Tag: Ray Charles

On Saturday It’s ‘A Little Bit O’Soul,’ a Patty Griffin ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and the Zombies Live in the UK, On May 24, 2025

Welcome, weekenders! We’ve got quite an eclectic lineup here for you today…something for everybody. It starts with great soul and R & B, then on to country-folk and British Invasion rock!

Here’s your Saturday musical lineup:

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

All the best from the sixties and seventies including The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Edwin Starr, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, Irma Thomas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Ann Peebles, Al Green, Fontella Bass, and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Patty Griffin

Patty Griffin has written many songs performed and interpreted by many artists. She’s an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician in the folk, folk[-rock, and country-folk genres, and it’s always a pleasure to hear her sing her own stuff.

8:00 p.m. The Zombies Live at Metropolis Studios, London, UK, March 8, 2008

One of the most important and influential bands of the sixties British Invasion reunited for a time, including for this performance at Metropolis Studios in London. Enjoy.

We are here cooking in The Mermaid Lounge on a 24/7 basis. We play the best music on the planet at no cost to our listeners, and we never run commercial advertising. With over 27,000 songs on our playlist, we give you the most variety and we play more women than any other music stations hands down. The button is below.

Welcome, Weekenders!

It’s Thursday and We’re Headed to Laurel Canyon, Then It’s Live Dan Fogelberg, and ‘The Soul Men’, On April 17, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’re over the hump and headed for the weekend! We start in Laurel Canyon this morning, then move on to some live Dan Fogelberg and close it with ‘The Soul Men.’

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We visit Laurel Canyon, home to two generations of musical artists who collaborated and cross-pollinated to create the genre known as country-rock. You’ll hear The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Mamas & The Papas, 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 and more!

4:00 p.m. Dan Fogelberg Live at The Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA, August 15, 1985

This afternoon we hear from yet another great singer-songwriter who belongs in the RRHOF. He is not yet in despite numerous petitions. They’ve been too busy inducting artists like Kiss, Tupac, Paliament Funkadelic and The Bee Gees and ignoring him. Don’t forget it took them until fucking 2014 to induct Linda Ronstadt. That was yet another travesty righted. We’re still watiing…

8:00 p.m. The Soul Men, Volume One: Various Artists

We swear we’re working on volume two. In this one you’ll hear Jimmy Ruffin, Marvin Gaye, Ben E. King, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Bill Withers, Al Green, The Temptations, Slim Harpo, Freddie King, Fats Domino, Jackie Wilson and more!

We’re off on another day in retail hell, but you’re in good hands here with The Music Mermaid! She’ll take care of your every musical need and make sure we give you the best of our big, wide Open Stream before, in between, and after our programming. The button is below.

The Button.

We’re at Midweek With ‘The Founders’, a James Taylor ‘Spotlight’, and The Pretenders Live in Germany, Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Good morning, music lovers and welcome to midweek. We start out with the founders of rock and roll, then it’s a JT ‘Spotlight’ feature and some live Pretenders!

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Founders: Various Artists

We start our musical journey in the Wayback Machine as we pay respect to those who started it all, including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Hank Williams, Bill Haley & His Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of James Taylor

Sweet Baby James visits us this afternoon, a singer-songwriting legend whose volume of work speaks for itself.

8:00 p.m. The Pretenders Live at Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, Germany, June 23, 2009

We close it out with a live performance from The Pretenders, a band that has literally been in flux for decades with the only constant being the amazing Chrissie Hynde.

We’re at midweek and that means that tomorrow we’ll be on the downslide to the weekend, the only time we can sort of catch our breath under this misbegotten fascist regime. Music can help us get through this, and we remain free of charge and broadcasting 24/7. The button, my friends, is below.

The Button.

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With Blues From The Bayou and Beyond, Albert King & SRV, and Roomful of Blues, April 8, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists! It’s Tuesday Bluesday and we’ve got ‘The Best of Louisiana Blues,’ Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan ‘in session’, and a Roomful of Blues ‘Spotlight’ feature to light up your day!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Louisiana Blues: Various Artists

Today we give you the blues from the bayou and beyond with Ray Charles, Lillian Glinn, Slim Harpo, Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Rodney Harris, Roosevelt Sykes, Shirley & Lee, Papa Lightfoot, Guiitar Slim, Annie Laurie, Dave Bartholomew, Allen Toussaint, Mary Butler, Erline Harris, Marcia Ball, Fats Matthews, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas and more!

4:00 p.m. Albert King & Stevie Ray Vaughan In Session at CHCH-TV Studios, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, December 6, 1983

King was 60 years old and Stevie Ray Vaughan was 29 when they got together for this session work for Canadian television. Two masters at their best. Give a listen.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Roomful of Blues

Originating in Westerly, Rhode Island, this blues band gives you more than you bargained for. They’ve been exciting audiences for half a century, pushing the boundaries of traditional blues but keeping it rooted in the blues. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, they “Swagger, sway and swing with energy and precision.”

We’re here for another great day of blues intertwined with our big, wide Open Stream. Tune us in. We’re on 24/7 and we’re always free of charge and without commercial interruption. The button is below.

Tuesday Bluesday!

On Sunday, It’s ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul,’ Live Emmylou Harris & Spyboy, and a Supremes ‘Spotlight’, March 23, 2025

Good morning, musicologists! We’ve got a lot of soul today with some live Emmylou Harris with one of her fantastic backing bands in tow. See below for details!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

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

We’ve got our soul mojo working today with Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Edwin Starr, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, Irma Thomas, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Ann Peebles, Al Green, Fontella Bass and more!

4:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris & Spyboy Live at Kongresshaus, Zurich, Switzerland, January 20, 1997

Since her touring days with The Hot Band, Emmylou Harris has had a knack for putting together amazing road bands. Spyboy was no exception. The band was formed for the tour supporting her career-redefining album, Wrecking Ball. Spyboy consisted of three members: country singer-songwriter Buddy Miller on guitar and New Orleans musicians Daryl Johnson on bass and Brady Blade on drums.

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

We’re back to soul tonight with a focus on The Supremes. It’s a great way to close out a soulful musical day.

Here we are again providing a respite in this tempest with great music 24/7. No charge. No tracking. No subscription required. We are all about the music. Come and go as you please. The button is below.

The Button.

Tuesday Bluesday Falls On Mardi Gras This Year, So We’re on Full Blast Louisiana Music Programming Today, March 4, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists! This year, Tuesday Bluesday falls on Mardi Gras, so we are celebrating with all Louisiana programming today. Join us for the celebrfation!

Here’s your Louisiana musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Louisiana Blues: Various Artists


We kick it all off with five hours of uninterrupted Louisiana blues, from the bayou and beyond featuring Ray Charles, Lillian Glinn, Slim Harpo, Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Rodney Harris, Roosevelt Sykes, Shirley & Lee, Papa Lightfoot, Guitar Slim, Annie Laurie, Fats Matthews, Big Joe Turner, Big Boy Myles, Erline Harris, Marcia Ball, Dave Bartholomew, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas and more

4:00 p.m. Irma Thomas Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA, April 11, 1976

Though she never achieved the commercial success of Aretha Franklin or Etta James, Irma Thomas was certainly most worthy of fame. Today she retains the title of The Soul Queen of New Orleans.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Fats Domino

The birth of rock n’ roll came from both country music and the blues. Fats Domino was certainly a primary architect of the rock n’ roll genre. In fact, we’re not sure anyone transitioned the blues to rock n’ roll quite like Fats Domino who, by the way, was a favorite of a band called The Beatles.

We’re here. We’re free. We’re on 24/7. We don’t track you or require personal information. We don’t ask for a subscription or a credit card. We’re anti-capitalist. The button is below. Celebrate with us today.

Tuesday Bluesday!

We’re Feeling Soulful With Our Big EP, a Drifters ‘Spotlight’, and Live Nina Simone on Saturday, February 22, 2025

Good morning, soul and R & B lovers! We’re amped up today as we bring you ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ for starters, then it’s the Drifters ‘In the Spotlight’ and some live Nina Simone!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

We officially begin the weekend with our biggest soul music EP, featuring Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, The Drifters, 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, Ann Peebles, Al Green and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Drifters

The Drifters have an interesting background, reflecting the social injustice of the times. It’s too long for me to write about on this blog, but you can read all about it here. Regardless, they made some great music and we’ve got them ‘In the Spotlight’ today.

8:00 p.m. Nina Simone Live at Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, France, July 24 & 25, 1965 NEW!

Today we celebrate the birthday (February 21) of the late, great Nina Simone, singer, songwriter, music arranger and, yes, civil rights and social justice activist. Here she’s live at the the annual Jazz a Juan International Jazz Festival. We need her fighting spirit now.

Come on in to The Mermaid Lounge for a little bit of soul and R & B today. In between that programming, we’ve got our big, wide Open Stream running 24/7 at no charge. We’re anti-capitalist. We care about only one thing: Playing great music for you folks with absolutely no commercial interruption. The button is below.

The Button.

On Sunday, It’s ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’, Live Emmylou Harris, and The Pretenders ‘In The Spotlight’, January 26, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’re all over the musical map today with our ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP, some live Emmylou Harris and The Pretenders ‘In the Spotlight’ later!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

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

We start the day off with our big kahuna of soul and R & B encompassing Motown, Stax and Atlantic, among others. You’ll hear Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Jimmy Ruffin, The Drifters, 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. Emmylou Harris Live at My Father’s Place, Roslyn, New York, September 14, 1976

This afternoon we’ve got some early Emmylou Harris from My Father’s Place, a popular venue for young, aspiring artists on Long Island.

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

Chrissie Hynde’s band brings up the rear with some hard-edged rock as we close out the day’s programming.

But we’re here all day and all night. Before, in between, and after our scheduled programs we give you our big, wide Open Stream without interruption. The button is below.

The Button.

On Tuesday Bluesday It’s ‘The Best of Louisiana Blues’, Live Dr. John, and The Allman Brothers Band, January 21, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists. We’re back on another Tuesday and that means it’s time for the blues. We start in Louisiana with ‘The Best of Louisiana Blues’ for the first five hours.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Louisiana Blues: Various Artists

We’ve got the blues from the bayou and beyond with Ray Charles, Lillian Glinn, Slim Harpo, Ray Brown, Fats Domino, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Rodney Harris, Roosevelt Sykes, Shirley & Lee, Papa Lightfoot, Guitar Slim, Annie Laurie, Dave Bartholomew, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Fats Matthews, Big Joe Turner, Little Walter, Mary Butler, Erline Harris, Marcia Ball and more!

4:00 p.m. Dr. John Live at Ronnie Scott’s, London, UK, January 7-14, 1996 NEW!

Dr. John and some authentic Louisiana blues recorded live over a residency at Ronnie Scott’s in London will be in The Lounge this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Allman Brothers Band

We close out Tuesday Bluesday with The Brothers and their special brand of Southern blues-rock.

We’re here 24/7 and Tuesday Bluesday is a busy day in The Lounge. There’s plenty of room fo reveryone. The button is below.

Tuesday Bluesday!

Today It’s Our ‘On the Map’ Playlist, Guy Clark ‘In the Spotlight’ and Live Little Feat on Monday, January 6, 2025

Good morning, music lovers. Yes. It’s Monday all over again and the Orange Blob’s election is certified today, but the music is here to get you through.

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. On The Map: Various Artists

Yesterday we had songs about life on the road; today it’s destinations. You’ll hear The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Little Feat, America, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, the Grateful Dead, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Johnny Rivers, Arlo Guthrie, Scott McKenzie, The Association, Fats Domino, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Glen Campbell, James Taylor, Paul Simon and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Guy Clark

This guy was one of the best singer-songwriters on the planet, and I was exposed to his music quite by chance. My friends and I were out for a romp in Cambridge, Massachusetts on a very cold and snowy winter night and were looking for a place to land and get warm. We stopped at Passim’s Coffee House, paid the cover fee and watched one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever seen in my life. After that night, country rock was king and the fiddle was my new favorite instrument.

8:00 p.m. Little Feat Live From Neon Park, Various Locations Between December 12-20, 1995 NEW!

This is our very first live performance by Little Feat without the great Lowell George. Yes, they have kept the Feat’s spirit alive, but there will never be another Lowell George. The “Neon Park” is not real. It’s named after the artist who has created Little Feat’s album covers for decades. The music was recorded at Roseland Theater in Portland, The Fillmore in San Francisco, and The House of Blues in Los Angeles during their 1995 tour.

Before, in between and after our programmed selections we give you our big, wide Open Stream which continues to grow. We’re 100% free with no commercial advertising and no big-mouthed DJs. The button is below. See for yourselves.

The Button.