We Start Off Thursday ‘Under The Influence’, Then It’s Lucinda Williams and The Heartbreakers, July 11, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re going to open up with some really great tunes about being ‘Under The Influence’, then it’s a Lucinda Williams Spotlight feature and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as cover band.

Here’s your musical mayhem for Thursday:

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

Plenty of songs about being under the influence, both legal and not so legal. You’ll hear Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Byrds, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, 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: Lucinda Williams

We have singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Lucinda Williams, In the Spotlight today.

8:00 p.m. Petty Theft: The Covers

The same qualities that make Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers the best American rock and roll band make them the best cover band. Tonight you hear them cover their favorite songs by the bands who influenced their music.

Remember, it’s a 24/7 deal, totally free and completely devoid of commercial advertising. We’re anti-capitalists. We’re in it for the music.

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.

Happy Birthday to Macca, John Prine Live in New York, and the ‘Color My World’ EP are On Tap for Monday, June 17, 2024

Good morning, McCartney lovers! We will be celebrating Sir Paul’s birthday all this week starting today, then it’s John Prine live at The Other End and our ‘Color My World’ EP gets an evening airing later.

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Paul McCartney

It’s Happy 82nd birthday to Paul McCartney (tomorrow) and we are celebrating throughout the week in a variety of ways, beginning with our Spotlight featuring songs from his days with The Beatles, with Wings and as a solo artist.

The late and great John Prine is certainly most remembered for his magnificent Angel For Montgomery, a composition that became Bonnie Raitt’s signature song. However, John Prine had a way with the twist of a phrase that few others did, often writing about the human condition with a bit of dry sarcasm. Tonight we have him live from what was once and then again, The Bitter End in New York. During this particular time, it was renamed The Other End.

7:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We close this day out with our five-hour collection of songs about colors in the title, lyrics or both. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Donovan, Booker T. and The MGs, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Joni Mitchell The Who, Amy Winehouse, Sam & Dave, Badfinger, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, 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!

Thursday Brings ‘Travelin’ Fever,’ Live Lucinda Williams, and a Staple Singers Spotlight Feature, June 5, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We’re on the downslide to the weekend and we’ve got some great stuff today, including a brand new Staple Singers Spotlight feature.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Travelin’ Fever: Various Artists

Life on the road is always a great musical subject, and that’s what we open with this morning. You’ll hear music from Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Box Tops, Arlo Guthrie, The Allman Brothers Band, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, The Doors, Tom Rush, The Byrds, Little Feat, The Band, Willie Nelson, Edwin Starr, The Traveling Wilburys, Del Shannon, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, The Doobie Brothers, The Guess Who, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Carole King, Cream and more!

4:00 p.m. Lucinda Williams Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX, December 5, 1998

The great singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams recorded live for Austin City Limits.

The Staple Singers are an American classic, a gospel, soul and R&B group started by Roebuck “Pops” Staples and his children that signed their first professional contract in 1952. They are best known for a string of hits in the seventies that included Respect Yourself, I’ll Take You There, If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) and Let’s Do It Again. The Staple Singers have also been a steady voice in the civil rights movement. The Staple Singers have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999) and The Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2018). They were also honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail in Drew, Mississippi and were given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

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 Sunday and The Ladies Own the Morning, Followed by The I-Threes and Some ‘Live’ ELO, April 28, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to another Sunday in The Mermaid Lounge where the music is free and the living is easy. The ladies rule the morning and early afternoon.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

The ladies are back to rule The Lounge this morning with 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 Crow, Susan Tedeschi, Dusty Springfield, Valerie Carter, Dolly Parton and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The I-Threes

Without a doubt the most influential all-woman Reggae band is In The Spotlight this afternoon. The I-Threes are Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt.

8:00 p.m. The Electric Light Orchestra Live at The Paris Theatre, London, UK, April 19, 1973

Jeff Lynne’s ELO (not what they were called back in the day; but it is now) is here to close out the programming for today with a great live show at The Paris Theatre. They are on the road now for their farewell tour, and blow through Boston in September.

Join us on this fine, sunny Sunday (at least it is here for the moment) as we play the best music on the planet 24/7, free of charge and free from commercial advertising.

We’re at Midweek With ‘Color My World’, a Dusty Springfield Spotlight & a McCartney Tokyo Show, Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re already at midweek and we’ve got a great lineup, including a Dusty Springfield Spotlight feature and a show from McCartney’s 1993 World Tour.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

First, however, we start out with colors in the title, lyrics or both with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, 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. In The Spotlight: The Music of Dusty Springfield

The mezzo-soprano master of blue-eyed soul was more than all that. She was another great singer who refused to be defined by any one style.

We close out the programming later with a trip to Tokyo with Paul McCartney on his 1993 World Tour.

Friday Brings Vintage Joni Mitchell, a Musical Trip to New Orleans, and a Surprise Byrds Reunion, April 12, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We have made it to the end of the week once again and we’ve got a great lineup for y’all today starting with the one and only Joni.

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. Joni Mitchell Live at Club 47, Cambridge, MA, January 10, 1968

Time to jump into the Wayback Machine again for this one at the famous Club 47 in my hometown. It would morph into Passim’s Coffee House, where I would spend a good deal of time hearing great music in Harvard Square. Many have passed through here on their way to their heralded musical careers, like Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Guy Clark. Then, there’s Joni Mitchell. And we’ve got that one today.

12:30 p.m. Down In New Orleans: Various Artists

Haven’t broken this one out in a while and it’s about damned time. We have authentic NOLA music mixed in with rock n’ roll artists who were born and raised there. You’ll hear BeauSoleil, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John. Buckwheat Zydeco, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, Allen Fontenot, The Neville Brothers, Lucinda Williams, Boozoo Chavis, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong, Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band, The Daywalkers, Jerry Lee Lewis and more!

8:00 p.m. The Byrds Live at The Boarding House, San Francisco, CA, February 9, 1978

Here’s the story on this great performance. Three of the Byrds’ founding members, Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark and Chris Hillman were touring the west coast, each playing a short solo set and then convening on stage for some vintage Byrds tunes. On this particular night, David Crosby joined them on stage for several tunes (I think it was 9 songs), making it the closest thing to a Byrds reunion as you can get. The only missing piece was drummer Michael Clarke. It’s here tonight.

We’ve got some great stuff on tap for today. Don’t know about the weather where you are but we’re at monsoon level today I hear. Lots of wind and rain. Great day to hunker down with some great tunes.

We Head Toward The Weekend With Our House EP, Lucinda Williams & Linda Ronstadt, Thursday, March 28, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Remember that great Heartbreakers song, It’s Raining Again? Well, it is here in Boston. But we’ve got our great House EP and a couple of amazing ladies to get us through today.

Here’s Thursday’s lineup:

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

All the music that inspired the station. You’ll hear Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, 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, Plastic Ono Band, 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, Linda Ronstadt and more!

4:00 p.m. Lucinda Williams Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, November 20-22, 2003

We’ve got a live one from the woman whom Tom Petty called one of the greatest songwriters ever, and he should know because he’s one as well. This one is live from the fabled Fillmore.

7:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Heart Like A Wheel by Linda Ronstadt

We’re winding down on this magical album and on the AOW feature itself. The final performance will be sometime on Saturday.

We’re here rain or shine, folks, playing the greatest music on planet earth at no charge and with no commercial advertising to break up the flow. We’re streaming and dreaming.

It’s Friday With ‘Live’ Steely Dan, ‘Everybody But Bob’ and Our ‘Train Tracks’ Multi-Artist Playlist, March 22, 2024

Good morning and welcome to the end of the work week! We’ve got some early ‘live’ Steely Dan and two outstanding multi-artist playlists for you today.

Here’s your Friday playlists:

This live in-studio concert was part of a promotion run by ABC Dunhill Records around the release of Countdown To Ecstasy and the hits that were spawned by that album. It was broadcast live over now-defunct (sadly) rock station KMET.

3:00 p.m. Everybody But Bob: Bob Dylan Cover Songs

It should come as no surprise that the man who won a Nobel Prize for Literature for his songwriting would boast an impressive lists of artists who have covered his songs. You’ll hear Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, George Harrison, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, Chrissie Hynde, Tracy Nelson, The Band, Johnny Winter, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Fairport Convention, The Byrds, Hot Tuna and more.

8:00 p.m. Train Tracks: Various Artists

We close out the programming with a playlist of songs about trains, runaway and otherwise, with Steve Winwood, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, New Riders of The Purple Sage, the Doobie Brothers, J.J. Cale, Chicken Shack, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Rosanne Cash, Allen Toussaint, The Eagles, Paul Simon, The Guess Who, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark, Joni Mitchell and more!