Tag: Martha & The Vandellas

Sunday It’s Live Van Morrison to Start, Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP, Then Closing With Dusty Springfield, On July 6, 2025

Good morning, musicologists! Welcome to Sunday Funday in The Mermaid Lounge where we begin with some live Van Morrison, carry on with an afternoon of Motown sounds, and close out the programming with a Dusty Springfield ‘Spotlight’ feature!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Van Morrison Live at The Capitol Center, Passaic, NJ, October 6, 1979

We kick it off today with the great Van Morrison live at The Capitol Center. He started out with the British blues band, Them, back in the sixties and he’s still going.

1:00 p.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

We move on to the Mowtown greats to get us through the afternoon, including Barrett Strong, 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. In The Spotlight: The Music of Dusty Springfield

We close it out with the Queen of Blue-Eyed Soul, Dusty Springfield, one of the true pioneers in women’s music.

We’re headed for another two-day heat blast here in the Boston area, but it will be cool here in The Mermaid Lounge, We’re on 24/7. We’re totally free. And we run absolutely no commercial advertising. It’s all about the music here. The button is below.

The Button.

Saturday Brings a Trip to Motor City, a Cass Elliot ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and Gov’t Mule Live at the Roseland, April 12, 2025

Welcome, Weekenders! I return to work today but The Music Mermaid is large and in charge for a great day of programming. Very eclectic, I might add.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

We take a trip to Motor City this morning with songs from Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye, Jr Walker & The All Stars, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Isley Brothers, The Contours, Rare Earth, Mary Wells, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Tammi Terrell and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Cass Elliot NEW!

We leave out the “Mama” because we’ve read many times that she hated that moniker. Cass Elliot was an enigma and the subject of many rumors, and I very much look forward to reading her daughter’s biography. One thing is for certain, she had a great voice and was a member of one of the most influential bands of the sixties, The Mamas & The Papas. She went on to have a successful solo career, recording five albums as a solo artist. She died far too young, at the age of 35. Today, we’ve finally given her the ‘Spotlight’ she deserves.

8:00 p.m. Gov’t Mule Live at The Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY, October 22, 1996

One of the best road jam bands finishes up our Saturday programming this evening. The band started at a ‘side project’ by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody on a break from The Allman Brothers Band back in 1994. They’ve been together ever since.

We’re here 24/7 and we’re completely free of charge and free of any commercial advertising. We’re all about the music. See for yourselves. The button is below!

The Button!

We’re at Midweek With Music From Motor City, Tom Rush ‘In the Spotlight’, and Laura Nyro Live in Japan, March 12, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to midweek. We’ve got another fantastic lineup here to get you over the hump and put you on the downslide to the weekend.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

We start with all the artists that helped put Motown on the map, including Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Barrett Strong, 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, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Tammi Terrell and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Tom Rush

A native New Englander drops by this afternoon to spin some tunes. His importance to music cannot be understated: He is known as the man who started the singer-songwriter genre more than six decades ago. He’s still going strong like the Energizer Bunny.

8:00 p.m. Laura Nyro Live in Japan, February 18-22, 1994

This was the tour when the late, great Laura Nyro conquered Japan. She was recorded live at Kintetsu Hall in Osaka on February 22, and also at On Air West on February 18 and 22.

We’re getting there, folks. We’re at midweek and we head toward another weekend. We’re here 24/7 to make the journey much more pleasant and we’re totally free of charge, and with no commercial interruptions. The button is below.

The Button.

On Friday It’s ‘Repeat After Me’, An All-Star Cast in Concert, and a Randy Newman ‘Spotlight’, February 7, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. I make my 71st trip around the sun today and I chose stuff I wanted to hear. I confess. However, I’m sure you’ll like it too!

Here’s your Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Repeat After Me: Volume One

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So, Linda Ronstadt covers Martha & The Vandellas; The Heartbreakers cover J.J. Cale; Joan Baez covers The Band; Three Dog Night covers Laura Nyro; Emmylou Harris covers The Beatles; and The Beatles cover Barrett Strong. You get the picture. This is one of my favorite playlists. So is Volume Two which will air tomorrow and, hopefully, an new Volume Three which I hope to have ready for Sunday or Monday. Enjoy.

3:00 p.m. Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Hornsby, and David Lindley Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO, September 12, 1999

I had the absolute pleasure of attending this show when it came through Great Woods back in the day. It was a beautiful night in the open air with an all-star cast that did not disappoint. See for yourselves.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Randy Newman

A class act singer-songwriter with a wry sense of humor. Randy Newman is an American institution who has put many a singer on the map. Tonight we hear him sing his own songs.

Once again, we’re here 24/7 at no cost to you. None. No lie. We also refuse to run commercial advertising or to employ overly chatty DJs. We’re all about the music. Check it all out. The button is below.

The Button.

On Sunday It’s The Staple Singers, Live Leon Russell and Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP. It’s December 15, 2024.

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to Sunday in The Lounge. We’ve got a Staple Singers ‘Spotlight’, some live Leon Russell and our ‘M is For Motown’ EP to bring us through late afternoon and into the evening hours.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

9:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Staple Singers

The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B group with a civil rights emphasis founded by Roebuck “Pops” Staples and his children Cleotha, Pervis, and Mavis. They left us a great library of music.

1:00 p.m. Leon Russell Live at Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA, August 7, 1972

To put it bluntly, Leon Russell was a musical legend. Over a sixty-year career he had multiple hits covering many genres, including rock and roll, country, bluegrass, rhythm & blues, southern rock, blues rock, folk, surf and the Tulsa sound. He won two Grammys, was named the top concert attraction of 1973 by Billboard, and in 2011 he was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

4:00 p.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

We close out the day with our great multi-artist Motown EP featuring Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Eddie Holland, 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!

It’s damned cold here today, and it’s a great day to be inside enjoying the world from a window with some great music coming from my speakers. Join me. The button is below.

The Sunday Funday Button!

We’ve Got a Lot of Soul Today With Our Big Motown EP, Sam Cooke, and James Brown on Thursday, November 14, 2024

Good morning, soul music lovers! We’ve got a lot of soul going on today here in The Mermaid Lounge, starting out with our big ‘M is for Motown’ multi-artist EP!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start out the day in Motor City 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

Known as ‘The King of Soul’, Sam Cooke was indeed a pioneer and remains one of the most influential soul and R&B singers on the planet because of his incredible songwriting and unique vocal style.

8:00 p.m. James Brown & The Famous Flames Live at The Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York, June 24-25, 1967

We close out the programming this evening with the hardest working man in show business, hands down, at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Here we are as we pass hump day and head for the weekend. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free. We never air commercial advertising and that’s because we’re not in it for the money. We’re anti-capitalist music lovers here. The button is below.

M is For Motown!

It’s Our ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP, Live Otis Redding and the Spotlight on The Queen of Soul, Wednesday, September 25, 2025

Good morning, soul music lovers and welcome to midweek. We’re soulful all day today with our big soul and R & B EP, the Big O live from the Whiskey and The Queen of Soul.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

We start off a day of soul programming with ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul.’ 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, Fontella Bass, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Irma Thomas, The Box Tops, Ann Peebles, Al Green and more!

4:00 p.m. Otis Redding Live at The Whiskey A Go Go, West Hollywood, CA, April 9 & 10, 1966 NEW!

We’ve got some new Otis Redding live music from the historic Whiskey A Go Go at 4:00 p.m this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Aretha Franklin

We close it out today with the undisputed Queen of Soul In the Spotlight!

It’s officially hump day. We’re over the hump today and heading for the weekend tomorrow, so take heart. We’ve got great soul and R & B to get you through the day. Just use the button below!

A Little Bit O’ Soul

It’s Motown Music, a Doris Troy Spotlight Feature and Live James Taylor, on Saturday, September 14, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got our ‘M is For Motown’ multi-artist EP, a Spotlight featuring Doris Troy and some live James Taylor later.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start with five hours of music from the Motor City 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, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Doris Troy

Known to her fans as “Mama Soul,” singer-songwriter Doris Troy’s only top ten hit was Just One Look, recorded in ten minutes and released in 1963. She faded from the American conscience and found herself in England, signed by The Beatles to Apple Records and releasing an album co-produced by George Harrison. She fared much better in the UK than she did here, and that’s a shame. Doris Troy was truly one of the many talented who fall through the cracks. Today we have her In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. James Taylor Live at The Beacon Theater, New York, NY, May 30, 1998

We close out the evening’s programming with Sweet Baby James Taylor live from The Beacon in New York.

Here we are, weekenders! We’re hanging in The Lounge until my work day begins, when The Music Mermaid comes on board and guides us through until later today. You will not be disappointed. Better still, we’re free of charge and free from commercial advertising.

M is For Motown!

At Midweek We Head for Motor City, Then It’s Booker T. & The MGs and New Marvin Gaye, Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Good morning, lovers of the ‘Motown sound’! We open up with a trip to Motor City this morning, then we move on to a Booker T. Spotlight feature and Marvin Gaye’s number one hits this evening!

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

We head for Motor City to hear Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, 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 Booker T. & The MG’s

Surely one of the finest bands of the sixties. Before they hit the big time, they were the House Band for Stax Records, another soul and R&B powerhouse.

8:00 p.m. Marvin Gaye: The Number Ones NEW!

Known as the Prince of Soul, Marvin Gaye was instrumental in shaping the Motown sound of the sixties. It’s only fitting that we close out the programming with a collection of his number one hits.

What could be better than Motown and Stax on the same day? We’re on 24/7 at no charge to you, and we do not play the same playlist over and over every single day. We leave all those details to The Music Mermaid and, as you know if you listen, she has impeccable taste in music.

M is for Motown!

It’s a Motown Kind of Sunday With Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes on July 14, 2024

Good morning, Motown maniacs! We’ve got a full magilla Motown Sunday going on today with our programming. But before, in between, and after, it remains our big, wide Open Stream!

Here’s your Motown musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Stevie Wonder

We open not with our EP, but with a Stevie Wonder Spotlight feature. He is one of the foundational artists of Motown, scoring his first smash hit at the age of thirteen with Fingertips Pt. 2. He also went on the Ed Sullivan show playing harmonica and singing the song, with another future sensation, Marvin Gaye, playing drums.

12:00 p.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

At noon, we launch into the Motown sound 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!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Diana Ross & The Supremes

Known as the Primettes in the early sixties, this band would morph into Diana Ross & The Supremes and help establish Motown as a musical force in American popular music.

Here we are on another Sunday in The Mermaid Lounge. It’s far too hot to venture outside, so we will bask in the comfort of the cave that is our studio here and play some great music all day and all night long at absolutely no cost to you. And, I might add, with no commercial interruption. Enjoy it with us. The button’s below.

Sunday is for Motown!