High Bias: The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape by Marc Masters is an absolute pleasure to read, both for the history and, if you're my age, the nostalgia.

In the mid-70s I joined the Navy and spent a fair part of my money on audio equipment. From a nice component system including reel-to-reel and phonograph, I quickly became enamored with cassettes. I would record my albums on cassettes both to play in my car and to preserve my albums. Then there was the almost constant enjoyment of creating mixed tapes for both myself and for others, finding themes and making connections. While I did progress into CDs like most people, I never left cassettes behind and had well over a thousand until Katrina washed them all out.

Masters gives a history that highlights the experiences many of us had as well as the role they played in helping small bands and artists find their way more economically and with more creative freedom. Another book I am reading has to do with a record label that promoted Americana music, often with little to no profit. This reminded me of the festivals and shows I would attend and record on cassette. Partly because I tended not to buy those records (I gravitated toward rock, blues, jazz, and R&B) but I loved the Americana (I'm thinking mostly bluegrass) music in a live venue, so my cassettes gave me the best of both worlds.

While creating playlists in our current world is certainly similar, there just doesn't seem to be the same feeling as listening to every song as you record it, then giving a physical gift to someone. Now, I can just pick and choose the songs and create the playlist without listening (and without mixing the songs so they flow), which is quicker and easier, but, for me, a lot less satisfying.

I would recommend this to music scholars and music history buffs, but especially to those who remember recording tapes, no matter the source, and spending the time decorating the cassette inserts. This will be a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )