Category: ska

On Monday It’s ‘The Best of Reggae & Ska,’ New Live Joni Mitchell, and a Gov’t Mule ‘Spotlight’ Feature, October 6, 2025

Welcome back to the work week, music lovers! We open it up today with some great island music, then it’s brand new live Joni Mitchell vintage 1966, and then Gov’t Mule.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

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

This one’s coming up on a major update which could move it into EP status. We’ll have to see but, in the meantime, you’ll hear Bob Marley & The Wailers, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker (with and without The Aces), Laurel Aitken, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Derrick Morgan, Jimmy Cliff, The Rhythm Aces, Peter Tosh, Marcia Griffiths, The Jiving Juniors, and more!

4:00 p.m. Joni Mitchell Live at The Second Fret, Philadelphia, PA, November 17, 1966 NEW!

Time for a trip in the Wayback Machine for this one, all the way to 1966 before Joni burst onto the “scene.” It may not be new, but it’s new to our station.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Gov’t Mule

We close it out with Gov’t Mule, a Southern bluesy jam band started by former Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes back in 1994.

It’s the beginning another work week, but not all is lost when you’ve got the best music on the planet to get you through. Just hit the button below and see for yourselves!

Best of Reggae & Ska!

We’ve Got ‘Travelin’ Fever,’ New Live Bob Marley & The Wailers, and Nanci Griffith ‘In the Spotlight’ on Saturday, August 9, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to my last day of work today. Once again, The Music Mermaid will be in full control of our programming and she’s on it.

Here’s your Saturday musical lineup:

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

We’re starting the programming with songs about hitting the road from Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Steve Miller Band, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Eagles, Paul McCartney & Wings, Little Feat, The Band, Willie Nelson, Edwin Starr, Janis Joplin, Guy Clark, The Byrds, Asleep at The Wheel, Mudcrutch, The Traveling Wilburys, Tom Rush, Buffalo Springfield, The Guess Who, and more!

4:00 p.m. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at The Rainbow Theatre, London, UK, June 2, 1977 NEW!

We’ve acquired some new live Wailers music. This will be the first of a few new shows we’ll be airing as we move into the fall/winter months. Enjoy.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Nanci Griffith

Nanci Griffith is a great singer-songwriter who just passed from this earth in 2021. Throughout her long and productive career she managed to keep one foot in country music, and the other in folk.

We’re back for another day, and we’ve got another great array of programs. Before, in between, and after, we give you our big, wide Open Stream of 27,000 songs. We’re about to add some more this weekend! See for yourselves. The button is below.

The Button.

On Friday, We Open With Reggae, Then It’s Hot Tuna Live at The Fillmore, and The Kinks ‘In The Spotlight’, July 18, 2025

Good morning, musicologists! We are opening the morning today with our ‘Best of Reggae & Ska’ playlist, then we move on to some blues-rock from Hot Tuna, and the battling Davies brothers and The Kinks.

Here’s your Friday lineup:

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

We’re heading for an EP with this one, but we’re not there yet. You’ll hear Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Prince Buster, Jimmy Cliff, Laurel Aitken, Desmond Dekker & The Aces (and some without the Aces), Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, The Rhythm Aces, Derrick Morgan, and more!

4:00 p.m. Hot Tuna Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, March 4, 1988

Rising up out of the ashes of Jefferson Airplane came the great blues-rock band Hot Tuna, led by Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady. Today we have them live from The Fillmore.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Kinks

One of the best bands of The British Invasion that has stood the test of time, despite the battling Davies brothers. This is a great playlist, and a great way to close the programming.

This is a pretty eclectic chunk of programming today, but that is what we are all about. If you’re listening during the day, you know our stream is all in the eclectic zone. See for yourselves. The button is below!

Best of Reggae & Ska!

On Friday, It’s Live Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the ‘Color My World’ EP, and a Desmond Dekker ‘Spotlight’, June 27, 2025

Here we are on the cusp of the weekend once again, and we’ve got a great lineup for you today that starts with some live music from Neil Young. Check out the blog for details.

Here’s your Friday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Neil Young & Crazy Horse Live at Shorline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA, October 1, 1994

We open it up with some live Neil Young with his absolute favorite back-up band, Crazy Horse (ours too). This is an excellent show at the iconic Shorline.

1:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We move into songs that talk about colors up and down the spectrum. Spend the afternoon with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Donovan, Booker T & The MGs, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, John Hiatt, J.D. Souther, The Who, Sam & Dave, Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Badfinger, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Desmond Dekker & The Aces

In truth, there are probably several Dekker songs without the Aces, but the song that hooked me was Israelites. There have been many great Reggae artists, although none as popular as the late, great Bob Marley. Dekker is another of those greats, and he is often referred to as The King of Ska.

We head to the weekend in fine style. We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we’re also commercial free. We’re about more than our programming. Before, in between, and after you’re treated to our big, wide Open Stream! The button is below.

The Button.

We Bring Back ‘What’s In a Name,’ Then It’s Dylan & The Heartbreakers Live, and a Jimmy Cliff ‘Spotlight,’ Thursday, May 29, 2025

We’re headed for the weekend with a great lineup, including the return of our ‘What’s In a Name’ EP after a hiatus. What follows is even better!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. What’s In a Name: Various Artists

We’re back with songs about people, some real, some imagined. You’ll hear Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Them, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Donovan, Steve Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, Carly Simon, Warren Zevon, Linda Ronstadt, Laura Nyro, Bobbie Gentry, The Kinks, Three Dog Night, The Association, Joni Mitchell, Badfinger, Steely Dan, Chi Coltrane, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Tony Joe White, and more!

4:00 p.m. Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY, July 4, 1986

Two unbelievably great acts together on one stage on Dylan’s True Confessions tour. It was a thing of beauty.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff is the stuff of legends. He’s a reggae, ska, rocksteady and soul singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, and the only living reggae musician to ever hold The Order of Merit. Bob Dylan called his song Vietnam the best protest song he’d ever heard. If you don’t know Jimmy Cliff, you can learn more about him here. And you can tune him in tonight!

We’re here. We’re free. We don’t run advertising. And we’re on 24/7. What could be better. And no, you can’t build personal playlists, but I say that’s not radio. This is radio, except we don’t play the same hundred songs over, and over, and over. See for yourselves.

True Confessions Tour.

Today We’ve Got Our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP, a New Marcia Griffiths ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and Laura Nyro Live at Carnegie Hall, On Friday, May 23, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to Friday. We’re on the cusp of the weekend, and we’ve got some great music here today, including a new ‘Spotlight’ from a reggae legend!

Here’s your week’s end musical lineup:

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

This is one of our favorite EP’s with music from the folk legends as well as the artists who keep the genre alive, including John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Marcia Griffiths NEW!

Today we introduce a brand new ‘Spotlight’ featuring a six-decade legend in Reggae music. Marcia Griffiths has been on the scene not only as a solo artist for decades, but also as a fierce collaborator with other reggae artists. She was a member of the I-Threes (who also have a ‘Spotlight’ here) along with Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt. Together, they were Bob Marley’s back-up singers and one of the most influential Reggae acts in the genre. Today she’s in our ‘Spotlight.’

8:00 p.m. Laura Nyro Live at Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, March 31, 1976

Speaking of music legends, here’s another. Her compositions put many, many artists on the map and on the charts, but there is nothing like hearing her sing them herself. Tonight you can!

Once again, allow me to remind you all. We’re on 24/7 and we’re completely free. No strings. No surprises. No credit card required, nor is there a required subscription. We’re anti-capitalist, anti-fascist, and all about the music. The button is below!

Marcia Griffiths!

Monday, Monday Brings ‘The Best of Reggae & Ska,’ a Sly & The Family Stone ‘Spotlight’ and Hendrix Live at a Volcano (No Lie), On May 19, 2025

Good morning, working class! We’re back to Monday and the journey begins with some great programming sprinkled in with our big, wide Open Stream!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Reggae & Ska: Various Artists

We’ve been remiss in playing this, but here it is. You’ll her Bob Marley & The Wailers, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker (with and without The Aces), Laurel Aitken, Derrick Morgan, Jimmy Cliff, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, The Rhythm Aces, Peter Tosh, Marcia Griffiths, The Jiving Juniors, Bunny Wailer and more!

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

One of the greatest bands of the sixties and seventies (1963-1975) without a doubt. They had so many great songs and so many great messages for us all.

8:00 p.m. Jimi Hendrix Experience Live at Tha Haleakala Volcano, Maui, HI, July 30, 1970

A stage was built right there in a cow pasture near Olinda in front of the dormant Haleakala Volcano, and Hendrix and his mates gave a free concert for the filming of Michael Jeffery’s movie, Rainbow Bridge. The performance was called the “Rainbow Bridge Vibratory Color Sound Experiment,” and the band played two sets. The audience was organized via their astrological signs. No lie.

Another work week begins, but we’re here for you all week without interruption to help get you through and back to another weekend. The button, of course, is below.

Monday, Monday

On Thursday It’s the ‘Color My World’ EP, a Bob Marley & The Wailers ‘Spotlight’, and Norah Jones at the HOB, March 27, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. We’re over the hump and on the downslide to the weekend with a great lineup of programming dispersed in our big, wide Open Stream!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start off with Open Stream with a theme: All the colors of the rainbow. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Donovan, Booker T. & The MGs, Procol Harum, Electric Light Orchestra, 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, Linda Ronstadt, J.D. Souther and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Bob Marley & The Wailers

The Legend himself and his bandmates stop by The Mermaid Lounge this afternoon to show us why they were a groundbreaking reggae, ska and rocksteady band.

8:00 p.m. Norah Jones Live at The House of Blues, Chicago, IL, August 24, 2002

We close the programming with a great live performance from the one and only Norah Jones, who also happens to be the daughter of the great Ravi Shankar.

Another day in paradise awaits. We’re almost to the weekend, when things settle down a bit…but just a bit. We’re never out of the shadow of The Orange Menace here. But music can help restore a bit of sanity in these trying times. The button is below.

The Button!

On Friday It’s ‘The Best of Reggae & Ska’, a Neil Young ‘Spotlight’ and Live Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, December 6, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to the Mermaid Lounge. We have made it to Friday and we’ve got a great lineup that includes some vintage TPATH!

Here’s your Friday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Reggae & Ska: Various Artists

Time to break this one out again! We’ve got Bob Marley & The Wailers, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker & The Aces, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Judy Mowatt, Laurel Aitken, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, The Jiving Juniors, Derrick Morgan, The I-Threes and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Neil Young

The grandfather of cool is back in the spotlight today featuring music from his long rock music history and his incredible catalogue. Tune in at 4:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Paradise Club, Boston, MA, July 16, 1978

I remember this one well even though it was years ago just like I remember The Paradise with great fondness. This one was before Damn The Torpedoes and their explosion onto the music scene. History in the making.

As always, before, in between and after we give you our ever-growing wide Open Stream. We’re here 24/7. We’re free. And there’s no advertising to gum up the works. The button, as always, is below.

The Best of Reggae & Ska!

We Celebrate Tom Petty’s Birthday Today and Give You Our Big Reggae Playlist in Between, Sunday, October 20, 2024

Good morning, Petty lovers! Today we give you a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Sandwich with some great reggae in between!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Houston Music Hall, Houston, TX, December 6, 1979 NEW!

We start out by airing a new-to-the-station concert from The Heartbreakers’ Damn The Torpedoes tour. This one was broadcast on the legendary King Biscuit Flower Hour.

2:00 p.m. The Best of Reggae & Ska: Various Artists

This afternoon, we give voice to the Reggae music genre with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bunny Wailter, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker & The Aces, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Judy Mowatt, Laurel Aitken, Marsha Griffiths, Rita Marley, Toots & The Maytals, The Jiving Juniors, Derrick Morgan and more!

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Under The Covers

The same qualities that make The Heartbreakers a great original rock and roll band make them the world’s best cover band, bar none. Today we give you some of their best covers.

It’s a beautiful day here today and I hope it is where you are as well. Just add a little music and it gets even better. Come celebrate the birthday boy with us. The button is below.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Petty!