dimanche 14 décembre 2014

The art of recording a mixtape

When I think of blank tapes in the 80s, I think creating an art piece and the beautiful complexity that came with it. 


What kind of music did I want to record on it?  New Wave, Alternative, Punk or Heavy Metal.

Depending of the type of music, I would choose the perfect cassette. 

What brand?  Maxell, Denon, Sony, TDK were my top favorites. 

What position? Normal, Chrome CRo2 or Metal

What length? 30, 60, 90 or 120 min

How much money did I had in my pocket?  I was in highschool...'nuff said.

What artwork?  What image from a magazine would I choose?

I used a lot of Maxell UR-90 (position normal), that's what I could afford and they sounded good. But I prefered the Maxell XLII-90 (Position Chrome/CRo2), that's been THE cassette I used the most for my recordings in the 80's.  Especially for all my New Wave and Alternative music. 

When I would have a little more money I would treat myself with a Denon just because it was more fashionable but I would end up most of the time being unhappy of the sound result, to high for my liking, not enough bass.  So these Denon were good for my Heavy Metal and Punk music.

Sony HF-60 (normal) and the orange Sony LNX-60 (normal).  For simple music use. 

Another brand I used a lot was TDK, of all kinds.  TDK D 90 (normal), good sound, not expensive. Perfect for enless mixtapes for my friends and sports tournaments. I tried the TDK MA 90 (Metal) but there is something I never really liked with the metal position, it sounded like an empty can....that's my personnal point of view from my teenage souvenirs.  TDK SA 90 (CRo2), great Chrome cassette but I prefered the Maxell XLII-90 by a bit.  TDK D 60, even if I prefered 90 minutes tapesl  And finally TDK SD 90 (CRo2), used them a lot, much more then the TDK SA 90 but less then the Maxell XLII-90. 

Sometimes you get yourself fooled by the cover.  That's what happened with the very colourful design of the Memorex dBS 110.  Loved the look, hated the sound, just not a quality cassette.
I guess my dad bought some BASF LH extra I 90 (Normal), didn't like it.  The end.

What about the length of a cassette?  I never, ever had the need for a 30 minutes.  I guess people used it to record their voice on it?  So short!  The 60 minutes was so popular but it was too long to record a full record that would leave to much blank space on each side.  My perfect size was the 90 minutes.  One full album on each side.  That was perfect to record my vinyl on my blank tape to listen on my Walkman at school.  I sometimes was tempted by the 120 minutes version to record long various mixtapes but I thought these would easily break and the sound would loose in quality. 

The artwork. I remember using my best writing to write the titles and artists.  My handwriting had to be even perfect than a French exam.  I would choose an image in a magazine that would represent the mood of my mixtape.  Even if my favorite magazines were music ones, I would prefer fashion ones for my mixtapes because there were a lot of abstract image to choose from. Cut the exact size and there it is; the perfect 80's mixtape!

MissEighties

samedi 13 décembre 2014

MissEighties perfect 80's Xmas gifts

What did my XMAS wishlist looked like in the 80s?  I still remember.  It was pretty simple.  Music, music, music and games.

All the Coleco Mini-Arcades was on my top list.  I enjoyed playing at real arcades but these mini versions were even cooler to me.  I could play hours on it. The one I finally got was Donkey Kong Jr.  Must have been in 1983, the year of the release.

My dad gave me a lot of Ktel compilations and most of them were actually really good and made me discover some great bands.  One of my favorite was Radio Active released in 1982. Can't go wrong with The Police, Hall & Oates and The Go-Go's!

 

Name one kid that haven't got this popular brain toy on their list in 1980 and 1981?  Or maybe I only had geeky friends already!  I remember that I wanted to play with my Rubik cube so bad but I didn't want to mess it up because I knew for sure I wouldn't be able to see it again in it's original form.  Only a multicolored cube, with 2 rows of the same colors, but a lot of fun...and patience.



What was on YOUR 80's Xmas wishlist?

lundi 30 décembre 2013

BROADCAST NEWS (1987)


I never had the chance to watch "Broadcast News" at the theater, Beta tape or VHS tape in the 80s.  Nope, but I did on Netflix a few weeks ago.


The thing I loved the most about this movie is the technology....in 1987.  The TV screens, the cassettes.  Speaking of cassettes, seeing Blair (Joan Cusack) running, tripping, falling to deliver the news tape like her life depends on it is priceless.  I've always been a fan of hers.


And then, out of nowhere, these two men comes in the studio to present their suggestion for the news music theme.  Both playing on the same keyboard, singing in (almost) harmonies, super proud of themselves! Lol, a great moment.

 
Holly Hunter is great, playing Jane Craig, a strong women as well as being adorable.  But like others who saw the movie, I don't get it when she cries suddenly, just like that.  I know this can happen but it seemed weird each time she started to cry...like if it didn't fit the character.  Besides this, all good!


That smart Tom (William Hurt), who seems so confident, a seducer but what a liar bastard!  And when he teared up, argh!  But I was happy each time Aaron (Albert Brooks) would squeeze him in the corner.

Aaron: OK, don't name them for me.  Just tell me if you know?
Tom: Yes, I know the name of the cabinet
Aaron: OK, all twelve?
Tom: YES!
Aaron: There's only ten.


Poor Aaron when he gets his last chance to present the news.  For once, Tom whose confidence is on top, gives very good  tips to make Aaron look better in front of the camera....but that won't be enough.  He will sweat and sweat and be soaken wet of sweating.

Aaron made me laugh more than once with is particular humour, his awkwardness and a tiny lazy.
"I can sing while I read. I am singing and reading both!"


 Have you seen "Broadcast News" movie?  Tell us about it?

-MissEighties

samedi 28 décembre 2013

New Year's Eve in the 80s

 

It's only fews days until we will celebrate New Year's Eve.  It will be the beginning of 2014.
I did some research to look, see and listen what NYE in the 80's was like. 
Check out all the video yellow links below!  A lot of 80's fun!

New-York New Year's Eve Ball Drop
1979-1980
1980-1981
1981-1982
1982-1983
1983-1984
1984-1985
1985-1986
1986-1987
1987-1988
1988-1989

1980
On December 1980, a Thriller movie was released; New Year's Evil.  I need to see this one! 

1981
Disneyland New Year's Eve poster


1982
MTV 1982 New Year's Eve promo.
-And A Flock of Seagulls.
- A Flock of Seagulls! Wooooooohhh!"

How about a live DJ mix at the Traxx!  Hearing the people sheering, the DJ commenting each position of the Year's hottest singles.  Totally worth the listen.  The sound isn't perfect but that's a great vintage treasure.
Live at Traxx 1982 New Year's Eve countdown


1983
The Go-Go's performs "We Got The Beat", "Vacation" and "This Old Feeling" at Dick Clark's show.  The clothes!  The hair!  The way they dance! Totally awesome!

1984
The first New Year's Eve of Z-100 Radio caught on tape!!!  Only 9 minutes and you will here blanks because that's what an old cassette can do! : )))

1985
Metallica - Exodus - Metal Church and Anthrax. All together for 1985's New year's Eve in San Francisco.

1986
It's New Year's Eve at Coronation Street

1987
MTV New Year's Eve with the Beastie Boys

1988
Belinda Carlisle performing her upcoming single "I Get Weak" on MTV's New Year's Eve concert back in 1988.

Grateful Dead New Year's Eve concert poster


1989
Big hair, big shoulder pads.  And at New Year's Eve it's even bigger!  Vixen performs at MTV New Year's Eve.




Happy Birthday Ana!


 

 
I discovered Mecano with their French version of "Mujer Contra Mujer" (Une femme avec une femme), a beautiful sensitive song about a lesbian love.  Then "Hijo de la luna", I still remember the videoclip with Ana sitting on a chair with her stylish short black hair.  The spanish version of "Mujer Contra Mujer" reached the first position on charts in 9 countries!   But my absolute favorite, a song I love SO much and will never get bored is 1983 "Barco a Venus".
Feliz cumpleaños Ana!

- MissEighties

vendredi 27 décembre 2013

Happy Birthday HARIS!


 
When I was working in the Worldmusic (and Jazz) section of a renowned music store in Montreal during the 90s, I discovered all the flavors the world can give musically.  Among my favorites was Greek singer Haris Alexiou. I bought her 1995 CD "Odos Nefelis '88" in a blink and I still keep it preciously in my collection.  

Today December 27th is her birthday and I asked myself, how many albums has she recorded?  

30 studio albums!!!

Being an 80s nostalgic, how did her album sounds during this decade? 

Well, the voice is as beautiful, truly.  The sound isn't quite the same from album to album.  Sometimes more traditional, sometimes more contemporary.

If you like Worldmusic, chances are you know her because she is one the most popular singer in Greece.  If you don't, I strongly suggest you have a listen on a streaming website (Rdio, Pandora, Deezer) and you might end up with a new album in your collection.

I still have a lot to listen and discover from her but from what I've heard I can definitly say that I really like her 1982 "I Zoi Mou Kiklous Kani" album.  I need to buy this one, very soon!

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you HARIS!

-MissEighties

jeudi 26 décembre 2013

TEENA MARIE - Already 3 years today


 
 
Today it’s been 3 years since Teena Marie died of the consequences of a stupid accident in a hotel room back in 2004.  I’m a big fan of her  1984 hit “Lovergirl”.  I didn’t had the chance (or occasion) to buy one of her album back then.  I discovered much later that her legacy and discography is bigger than I thought and bigger than a lot of people might think….I think.  She almost did one album per year in the 80s decade!  I hope this post can give you the curiosity to go discover and listen to her music.  This one’s for her and for her fans.  #RIP Ivory Queen Of Soul