This is an old cassette (48 years!), please read my description below ...
Paul McCartney And Wings - Red Rose Speedway
Apple Records
Cat# TC PCTC-251
Australian release
1973 release of the 1972 original
SPECIAL NOTE: Although made by the illustrious EMI Australia, this being a 1973 release, I paid special attention to the clamshell, tape condition, head pad and rollers ... cassette tapes degrade over time and it is very very important to ascertain the overall condition of such old tapes, the details are below
Cassette packaging is in very good condition, this means the outer case is not cracked although it does have some light scuff/rubbing marks. The inner card sleeve is in very good condition but with signs of "foxing" - the process of paper degrading over time due to oxidisation and UV light. I have seen worse but it is noticeable (not bright white!)
This light grey cassette clam-shell is unfortunately a plastic welded type which means that if ever the user wishes to get "inside" the shell (for future lubrication, changing rollers etc) this would be an extremely difficult task, neigh impossible - in order to open the clamshell, it is often destroyed and it is best to leave it alone!
Before playing, I have repacked the tape, and at the same time listened for signs of lubrication failure (squeeking etc) - nothing heard. I then played both sides entirely - no issues with the shell or tape transport at all, no "drop outs", full audio highs & lows - nice playback on every track, even the piano didn't sound too bad! Playing something like a piano with the very pure tones it creates is a good "fly by" test of wow/flutter - I heard a little warble in some notes but nothing dramatic and I would consider it to be fine considering the limitations of cassette technology anyway.
Tape media is physically very good, with no crumpling or twists observed (or heard)
As is common with such old cassettes, YES the head pad had disappeared! Without this, the audio is terrible as it holds the tape against the head. I glued another (new) head pad onto the copper spring and all is good with the world.
TRACKS: Big Barn Red, Get On The Right Thing, One More Kiss, My Love, Little Lamb Dragonity, Single Pidgeon, When The Night, Loup (1st Indian On The Moon), MEDLEY: Hold Me Tight - Lazy Dynamite - Hands Of Love - Power Cut
