, The Beatles, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Foreigner, Jonathan Edwards, John Lee Hooker, Donovan and more!

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

They were once Bob Dylan’s backup band. That’s how they got their name. They were referred to as ‘the band’. And then, they morphed into one of the most prolific and influential musical groups of their generation. They are In The Spotlight today.

8:00 p.m. Little Feat Live at The Rainbow Theatre, London, UK, August 4, 1977

Speaking of great bands, we close the programming with a great live performance from Little Feat from The Rainbow in London.

I hear the weather is going to be nasty today here in the Boston area, rainy with possibly our first round of thunderstorms this season. We’ll see. But if I could hunker down here today with this great music, I’d be doing it. The button’s below.