Tag: Rocksteady

We Hit Our Midweek Stride with ‘House’ EP, the Music of John Sebastian and a Toots & The Maytals Spotlight on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We are at the midweek point and we’ve got our ‘House’ EP all cued up and ready to go, followed by John Sebastian and Toots & The Maytals.

Here’s your musical landscape for today:

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

Ah, yes. One of the first playlists we ever put together here. It started with two hours and became an EP very quickly. You’ll hear Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, Genesis, 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, The Plastic Ono Band, George Harrison, 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 and more!

4:00 p.m. The Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of John Sebastian

A fixture in Laurel Canyon and a pioneer in folk-rock, John Sebastian takes his second turn as this week’s featured singer-songwriter.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Toots & The Maytals

We get into some great ska and rocksteady tonight with Toots & The Maytals. Formed in the early 1960’s, the Maytals were a major influence in the popularization of Reggae music.

Jump in! The music’s fine! We play the best 60’s and 70’s music (not just the hits) on a 24/7 basis at no charge to you. And we do not accept commercial advertising. See for yourself. All you need to do is hit the button below.

Midweek in the Mermaid Lounge!

It’s a Simple Sunday in The Lounge With Lucinda Williams’ AOW, The ‘Best of Reggae & Ska’ and Then Our Big Wide Open Stream on April 30, 2023

Good morning, reggaeologists! As you know, we keep it simple on Sundays here with our new Album of The Week as the anchor. We also have some great reggae, rocksteady and ska, before turning it over to The Music Mermaid for our big, wide Open Stream.

Here is your simple Sunday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Car Wheels On A Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams NEW!

Lucinda is definitely a Lounge favorite, and this is one of our favorite albums as well. Tom Petty recognized her greatness long ago. She was opening for one of his early tours and he went out onto the stage and told the crowd that they must pay attention to her. He recognized her songwriting and storytelling greatness. She became a fixture on his tours right up until the end. Give a listen.

3:00 p.m. The Best of Reggae and Ska: Various Artists

We haven’t heard this one for a while and this seemed like a great day to hear Prince Buster, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Judy Mowatt, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Basil Gabbidon, Peter Tosh, The Rhythm Aces, Derrick Morgan, Laurel Aitken, Count Lasher, the Jiving Juniors, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Desmond Dekker, The I-Threes and more!

From just after 5:00 p.m. EST and on through the night it’s our big, wide Open Stream with The Music Mermaid in full control. As you know, she has impeccable taste in music. Who knows what’s in store!

Keep It Simple Sunday!

It’s Sunday and We Have Our ‘Original Sixties Rotation’ EP, a Great Collaboration for Our AOW, and Peter Tosh In the Spotlight, August 21, 2022

Good Morning, Musicologists! We’ve got an eclectic programming day planned for you today, starting with our great Album of The Week, then moving into our very first Sixties Rotation. We close out later with our Reggae selection.

Here’s today’s lineup:

10:00 a.m. Album of The Week: The Union by Elton John and Leon Russell NEW!

Any album with these two guys in collaboration can only be called a tour de force. Released in 2010, the album was produced by the great T. Bone Burnett (who also contributes on electric guitar). Others who helped out include Booker T. Jones (Hammond B-3), Neil Young (vocals), Robert Randolph (pedal steel guitar), and Brian Wilson (vocal harmonies). It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and was listed at No. 3 on Rolling Stone’s 30 Best Albums of 2010.

1:00 p.m. The Original Sixties Rotation: Various Artists

We’ve got just over five hours of uninterrupted sixties music coming your way in the early afternoon. This particular rotation focuses on the early-to-mid years of the decade, although I can’t guarantee we don’t slip some stuff in from later in the decade. I may have been stoned when I made it. You will hear Del Shannon, Little Eva, The Drifters, The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Hollies, The Walker Brothers, Mary Wells, Dusty Springfield, The Searchers, The Monkees, Sonny & Cher, Petula Clark, Glen Campbell, Johnny Rivers, The Dave Clark Five, The Supremes, Harry Nilsson, The Band, The Yardbirds, The Kinks, Simon & Garfunkel, Blind Faith, Janis Joplin, Tony Joe White, Barry McGuire, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Fats Domino and more.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Peter Tosh NEW!

Peter Tosh has a long, storied musical history. Abandoned by his parents and shuffled among his relatives, he eventually became a self-taught singer, songwriter and musician who was a critical part of The Wailers. He eventually met Robert Nesta Marley (THE Bob Marley) and Neville O’Reilly Livingston (Bunny Wailer). They started singing together in 1962 and the rest is history. He wrote several of the Wailers hit songs including Get Up, Stand Up, 400 Years, and No Sympathy. After the Wailers, Peter Tosh went on to a successful solo career starting with his album, Legalize It. Today, we put Reggae legend Peter Tosh In the Spotlight.

Here we are again. Another Sunday in The Mermaid Lounge, and a perfect day to acquaint yourselves with our special brand of radio. Yep. It’s true. You can’t create “custom” playlists here. That’s not what we’re about. We’re about real radio. I remember the days of summer laying around in my yard with my friends tuned into our transistor radios listening to WMEX. We waited in anticipation for every song.

Sunday Funday!

It’s Finally Friday and We’ve Got Our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP and a Visit From the I-Threes Coming Up, August 19, 2022

Good Morning, Reggaeologists! Yes. It’s still Reggae Week, right through to Sunday. Or Maybe Monday. We’ll see. But today, we’ve got the I-Threes coming’ at ya, and I’m pretty sure there’ll be plenty of folks out there who don’t really know who they are. We’re going to help you with that.

The I-Threes are Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths.

Here’s today’s lineup:

11:00 a.m. Folk Music From A-To-Z: Various Artists

Folk music was the original musical genre of the protest generation with Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Odetta, Phil Ochs, Lead Belly as the forefathers. Today, they’ll be joined by others, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul & Mary, John Prine, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, The Carter Family, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Jackson Browne, Jesse Winchester, Joni Mitchell, The Stone Poneys, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and more!

7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The I-Threes NEW!

So, who are the I-Threes? The I-Threes are Rita Marley (yes, wife of Bob), Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths and it is the most influential female group in Reggae music. From 1974 right up until Bob Marley’s untimely death ten years later, they provided his rich vocal backgrounds. They also made music of their own. And today we are very excited about putting them In the Spotlight as we continue to focus on the women of music here in The Mermaid Lounge.

Come on, people. This is your chance to tune us in. We’re hear 24/7 around the clock every day trying to bring you the best of music. And that means we don’t play the same songs over and over and over. We play just enough of our house bands, but not too much. We are also advertising-free and do not require your personal information, a subscription or your credit card. Your money is absolutely no good here.

The I-Threes are here!

It’s Reggae Week With Toots & The Maytals Starting Off, Then Neil Young’s AOW, and Our ‘All About Blue’ Playlist Later, Thursday, August 18, 2022

Good Morning! We’re back to reggae every day through Sunday as we build our Reggae, Ska and Rocksteady collection and move toward a new multi-artist playlist this weekend!

Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals

Here’s today’s lineup:

11:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Toots & The Maytals

Toots & The Maytals, led by Toots Hibbert, was one of the best known ska and rocksteady musical groups, and were instrumental in popularizing Reggae music worldwide. Today we put them In the Spotlight.

3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Songs for Judy by Neil Young

Young’s great compilation of live acoustic set songs from his 1976 tour with Crazy Horse is an artistic tour de force. This is our second-to-last airing of this great album, so don’t let it pass you by. Our final airing will be on Saturday.

7:00 p.m. All About Blue, Volume One: Various Artists

A great little playlist here about the color blue in the title, lyrics or both with The Allman Brothers Band, Linda Ronstadt, Mudcrutch, Foreigner, Taj Mahal, Joni Mitchell, Jonathan Edwards, George Harrison, Electric Light Orchestra, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Badfinger, The Band, Elvis Presley and more!

Come on, people, get on board with us! We’re a great little radio station that puts music before money. In fact, we haven’t a cent to spend on advertising because we don’t accept any commercial advertising. Don’t pass us by. We’re free without strings (or surprises) on a 24-hour basis, rain or shine!

Cursor Here, Please!

It’s Monday, Monday as We Open Up Reggae Week Here in The Mermaid Lounge! Read On for Details, August 15, 2022

Good Morning, Reggae-ologists! It’s Reggae Week (we are also Ska and Rocksteady inclusive here in The Mermaid Lounge) and that means a little bit of Reggae sunshine in your day nearly every day (the exception will be Tuesday Bluesday), as we bolster our rotation.

L to R: Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Toots & The Maytals.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Jimmy Cliff NEW!

Often called the Grandfather of Reggae, Jimmy Cliff is a Reggae, Ska, and Rocksteady multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter who began his musical journey when he was still in primary school. He also starred in the movie The Harder They Come, which helped to propel Reggae to popularity around the world. He is the only living Reggae musician to receive the Order of Merit, the highest honor you can receive from the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts & sciences. He was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. We kick off Reggae Week by putting him In the Spotlight.

3:00 p.m. The Allman Brothers Band Live at A & R Studios, New York, NY, August 26, 1971

This afternoon, we take some time with The Brothers live and on stage in NYC. They are always a treat. I’ve seen them ‘live’ several times myself in my lifetime, and have never been disappointed.

7:00 p.m. For Foodies Only: Various Artists

Here’s a fun multi-artist playlist with the mention of food of all kinds in the title, lyrics or both. You will hear The Rolling Stones, Little Feat, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Judy Collins, Steely Dan, Harry Nilsson, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Strangeloves, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Supertramp, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffett, The Kinks, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Fats Domino, The Four Tops, Booker T. & The MGs and more!

Start your day the Reggae way! We hope to broaden your musical horizons this week. We are totally free with absolutely no strings and no surprises. There are no financial commitments. There is no personal information requested. And nothing to fill out. And we run 24/7, not just when we have programming. That’s because we have a big, wide Open Stream of more than 27,000 songs to share with you.

Reggae Week is Here!

Monday Rolls Around Again With The Beatles, Toots & The Maytals, and Some ‘Live’ Joni Mitchell Later On, May 23, 2022

Good Morning, Musicologists! We’ve got a pretty eclectic bit of programming for you today as we launch headlong into another work week. We’re guaranteeing that we get you through to the weekend in style!

We’ve got Reggae legends Toots & The Maytals In the Spotlight this afternoon.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

11:00 a.m. The Beatles: B is for B-Sides NEW!

Today we open it up with one of our ‘house bands’ and a brand new playlist. This time, it’s the Beatles’ B-sides. We even throw in our four favorite B-sides from the Fab Four as solo artists at the very end of the playlist, so don’t forget to tune this one in!

3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Toots & The Maytals

Toots & The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were known under that name from 1972 to 2020. They are one of the best-known ska and rocksteady vocal groups, and were instrumental, along with Bob Marley & The Wailers, in building the worldwide popularity of Reggae music.

7:00 p.m. Joni Mitchell Live at The Teatro Tenda di Lampugnano, Milan, Italy, May 9, 1983

Joni Mitchell appeared at the Teatro Tenda as part of her 1983 Refuge World Tour. Mitchell played guitar, dulcimer, and piano on the tour and was supported by some of the finest musicians on the planet, including Russell Ferrante on keyboards, Michael Landau on guitars, Larry Klein on bass, and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.

Come on, folks. It’s Monday. If you’re lucky enough to be able to close your office door and give yourself a little background music while you’re working, this is the place to be. If you work at home, even better.

Cursor Here, Puhleeze!