Category: Funk

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.

7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Staple Singers NEW!

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.

It’s always a good time to give us a listen. We’re totally free (no “free trial” bullshit), we don’t ask for a credit card, and we don’t ask for your personal information. We’re all about the music. No lie. Hit the button below and see for yourself.

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Monday Brings Our ‘Summertime’ Playlist, Sly & The Family Stone and Some ‘Live’ Heartbreakers, June 3, 2024

Good morning, musicologists. It’s another work week, but we’ve got you covered with some great programming today, including a new Sly & The Family Stone Spotlight feature!

Sly & the Family Stone

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. Summertime: Various Artists

We are right on the doorstep of summer here, folks, so it’s only fitting that we hear songs about summer with Paul McCartney, Electric Light Orchestra, Jimmy Cliff, Joan Baez, The Wallflowers, Van Morrison, k. d. lang, John Prine, Johnny Rivers, The Stone Poneys, Wendy Waldman, Don Henley, The Cranberries, The Doors, Joni Mitchell and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Sly & The Family Stone NEW!

Established in San Francisco in 1966, Sly & The Family Stone played a great part in the development of funk, soul, R&B, rock and the psychedelic sound. Today we finally have them In The Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live and Loving It!

We’re breaking this one out of moth balls. It’s our take on the best live performances over the years by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Admittedly, it’s due for updating and we will get to that, but it’s still pretty frackin’ good as it is.

The Mermaid Lounge is a great place to spend your Monday. We’re here 24/7 and we’re totally free of charge…and free of commercial advertising as well.

Monday, Monday!

We Head For the Weekend With ‘M is For Motown,’ a Sam Cooke Spotlight & ‘Live’ Robert Cray, Thursday, April 11, 2024

Good morning soul and R&B lovers! We’ve got a full slate for you today, starting with our multi-artist tribute to Motown. Then, it’s the ‘King of Soul’ in The Spotlight and some live Robert Cray Band. Did you know that he’s Barack Obama’s favorite singer?

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

We get the day’s programming started with Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Eddie Holland, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Kim Weston, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Contours, Rare Earth, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Sam Cooke

The amazing singer-songwriter who was known as the ‘King of Soul’ became the most influential performer in soul and R&B in spite of his short, tragic life. This afternoon he’s rightfully In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. The Robert Cray Band Live at The Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA, December 2, 1995

Why feature Robert Cray only on Tuesday Bluesday? We’ve got him today to close out our programming with a great live performance.

We’re not just here the hours we have programming. We’re on 24/7 circulating more than 27,000 songs without commercial advertising and at no cost to you. See for yourself.

M is For Motown!

Sunday Brings The Rolling Stones’ AOW, Our EP About The Night, and The Mamas & The Papas, February 18, 2024

Good morning on this not-quite-as-simple Sunday as we offer three bits of programming for the first time on a Sunday! The shape of things to come? Well, we have a lot of music.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Album of The Week: It’s Only Rock n’ Roll by The Rolling Stones NEW!

Another on our list of albums turning 50 years old this year, it’s the 12th studio album by the Rolling Stones and their final with Mick Taylor as guitarist. He would soon be replaced by Ron Wood. The album combines traditional blues and rock and roll sound with elements of funk and reggae. It went to number one in the U.S. and number two in the UK.

2:00 p.m. Here Comes The Night: Various Artists

We’re back with songs about the night in the title, lyrics or both with Warren Zevon, The J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Them, The Beatles, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Ronettes, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Doors, Poco, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Don McLean, Steve Winwood, The Traveling Wilburys, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Raitt and more!

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Mamas & The Papas

We’ve been remiss and have allowed too much time to lapse before spinning this one. In spite of the fact that this band only recorded together from 1965 through 1968, they were a defining force in the music of the sixties and a mainstay of the Laurel Canyon scene. They made some of the best music of their generation.

It’s Sunday. It’s a day of rest. Kick off your shoes and stay a while. We’ve got great programs and a whole lot of big, wide Open Stream all at no charge to you. We don’t ask for personal info and we don’t track you…because we’re not trying to sell you anything.

Sunday Funday!

Saturday Brings Maria Muldaur’s AOW, Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP and Jesse Winchester as Our Singer-Songwriter, December 9, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! We have arrived at the weekend. Today we bid farewell to Maria Muldaur’s AOW, give you five hours of Motown and Jesse Winchester as our featured singer-songwriter.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Richland Woman Blues by Maria Muldaur FINAL AIRING!

Today we bid farewell to this great blues album by Maria Muldaur and her friends (Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastian, Tracy Nelson and so many more).

11:00 a.m. M Is For Motown: Various Artists

We’ve got all the artists that put Motown on the map, including Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Eddie Holland, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Kim Weston, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Contours, Rare Earth, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more!

8:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Jesse Winchester NEW!

The first time I saw Jesse Winchester he opened for Emmylou Harris at the Music Hall in Boston. The next time I saw him, he was the headliner at the same venue. I loved him both times. Jesse Winchester was a quiet star in the music business, an exceptional songwriter respected by his peers who found their own voice through Winchester’s songs, like Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia and so many more.

It’s the weekend, peeps! I’ve got one more day, then I’ve got Sunday and Monday for my weekend. The Music Mermaid will keep the ship on course while I’m away.

M Is For Motown!

It’s Midweek With Our Big, Bad Soul EP, Some Dr. John and Jakob Dylan In The Spotlight, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We’re on a soul music path to start out our day, then it’s Dr. John as our featured singer-songwriter, and Jakob Dylan In the Spotlight later.

Here’s your musical lineup at midweek:

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

It’s not just Motown. It’s also the artists of Stax, Atlantic, Muscle Shoals and beyond. 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, Eddie Floyd, Percy Sledge, The Ad Libs, Joe Tex, Wanda Jackson, Ann Peebles, Al Green and more!

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

The good Doctor returns this afternoon for his second spin as our featured singer-songwriter for the week.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: Jakob Dylan In the Spotlight

We’ve not aired this one in a while, but Bob’s boy is a bit of a chip off the old block. We like him here in The Lounge. Tonight we give you his music with and without The Wallflowers.

What could be better than starting off your day with the music that made America dance? It’s Hitsville, U.S.A. and beyond. We’re on 24/7 with no commercial interruption, and at no cost to you. Just do it.

A Little Bit O’ Soul

It’s The ‘Music From Laurel Canyon’ EP, The Final Airing of Our AOW, and Dr. John is Our New Singer-Songwriter, November 11, 2023

Good morning, weekenders, and welcome! We’ve got a great Saturday lineup for you today here in The Mermaid Lounge, starting with the sounds of Laurel Canyon!

Here’s today’s music:

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

The sounds of the British Invasion rocked the U.S., and across the pond, the sounds of Laurel Canyon were making themselves known. It’s called cross-pollination. You’ll hear 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, Judy Collins, The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: The Bee Gees 1st by The Bee Gees FINAL AIRING!

It’s the final airing our album selection by The Bee Gees. Tomorrow we’ll have something new for you right here!

8:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Dr. John NEW!

Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., also known as Dr. John or The Nitetripper, was a musical treasure whose style combined New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B. He was active in the business, both as a respected session man and as a solo artist, from the 1950’s right up until his death in 2019. He was originally inspired after seeing another New Orleans fixture, Professor Longhair, live in concert. Tonight, we introduce the late, great Dr. John as our featured singer-songwriter.

Come on. It’s the weekend. Time to kick back and relax with some good music. It’s a tough thing to find on the airwaves these days unless you’re willing to pay monthly. Here, you don’t have to pay a cent. Hell, you don’t even have to log in. Just click the button below.

Music From Laurel Canyon!

Friday Has Arrived and We’ve Open Up With Some Seedy People, Then Roy Orbison and New ‘Live’ Little Feat, November 3, 2023

Good morning, budding weekenders! We are almost there, kids, and today we’ve open up with our multi-artist ‘Villains, Scumbags and Lowlives’ Playlist, then it’s on to Roy Orbison and Little Feat.

Here’s your work week-ending lineup:

11:00 a.m. Villains, Scumbags and Lowlives: Various Artists

There are a lot of seedy people on the planet. Some of them are in full view in Washington right now. And they are a popular subject in music as well. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Shawn Colvin, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers,The Rolling Stones, Electric Light Orchestra, The Who, Warren Zevon, Supertramp, Linda Ronstadt, Foreigner, John Lee Hooker, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Neil Young and more!

4:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Roy Orbison FINAL AIRING!

We bid a fond farewell to Roy Orbison today, this week’s featured singer-songwriter. Tomorrow, we’ll have a brand new artist featured here.

8:00 p.m. Little Feat Live at The Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO, April 19, 1977 NEW!

We’ve got a new-to-the-station live performance by Little Feat during the Lowell George period (the best period, I might add) live from the Uptown Theatre.

We’ve made it to Friday. Some of us have one more day of pain, but an awful lot get to be weekenders at the end of the day. And we’re on track for a great weekend of music.

New ‘Live’ Little Feat!

Our ‘Water, Water Everywhere’ EP, Roy Orbison, and The Soul Sisters Are All On Tap for Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Good morning, music lovers! We open a brand new month with songs about water in all forms…rivers lakes, streams, oceans…you name it. Roy Orbison returns as our singer-songwriter, and The Soul Sisters pay a visit later.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. Water, Water Everywhere: Various Artists

Why are there so many songs about water? Well, for one thing, the earth is made up of 71% water. You’ll hear Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Steely Dan, Tom Rush, Donovan, America, Johnny Rivers, Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Otis Redding, The Doobie Brothers, Valerie Carter, Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Al Green, Loggins & Messina, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Linda Ronstadt, Spirit, The Grass Roots, The Beach Boys, Lindisfarne, Van Morrison and more!

4:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison returns to The Mermaid Lounge for his second turn as our featured singer-songwriter for the week.

8:00 p.m. The Soul Sisters, Volume One: Various Artsts

The ladies of soul pay a visit tonight. You’ll hear Aretha Franklin, Kim Weston, Irma Thomas, Etta James, The Ronettes, Martha & The Vandellas, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Staple Singers, Ann Peebles, The Shirelles, Carla Thomas and more!

Come on, gang! This is the day to tune us in. You’re at midweek and you need a boost to get you through to Friday. We’ve got just what you need on a 24/7 basis at no charge and with no commercial interruption. What’s not to love?

We’re at Midweek!

It’s Simply Sunday With Ronstadt’s “Duets” AOW, and the ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ Multi-Artist EP on October 15, 2023

Good morning, weekenders. You’ve got one day left to kick back and relax and that’s today. We keep it simple here with plenty of wide Open Stream on Sundays, and this one is no exception.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Duets by Linda Ronstadt NEW!

Last week we selected Emmylou Harris’ Duets album; this week it’s Linda Ronstadt’s turn as she sings with Bette Midler, J.D. Souther, Don Henley, Carl Jackson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Laurie Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Ann Savoy and Aaron Neville.

3:00 p.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

This is the Big Kahuna. It’s not just Motown, it covers the full gamut of soul, R & B and (some) Gospel. 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, Eddie Floyd, Percy Sledge, The Ad Libs, Joe Tex, Wanda Jackson, Ann Peebles, Al Green and more!

Far be it from me to tell you how to live, but I firmly believe that Sunday is a day of rest. That’s why I refuse to work a Sunday (unless my store is in dire straits). It’s a day to spend with family and friends enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Like good music. And we’ve got that covered at no charge to you.

It’s Simply Sunday.