Pre-1970s Playlists

For the decades before 1970: early blues, the first wave of rock and roll, and the folk and soul that grew alongside them. These playlists offer different ways into that earlier sound.

A Night with Ms Marveille

Classic vocal jazz built around Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Chet Baker's trumpet.

18 tracks

American Gods Among Us

Gospel, Americana and soundtrack atmosphere, with Brian Reitzell, Bob Dylan and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

23 tracks

Damn to Atomic Physics and Being a Professor

Raw blues and garage rock, pairing Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and KALEO.

33 tracks

Echo of John Henry

Blues, folk and blues-rock connections, with Albert Collins, Albert King, Allen Toussaint and Arlo Guthrie.

342 tracks

George sings The Beatles songs

The Beatles catalogue filtered through George Harrison's songs and lead vocals.

28 tracks

Ginger Baker Tribute at Hammersmith Apollo

Cream and Blind Faith selections in tribute to Ginger Baker, with Hammersmith Apollo as the setting.

16 tracks

Harmonica Blues

A harmonica-led blues set — Big Walter Horton, Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite and the instrument's other masters.

21 tracks

Hirayama's songs listened to on the way work

A Perfect Days-inspired commute mix, with classic soul and songwriting from Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bill Withers.

38 tracks

History of the Blues Guitar Riffs with all respect The Band

A guitar-riff survey of blues history, from Albert King and Big Bill Broonzy through Eric Clapton and Gary Moore.

48 tracks

Jazz Cocktail 🍸

Bossa-tinged cocktail jazz — Antônio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, Diana Krall and Duke Ellington.

20 tracks

Jazzstation

Swing, hard bop and exploratory jazz, with Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Benny Goodman and Alice Coltrane.

312 tracks

Mother Earth & Father Sky

Vintage swing and vocal-group harmony — Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, The Ink Spots and The Mills Brothers.

61 tracks

Mousiké

Turkish classical song and oud, with Zeki Müren, Müzeyyen Senar, Münir Nurettin Selçuk and Udi Hrant.

5 tracks

Prepare for Ginger Baker Tribute

Cream, Blind Faith and Ginger Baker's own projects — a primer before seeing his music performed live.

58 tracks

Ringo sings The Beatles songs

The Beatles catalogue filtered through Ringo Starr's lead vocals.

16 tracks

Sad Radio

Early blues and gospel-blues voices, with Bessie Smith and Blind Willie Johnson at the centre.

117 tracks

Slaves of Cotton Field

Early blues, boogie-woogie and field recordings, with Albert Ammons, Alberta Hunter and recordings collected by Alan Lomax.

3195 tracks

Solos of The Slowhand

Eric Clapton's guitar playing with Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, and beyond.

20 tracks

Songs from Leonard Cohen

A selection of Leonard Cohen's songs, centred on his words, voice and changing arrangements.

29 tracks

Songs with a Woman in the Name

Songs named for women, with selections from Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Cream and Neil Diamond.

27 tracks

The Band Nerede ?

Band energy across soul, blues and rock, with B.B. King, Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits and Chuck Berry.

113 tracks

War is gone

Protest, reflection and folk-rock with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.

36 tracks

Z Report 🎺

Jazz across styles, with Art Blakey, Ahmad Jamal, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Ambrose Akinmusire and ARTEMIS.

656 tracks

Masterpieces of Erkin the Father

Erkin Koray's electric guitars and Anatolian melodies, bringing folk textures into psychedelic rock.

44 tracks

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