A Look at The Original Mixed Tape
Let’s have a look at the original “mixed tape.” Although they were never called this at the time, the Philips Demonstration Music Cassette is, perhaps, the original mixed tape. They were really good. I know, because we had one and it was my introduction to “mature” music. And it still holds a special place for me even after so many years.
Thapson
Birth of the Music Cassette
We go back to the late 60s. To a time when music is mostly played on LPs, and reel to reel tape players, and 8 track tapes.
Then Philips develops the music cassette. They also made the first portable cassette player, which are quite the thing at that time. Suddenly you can carry music around wherever you go and, dare I say, record your own voice – gasp! And my dad purchased this portable Phillips EL-3302 cassette recorder. It resembled the Tricorder that Spock from the original Star Trek would use when landing on a new planet. I enjoyed hanging the cassette recorder similarly around my shoulder with the microphone plugged in pretending it’s a scanning device to check the atmospheric content.
The Cassette Player Evolves
Gradually, better players are manufactured over the 70s. And further on to the Boombox and Walkman in the 80s. The cassette player becomes the most popular music player over this period and an integral part of any music system. Everyone knows how digital technology, and the CD gradually made the cassette obsolete. Right through the late 90s, I was happy in having my original music in the form of cassettes which became priceless as time went by. In any case, we’re digressing from our story.
The Demonstration Music Cassette
Back then, when you bought a cassette player you would get a free demonstration cassette from the manufacturer. The music on these tapes reflected or “demonstrated” the quality of the player you are buying. This tape was designed to convince you into buying the player – hence the name. Recordings on these tapes is top notch and covers a wide range of notes from the highest to the lowest, timbre, etc. The demonstration tape that came with our Phillips player had the coolest piece of music I heard at that age. This is my introduction to the world of serious music outside of the kids’ stuff I listened to till then. The samples on the tape covered all major genres of the time ranging from Latin, orchestra, innovative pop, bluesy rock, jazz and were completely magical to me.
My Attachment Persisted
I played it hundreds of times, never tiring of it. Then my baby sister was born and got her hands on the cover and tore it up. Luckily the tape still survived. I grew up listening to other more current music, but the demo tape with its samples remained a favorite. The tape was lost, found, lost, found, and lost again. It’s still out there among some old stuff of mine. There were times I missed it and wished I could play it just for old times sake. Then came the Internet. Aha! The Internet is a great tool to rediscover my old tape again, I thought. So, I started my search. I first needed to find the list of music on the tape, then the music itself – only the original recordings would do! I started Googling away. How did I do?
My Search
Having no written record of the music, I went by the tunes in my head and would be able to recognize them immediately.
As I Googled, I actually got some hits. These were listings for Phillips demonstration cassettes and music on them from that era. But the music selections differed. I knew the names of at least two artists from the tape but these tapes did not have them. After repeated searches, I was giving up hope. As a final attempt, I decided to scan the images that had been returned. Way down, buried among these, bingo! There was a Pinterest image that brought everything back into focus. On clicking the link, I was taken aback as it was part of a set of three images of the tape from so long ago. I recognized it immediately.
About the Tape
Locating the image of the tape was surprise. I could easily see the music listing on the tape. Jotting all the details, I began to seek out the music.
I Googled the first piece of music with all the details included so as to achieve only the original recording. For a recording so old, I expected nothing to show up. Another surprise! It was from, of all places, YouTube! Clicking on the link I was taken back to years ago as the original music poured out of the speakers. It was exactly how it used to be, maybe a little lower in quality. But I am not complaining. I was just happy to have any quality as long as it was original.
The Music
The team at Philips made sure they touched on as wide and variety of music covering all the popular genres of that era. Of course, they also were also marketing the music that was available under their Philips/Fontana label. The cassette had an excerpt of these titles which helped as, at that age, my attention span would have been too small to appreciate the full length. Hope you enjoy the selections as much as I did.
Here’s the music on my much beloved Philips Demonstration Music Cassette from so long ago. It should be a welcome change from today’s computerized, voice-enhanced productions. Also, a fascinating glimpse into the trends and tastes of music from the mid to late 60s.
“Melodie d’Amour” (Salvador/Lanjean) Michel Legrand and his orchestra
Probably the first time I noticed the strings in an orchestra and it helped me appreciate them. Legrand was a genius, and scored music for a large number of movies and TV shows. Look for him on the credits. He died recently in 2019.
ifcopod / YouTube.com
“El Cumbanchero” (R Hernandez) Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra
An exciting piece by Xavier Cugat who apparently was a pioneer in popularizing Latin music in the US. Must have been quite the ladies’ man as he was married five times! I was then, and am still blown away by the horns.
David / YouTube.com
“Cielito lindo” (Mendoza/Reep) Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos
Sung by popular Paraguayan artists this is a popular Mexican song which can be translated roughly to “Lovely sweet one”. While comparing a loved one to the beauty of nature. Translations to English make this song more fun to appreciate and can be found on the net.
VintageMusicFM / YouTube.com
“Play a simple Melody” (I. Berlin) Horst Jankowski
I love the piano on this number. Jankowski gives a wonderfully updated (for those days) version of this old classic song. If it reminds one of a Christmas song, it is no surprise as that was composed by the same artist, Irving Berlin.
W. Walter Watson / YouTube.com
“You Are My Sunshine” (J. Davis/C.Mitchell) Dutch Swing College Band
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a better quality audio of this. This tune is so popular, but this was my introduction to it. I think the Dutch Swing College Band did a fine job with it, and it remains my favorite rendition.
You Are My Sunshine
“Adios Muchachos” (Sanders/C. F. Vedanil) Malando and his Tango-Orchestra
This song just makes you want to get up and Tango – even if you can’t. The music just does that something to you.
Henk Gloudemans / YouTube.com
“You’re Driving Me Crazy” (W. Donaldson) Panorama Sound Orchestra
Again, a less than ideal recording quality. But it is the original which was on the demonstration music cassette. Reflective of the popularity of big band music of the time.
Koldwink-Instrumental Music Vol. 2 / YouTube.com
“South of the Border” (J. Kennedy/M. Carr) Pablo Rotero and his Mexican Brass Boys
This one is hard to get. Another very popular number, but I like this version the best – because it was likely the first version I heard. But then, this is a very interesting interpretation of this popular classic. I’m going to have to share the MP3 version here.
South of the Border
“Finchley Central” (G. Stephens/A. Klein) The New Vaudeville Band
Okay now we’re going to get all British with this unusual, experimental band. This was during the time of the British Rock invasion of the US wherein the Americans were crazy about anything from the UK. This band marketed itself as old fashioned and over the top English. In fact the vocalist even sang through a megaphone to sound Vaudevillian. In the US they evidently referred to him as “Tristram – Seventh Earl of Cricklewood” to make it as English as possible.
PhilGoodFactor1 / YouTube.com
“Flip, Flop, and Fly” (C. Calhoun/L.W. Turner) Jerry Lee Lewis
Here we get down to some bluesy rock and roll by Jerry Lee Lewis. I’m sure you know him pretty well so I’ll just let him sing here. In case you’re wondering: the song does end early and there’s a blank space at the end.
Andreu Rock / YouTube.com
“Sherry” (B. Gaudio) The Four Seasons
Another one you are familiar with for sure. Back then, I thought the lead singer in this band was a woman. It was much later I found that Frankie Valli was a man singing in high octave. I found that very strange the first time as I couldn’t imagine why he would do that.
RHINO / YouTube.com
“Jive Samba” (N. Adderly) Sarah Vaughan
As a kid this song felt way “over the top” intellectual to me. I was fascinated by its composition, and as an adult, I’m still not sure if I’m appreciating Jazz the way it’s supposed to be. But, all in all, a beautiful and haunting melody.
paolo berto / YouTube.com
So ended the search for, and recreate, the first mix-tape of my life. And probably among the first ever created professionally. A quick look on the internet reveals that there are many others with similar memories, and who appreciate these tapes. This era of the demonstration cassette is gone forever, never to return, as technology and culture has moved on.
I’ll be back with another batch of interesting stuff from the “music vault.” Feel free to comment using the form below.
Last Three Posts from “The Music Vault”
“The Human League” – It’s Human to Like Them
Remarkable Stuff from “Huey Lewis and the News”
Surprise! I Do Like R&B Without Realizing It!
