Just last week I was writing about the so-called “tape revival” and pointing out that there was no good reason to pay $300 for a Duran Duran cassette player when cheaper options were readily available.
Proving the point, this week’s ALDI Christmas special buys include just not the usual assortment of dodgy vinyl but also a Walkman clone cassette player for the bargain price of $49.99. Obviously you’d want the red one.
What struck me was not the player but the fact it comes with “an assortment of 3 cassettes”. What are we actually getting here? Three lazily-titled compilations: Classic 60’s Number Ones, 70’s Disco and 80’s Hits.
ALDI doesn’t give track listings, but with a little digging into the archives it’s possible to surface these. Here’s what’s on offer.
Classic 60’s Number Ones
- A1. It’s Now Or Never, Elvis Presley
- A2. Cathy’s Clown, The Everly Brothers
- A3. Wonderful Land, The Shadows
- A4. Shakin’ All Over, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
- A5. Blue Moon, The Marcels
- A6. Running Bear, Johnny Preston
- A7. The Young Ones, Cliff Richard
- A8. Moon River, Danny Williams
- B1. Only The Lonely, Roy Orbison
- B2. Runaway, Del Shannon
- B3. I Can’t Stop Loving You, Ray Charles
- B4. Telstar The Tornados
- B5. Johnny Remember Me, Johnny Leyton
- B6. Sailor, Petula Clarke
- B7. Walkin’ Back To Happiness, Helen Shapiro
- B8. Nut Rocker, B. Bumble & The Stingers
ALDI flogged the same title on vinyl back at Christmas 2023 and again in April 2024. These are original recordings, but none are from later than 1962, so it’s hardly representative.
70’s Disco
- A1. I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
- A2. Young Hearts Run Free, Candi Staton
- A3. Car Wash, Rose Royce
- A4. Love Machine, The Miracles
- A5. He’s The Greatest Dancer, Sister Sledge
- A6. Pick Up The Pieces, Average White Band
- B1. Rock Your Baby, George McCrae
- B2. Boogie Nights, Heatwave
- B3. Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Tavares
- B4. I Love The Nightlife, Alicia Bridges
- B5. Never Can Say Goodbye, Gloria Gaynor
- B6. Disco Inferno, The Trammps
The similarly titled Disco Fever, with a closely-matched track list, was sold at ALDI back in April 2023 and August 2023. The big problem? Many of these tracks follow the sneaky path of being re-recordings or concert performances, not the original. Nowhere near funky enough.
80’s Hits
- A1. I Think We’re Alone Now, Tiffany
- A2. The Look Of Love, ABC
- A3. Flashdance… What A Feeling, Irene Cara
- A4. Turning Japanese, The Vapors
- A5. Breakout, Swing Out Sister
- A6. Wouldn’t It Be Good, Nik Kershaw
- B1. Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Deniece Williams
- B2. Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes
- B3. Everytime You Go Away, Paul Young
- B4. Walking On Sunshine, Katrina & The Waves
- B5. China In Your Hand, T’Pau
- B6. Angel Of The Morning, Juice Newton
There’s also a question mark here for my favourite musical decade, as many of these acts have also re-recorded tracks which then pop up on strange CDs and records the world over. So I suspect many of these are not the originals. Good track selection though (go Nik!)
What is also cheap is that there are only 5 or 6 tracks a side. Unlike vinyl, putting fewer songs on is not going to give you alleged “better audio fidelity”. I reckon they’re just being stingy with the licensing fees and tape lengths.
If you’re in a retro mood, check out the Duran Duran cassette player rant and then remind yourself that Colette had more than one hit.
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