audiogmail
Gmail had included a simple audio player for a few years (since at least 2006); it used Flash and it was great. You didn't have to download the entire file to play it, no need for a dedicated player, etc.
Now Google has replaced it with a Google Drive integration that won't work in my browser / OS, has no native player, requires more clicks, needs 3rd-party apps that won't work too, and requires lots of account access permissions:
Is there a way to get the old player back?
If you use Dropbox, here's a quick solution using Google Audio Player:
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3523697345-audio-player.swf" quality="best" flashvars="audioUrl=MP3link" width="400" height="27"></embed>
That would give you an audio player in your blog post allowing visitors to play.
As for the download option, simply provide the direct-link to your audio file.
There is an option to choose the older version when you scroll to the bottom of the page. Select that option and you will be directed to use the older version of Gmail.
Best Answer
It looks like for some reason Google doesn't like Firefox on Linux. I wasn't able to find any way to get Google's built in player to work, nor any indication from Google that they're even aware it has a problem.
Fortunately it's very easy to play files with a third party app.
Select one of your MP3 files by ticking the check box. Then, from the More menu, choose Open with then Connect more apps.
Type
music playerin the search box and press Enter. Several search results will appear.Choose a likely looking app and click Connect. For this example I chose Music Player for Google Drive.
Allow the app to associate itself with its file types, and click OK.
Now click your MP3 file. A new window or tab should open with the third party music player.