Mark Smotroff
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marksmotroff.bsky.social
Mark Smotroff
@marksmotroff.bsky.social
1.4K followers 66 following 4.4K posts
Mostly music including my reviews on Analog Planet and eCoustics.
Music is love...
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marksmotroff.bsky.social
Do The Bullseye: I was today years old when I learned that Rufus Thomas did a spot for Schlitz with a (seemingly) real bull! Note the pink boots (he wore white boots at Wattstax) #musicsky #music #stax #wattstax #funkychicken

youtu.be/WoWK5dW5c-8?...
Schlitz Malt Liquor Rufus Thomas 1974
YouTube video by cedric1958
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
The 2nd tasty treat I traded for at The Plastic Pancake is this 1963 #SolomonBurke LP. Technically his 3rd, but arguably his 1st that wasn't a compilation of singles. Could have sworn I this but seems I didn't.

Cont'd

#musicsky #music
The 2nd tasty treat I traded for at The Plastic Pancake is this 1963 Solomon Burke LP. Technically his 3rd, but arguably his 1st that wasn't a compilation of singles. Could have sworn I this but seems I didn't (if memory serves me now, the copy I had was so wrecked I couldn't play it, may still have the cover in storage). That said, this one is in remarkable shape, pretty much pristine all around. Sounds wonderful; didn't even have to wash it. Very happy to be close to completing my Solomon Burke collection (just need the first one on Apollo).
December 30, 2025 at 6:10 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
On Sunday I visited The Plastic Pancake & saw some tasty goodies I really wanted. Today I brought down discs to trade, scoring my treats. First up: an original first press mono copy of Charles Mingus' 1960 LP Blues & Roots. Cont'd #musicsky #jazzsky #music #jazz #mingus
On Sunday I visited The Plastic Pancake and saw some tasty goodies I really wanted. Today I brought down discs to trade, scoring my treats. First up: an original first press mono copy of Charles Mingus' 1960 LP Blues & Roots. I have a later stereo copy as well on the split blue-green label, but this "bullseye" label is super groovy so I'm pleased. Sounds great!
December 30, 2025 at 5:57 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Hozan Yamamoto Meets Nobuo Hara's Sharps And Flats. 25c at a Monday estate sale nearby, I had to chance this 1969 Japanese LP. Odd big band pop hits with breathy Bamboo flute. You haven't heard "Hey Jude" like this. Intriguing cover art... On YT, for the adventurous. #musicsky #jazzsky #music #jazz
For a quarter at a Monday morning estate sale nearby this morning, I had to chance it on this 1969 Japanese import. Very odd: beautifully produced big band jazz arrangements of pop hits of the day with in-your-face lead soloing by a very breathy Bamboo Flautist. You haven't lived until you've heard "Hey Jude" like this. The cover art intrigues... Its on YT for those feeling adventurous. Now Playing: Hozan Yamamoto Meets Nobuo Hara's Sharps And Flats – New Dimension Of Bamboo Flute
December 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Purge Target - I've owned Sandy Hurvitz' debut LP for decades and every time I play it am reminded how forgettable it is. Its like Laura Nyro without the songs and theaticality.. Joni Mitchell without the melodies and invention... cont'd #musicsky #music #jazzsky #jazz #zappa
Purge Target - I've owned Sandy Hurvitz' debut LP for decades and every time I play it am reminded how forgettable it is. Its like Laura Nyro without the songs and theaticality.. Joni Mitchell without the melodies and invention... The main reason I had it in the first place was the tie to Zappa. Its produced by then Mother of Invention Ian Underwood. Backing band on some tracks is Jeremy & The Satyrs (ie. Jeremy Stieg, Eddie Gomez, etc.). I never connected with her Essra Mohawk recordings either. Sorry. A curious aside: The wiki says that Vanilla Fudge's "The Spell That Comes After" was written by her but it is credited to Zappa artist (and cover designer here) Cal Schenkel. Curious.
December 29, 2025 at 8:11 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Between multiple editions I own & prepping for 2 different reviews, I've played Vince Guaraldi's timeless "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at least 15 times this month. The Mt. Fuji version is Analogue Productions new UHQR 200g 45 RPM 2LP set (shown). Review on Analog Planet (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky
Between multiple editions I own & prepping for 2 different reviews, I've played Vince Guaraldi's timeless "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at least 15 times this month. The Mt. Fuji version is Analogue Productions new UHQR 200g 45 RPM 2LP set (shown). Review on Analog Planet (dot com).
December 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
My 2025 winds up on a musically heartwarming note as I've been fortunate to review 2 new editions of Vince Guaraldi's timeless A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. The latest is arguably the Mt. Fuji of all versions... (cont'd)
#musicsky #jazzsky #jazz #music

www.analogplanet.com/content/200g...
My 2025 winds up on a musically heartwarming note as I've been fortunate to review two new editions of Vince Guaraldi's timeless soundtrack to the A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special. The latest is arguably the Mt. Fuji of all versions: an audiophile UHQR 45 RPM, 200-gram, 2LP set from Analogue Productions, a fascinating and fantastic sounding all analog restoration from deeply archived, long unused original tape elements. My listening report explores this on Analog Planet (dot com). https://www.analogplanet.com/content/200g-45rpm-2lp-uhqr-edition-vince-guaraldi%E2%80%99s-charlie-brown-christmas-absolute-joy-spin-any
December 27, 2025 at 2:33 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Trying to summarize the Best of 2025 music from one vantage point is always a challenge.... but we try! Heck, one title I didn't receive until after these were written (review to come soon!). Links to 3 music round ups on eCoustics & Analog Planet are in comments below. #musicsky #jazzsky
Trying to summarize the Best of 2025 music from one vantage point is always a challenge as inevitably we miss some things due to space concerns or simply release timing (I know at least one title not on my lists simply because I didn't receive a review sample until well after these had been written -- review to come soon!) None the less, here are three (count 'em 3!) year end round ups from my listening sweet spot. On Analog Planet, my editor Mike Mettler and I share our favorite archival and new music vinyl choices (a two part series) New Vinyl https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogplanet%E2%80%99s-top-new-lps-2025 Archival Vinyl https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogplanet%E2%80%99s-top-archival-lps-2025 At eCoustics I offer a "Baker's Dozen" of favorite vinyl and Blu-ray Disc picks. https://www.ecoustics.com/music/best-music-releases-2025/ Hope you find some new music you might have overlooked along the way this year. Happy Holidays! Mark
December 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Well , that was quick! Also the first time I received this notification-badge.

Wordle 1,651 2/6

⬛🟩⬛⬛🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
December 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Merry Happy! For those not in the know, this is Paul Revere & The Raiders "A Christmas Present...And Past" from 1967. Showing the back side with the promo sticker on it. #musicsky #music #xmasmusic #christmasmusic
Merry Happy! For those not in the know, this is Paul Revere & The Raiders "A Christmas Present...And Past" from 1967. Showing the back side with the promo sticker on it.
December 26, 2025 at 5:45 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Just Say No To Fake Santas. Real Beard Required - Kind of shocked to read this statistic in a story about the state of the #Santa business, which implies that fake Santas with fake beards were getting jobs... Cont'd. #NoFakeSantas #SantaClaus #XmasNews
www.cbsnews.com/news/christm...
Just Say No To Fake Santas. Real Beard Required - Kind of shocked to read this statistic in a story about the state of the Santa business, which indicates that fake Santas with fake beards were getting jobs at all: "Roughly 70% of listings for store Santas this year require a real beard, according to the firm, up from only 14% three years ago." At least wages are up for genuine Santa candidates these days who I know but a lot of effort into their look. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christmas-holidays-2025-santa-claus/
December 25, 2025 at 9:55 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
We found the tree of life last week in downtown Watsonville, California. Happy holidays! #christmas #newyear #treeoflife
We found the tree of life last week in downtown Watsonville, California. Happy holidays!
December 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Kitchen music for holiday baking… Now playing the super deluxe edition, four CD plus Blu-ray set of Vince Guaraldi's a Charlie Brown Christmas. We're especially enjoying all the outtakes this morning.... #musicsky #music #jazzsky #jazz
Kitchen music for holiday baking… Now playing the super deluxe edition, four CD plus Blu-ray set of Vince Guaraldi's a Charlie Brown Christmas. We're especially enjoying all the outtakes this morning....
December 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Yay! Somebody reposted one of my all-time favorite obscure #Christmas #holidaysongs, which you must hear to believe… This was only released on CD single back in the 90's & not streaming. The Wonderful World Of Joey's "What Sweet Child O' Mine Is This" #musicsky #music

youtu.be/JZeEpiOmt2g
So very excited that somebody has reposted one of my all-time favorite obscure holiday songs, which you must listen to to believe… This was only released on a CD single back in the 90s… And for some reason seemingly was wiped from the Internet. Enjoy: The Wonderful World Of Joey's "What Sweet Child O' Mine Is This" https://youtu.be/JZeEpiOmt2g
December 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
This is the MTV moment when I got introduced to the music of Lou Barlow & #Sebadoh. Soon after I heard their Bubble & Scrape album being played at a store -- "Soul & Fire " knocked me out -- and bought it on the spot.
#musicsky #music

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Rp...
120 Revisited on Instagram: "The Great American Indie Label Tournament 🇺🇸 - WINNER: SUB POP 🏆 - (53% of the vote) With over 10,000 total votes cast, over 5 weeks, our winner is the launching pad for ...
Experience the raw energy of alternative music in the 90s with 'Magnet's Coil', a standout track from Sebadoh's critically acclaimed album 'Bakesale'. Join Bob Mould and Lou Barlow on stage as they de...
www.instagram.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
"Merry #Christmas, Happy New Year" - It would be a crime if I didn't play this album tonight... This is an early '80s reissue of Huey Piano Smith's 1962 #xmas album which I found sealed in 2022, reasonably priced. So great. I've never seen another copy anywhere, reissue or original. #musicsky #music
"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year" - It would be a crime if I didn't play this album tonight... This is an early '80s reissue of Huey Piano Smith's 1962 xmas album which I found sealed in 2022 and got for a reasonable price. Glad I opened it. So great. And I've never come across another copy of this anywhere, reissue or original. Someday...
December 23, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Reposted by Mark Smotroff
muellershewrote.com
WOW. Trump's approval rating is now 36%. And I don't remember ever seeing him underwater with white people.
December 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Reposted by Mark Smotroff
adamkinzinger.substack.com
If refusing to comment is enough to kill a story, then the government now has veto power over journalism.
That’s what CBS normalized last night — and it should scare everyone.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
CBS Pulled a “60 Minutes” Story Because the White House Refused to Comment — That’s a Veto on Journalism
Pulling a finished investigation because the administration refused to comment isn’t journalism. It’s submission.
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Enjoying this terrific compilation of early '50s sides by Memphis Slim recorded for the Premium Records label, reissued in 1961 by Chess Records. 1of3 #musicsky #jazzsky #blues #music
Enjoying this terrific compilation of early '50s sides by Memphis Slim recorded for the Premium Records label, reissued in 1961 by Chess Records. This is a decent sounding but ultimately shoddy late '70s, fake stereo reissue. Still, I'm thrilled to have it (thanks again vinyl angel who gifted it to me last week!) I really need to find a mono original with the full color cover. This looks like a sloppy photocopy, something which the label owners at that time tragically did for many reissues 'round this time.
December 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Need a fun last minute gift for the #jazz / #vinyl enthusiast on your list? The new & surprisingly good sounding animated picture disc of Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack may be ideal. Review at ecoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky #music

www.ecoustics.com/music/charli...
Need a fun last minute gift for the jazz / vinyl enthusiast on your list? Craft Recordings' new and surprisingly good sounding animated zoetrope picture disc edition of Vince Guaraldi's timeless "A Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack may be the ideal choice. Review at ecoustics (dot com) https://www.ecoustics.com/music/charlie-brown-christmas-zoetrope/
December 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Easing in to a murky pre-holiday Monday with #VinceGuaraldi's classic "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack. This is the surprisingly decent sounding new animated zoetrope picture disc edition which I reviewed on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky #music #jazz

www.ecoustics.com/music/charli...
Easing in to a murky pre-Christmas Monday with Vince Guaraldi's classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack. This is the surprisingly decent sounding new animated zoetrope picture disc edition which I reviewed on eCoustics (dot com). https://www.ecoustics.com/music/charlie-brown-christmas-zoetrope/
December 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
An all time favorite holiday album… Someday I will find the extremely rare (I think it is a ) 16 track version… But even this 12 track one is a lot of fun and the cover is just perfect.. #musicsky #music #xmasmusic #christmasmusic #christmas #xmas
An all time favorite holiday album… Someday I will find the extremely rare (I think it is a ) 16 track version… But even this 12 track one is a lot of fun and the cover is just perfect..
December 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Good morning... #musicsky #music #jazzsky #jazz #blues #christmasmusic #xmasmusic #charlesbrown
Good morning...
December 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
One side benefit of playing this #CaptainKangaroo holiday record is learning that Mr. Green Jeans' aliases include Lumpy Brannum &Uncle Lumpy. Turns out he had an early TV show called "Uncle Lumpy's Cabin" in NY around 1951. And no, Mr. Green Jeans was not related to Frank #Zappa. #musicdky #music
One side benefit of playing this Captain Kangaroo holiday record is learning that Mr. Green Jeans' aliases include Lumpy Brannum and Uncle Lumpy. Turns out he had an early TV show of his own called "Uncle Lumpy's Cabin" which aired in NY around 1951. And no, Mr. Green Jeans was not related to Frank Zappa.
December 21, 2025 at 6:09 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Stormy weather and turbulent times be damned, I'm gonna keep playing some of my favorite holiday records! This is the 1956 expanded reboot of Ferrante & Teicher's 1954 debut, Xmas HI-FIvories -- as Adventures in Carols. Cont'd #musicsky #music #xmasmusic #christmasmusic
Stormy weather and turbulent times be damned, I'm gonna keep playing some of my favorite holiday records! This is the 1956 expanded reboot of Ferrante & Teicher's 1954 debut, Xmas HI-FIvories -- as Adventures in Carols. For those not in the know, this is early F&T when they were pioneering experimenters in sound, exploring concepts such as "prepared piano" and such. Far from the EZ listening fluff of their later years, these early F&T albums are fascinating listens. Thus the tagline "The Sound Of Tomorrow - Today" on the cover. BTW, this cover design is brilliant.
December 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM