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Playlist reviews: 50s mixtapes

Friday, August 17th, 2012 at 7:32am by Will Moreland | Comments

We're going back. Way back. Further than any blog post has ever gone before. Well, the 50s. Best decade for music? Check out this quartet of new and classic playlists and decide for yourself...

NME's Best Songs Of The 50s

These days, you simply do not get bands and artists with names as spectacular as Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Johnny Burnette & The Rock 'n' Roll Trio, Johnny Ace, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers and, of course, the big bad Howlin' Wolf. They all featured on this cracker from NME.

French Music of 50's

How does SMP spend its weekend? We like nothing better than sitting at home, on our bean bags, stroking our beards, smoking a pipe and wearing exotic hats, while listening exclusively to French music from the 50s. If you want to try Le SMP Weekenderrr, give this playlist a whirl. It's really very good.

50s Great Oldie Compilations

SMP user Fa Lk has got impeccable 50s taste. Fans and novices alike, click shuffle, click play and see what you can find. A playlist that features everyone from Eddie Cochran, Andy Anderson and Ray Scott, to Fats Domino, the Platters and Gene Chandler.

50s Dancers, 50 minutes

Last but certainly not least, Mark Mason offers "50 minutes of songs you can get up and dance to, recorded and composed in the 1950s." Now. Something has gone awry, mathematically, here. But that doesn't matter. This is one of the best 50s mixtapes we've ever received. 

Like these? Check out playlists dedicated to the 60s, the 70s and the 80s. 

Long live the mixtape!