The return of the classic “Demonstration Tapes” double LP on vinyl from the one and only Dolly Mixture. Originally self released in 1984 – this 27 track set collects the band’s demos from 1979 to 1983 of perfectly executed pop, indie pop and ’60s girl group gems. The sound is raw but the charm and pure-pop songcraft manages to shine through. Dolly Mixture should have been massive – so just sit back and enjoy these charming songs that have aged like a fine wine.
The double album called the “Demonstration Tapes” originally released on their own Dead Good Dolly Platters label. The album sported a plain white cover and each copy was numbered and autographed by the group members. One thousand copies were pressed. The album featured 27 demo tracks which covered a large part of the band’s repertoire.
The same year saw a release of the “Remember This” single, again on Dead Good Dolly Platters label. The B-side was a piece entitled “Listening Pleasure/Borinda’s Lament”, which included dialogue (à la Home Service British Force’s Radio DJ), a half-finished song and an instrumental chamber piece with Wykes on piano and Bor on cello.
Dolly Mixture were formed in 1978 by the bassist and vocalist Debsey Wykes, guitarist and vocalist Rachel Bor, and drummer Hester Smith, three school friends who shared a fondness for the Shangri-Las and the Undertones. They became friends with The Damned Captain Sensible and recorded backing vocals on his singles and albums. After Sensible had a hit with “Happy Talk” in 1982 (featuring Dolly Mixture, credited as “Dolly Mixtures” on the single.
Rejoice Indie poppers, punks and pop kids – Sealed Records in conjunction with the band and BBC release all 14 tracks Dolly Mixture recorded for the BBC. You no longer have to listen to bad YouTube uploads… Here are all the tracks remastered from original sources, and as an added treat featuring John Peel introducing them and three jingles the band recorded for Kid Jensen.
The first session was recorded for John Peel in August 1979 and features the unreleased ‘Dolly Mixture Theme Song’ which the band used to start gigs with and a super strong cover of Goffin and King’s ‘The Locomotion’. Four already Dolly Mixture classics from the time were also recorded including ‘Dream Come True’, ‘He’s So Frisky’, ‘New Look Baby’ and ‘Ernie Ball’.
You can hear the excitement and joy and the sounds are so well recorded at Maida Vale Studios with top notch studio equipment and production. The next session from September 82 was recorded for Kid Jensen and shows a slightly more mature band, but the tracks are just as instant and lovable. These tracks have a more 60’s girl group sound but with more energy. Most people will know the tracks from the “Demonstration Tapes” album but these versions are better recorded and show the band moving forward.The last session from October 1983 was for Kid Jensen and again shows a band evolving but still with tunes that over forty years later are still loved and adored.
All in all 14 perfectly rounded pop nuggets wrapped in a beautifully designed sleeve and poster by Paul Kelly.
The Fat Angel Sings 