1960s

The 'groovy' highway hi-fis of the 1950s

I know a little about under-dash record players from the late 1960s, but I was totally clueless about 1950s car turntables, until I heard writer Paul Collins talking about them on WNYC's "Soundcheck" radio show a few weeks ago. I chatted with Collins to learn more about these groovy hi-fis.

Columbia Records developed the proprietary Highway Hi-Fi format: a thick 7-inch, 16 2/3rpm record that had up to one hour playing time per side. Chrysler executives jumped on the idea, and offered the turntable as an option in their 1956 models, and were hoping one out … Read more

Crossfade TV: Nina Simone, UFO!, Red House Painters

On Crossfade TV this week, the Download Music crew checks out a cool new set of previously unreleased recordings and interviews from the late jazz/blues/gospel/soul artist Nina Simone called Protest Anthology; a few new songs from electronic artist UFO! (not to be confused with the Brits who brought you the classic-rock staple "Too Hot Too Handle"); and the brand-new album from Sun Kil Moon, the name Mark Kozelek seems to be sticking with (after long-ago retiring his previous band name, Red House Painters).

Crossfade TV is a collaboration between Download Music and CNET TV.

Nina Simone, 'Revolution': Free MP3 of the Day

Simone worship is common among softcore jazz-soul-poppers, but they tend to gloss over her firebrand side. "Protest Anthology" presents Simone as the edgy and outspoken singer she was, collecting several of her fiercest cuts. Few have ever combined preaching and crooning so deftly.

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Gram Parsons, 'Long Black Limousine': Free MP3 of the Day

When Gram Parsons first started recording in the 1960s, country was anything but 'hip.' But this Georgia boy's love for the music was genuine, and his laid-back 'cosmic' take on old-school standards opened a new generation's eyes and ears (and gave inspiration to bands like the Stones, the Eagles, and Uncle Tupelo). This vault release showcases previously unreleased live recordings from Gram's band the Flying Burrito Brothers in '69.

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Porsche unveils homage to 1960s racer

Porsche announced plans for an unveiling at the 2007 Bologna auto show next week that evokes nostalgia for 1960s racing.

The Boxter RS 60 Spyder (left) will be offered in limited edition. It's meant to be an homage to the Porsche Type 718 RS 60 Spyder (right) that won 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida in 1960. The car will offer the same type of GT Silver metallic paintjob , Carerra red interior and stainless steel door trims as the original. Other features that distinguish this car from the 2007 Boxter S will be 19-inch wheels positioned higher within the … Read more

Retro phones finally done right

Making retro-style phones seems to be an obsession with some companies, for reasons that continue to baffle us. We've seen updated phones from the 1930s to the 1960s, sometimes with just parts of them available.

But UncommonGoods has taken the concept to its truest form, restoring actual phones with modern wiring, cords and microphones. If you're interested in getting one of them, be aware that availability is limited: Like so many other things, there isn't an abundance of phones that survived the '60s.