Mark Smotroff
LightNews LightNews
banner
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Mark Smotroff
@marksmotroff.bsky.social
1.4K followers 66 following 4.2K posts
Mostly music including my reviews on Analog Planet and eCoustics.
Music is love...
Posts Replies Media Videos
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Its rainy here in NorCal so a little son-shine is in order. 🌞 My review about this fairly-priced, Optimal-pressed reissue of #DizzyGillespie's 1959 Verve Records LP w/ #SonnyRollins & #SonnyStitt is on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky #music #jazz
www.ecoustics.com/music/sonny-...
Its rainy here in NorCal so a little son-shine is in order. 🌞 My review about this fairly-priced, Optimal-pressed reissue of #DizzyGillespie's 1959 Verve Records LP w/ #SonnyRollins & #SonnyStitt is on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky #music #jazz https://www.ecoustics.com/music/sonny-side-up/
November 16, 2025 at 12:27 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
It's hard to not fall in love with a market that stocks #tamale cooking pots and even has a full stocked tamale bar! #food
It's hard to not fall in love with a market that stocks tamale cooking pots and even has a full stocked tamale bar!
November 15, 2025 at 6:32 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Boppin' into the weekend with a sweet 1959 #DizzyGillespie LP featuring 2 Sonnys and 2 Bryants. This doesn't show up often & clean originals are scarce. My review of this fair priced Optimal-pressed reissue is on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzdky

www.ecoustics.com/music/sonny-...
Boppin' into the weekend with a sweet reissue of a 1959 Dizzy Gillespie LP featuring 2 Sonnys and 2 Bryants on board. This album doesn't show up often & clean originals are scarce. My review of this fair priced Optimal-pressed new edition is on eCoustics (dot com).
November 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Road Tunes... #musicsky #jazzsky
Road Tunes...
November 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
My review of the new #GuidedByVoices album "Thick Rich and Delicious," is now on eCoustics (dot com). It is!

#musicsky #music

www.ecoustics.com/music/thick-...
My review of the new Guided By Voices album "Thick Rich and Delicious," is now on eCoustics (dot com). It is! https://www.ecoustics.com/music/thick-rich-delicious/
November 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
The new #GuidedByVoices album is another great one so I'm spinning it again for the 4th or 5th time since buying it last week. My review is now on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #music
The new Guided By Voices album is another great one so I'm spinning it again for the 4th or 5th time since buying it last week. My review is now on eCoustics (dot com).
November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Winding down with a wonderful Buddy Emmons #pedalsteel guitar album I scored at the flea market a month or so back. From 1969, its real good start to finish. Especially like the opening track "Witches Brew" which gets some overdrive distorted soloing going at points. #musicsky #music
Been immersed in an intense writing day so haven't had time to post. Winding down with a wonderful Buddy Emmons pedal steel guitar album I scored at the flea market a month or so back. From 1969, its real good start to finish. Especially like the opening track "Witches Brew" which gets some overdrive distorted soloing going at points.
November 14, 2025 at 5:49 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Belated happy birthday greetings to XTC's Andy Partridge! This is the uncommon (in the US) 12-inch single from their brilliant psychedelic alter-ego band The Dukes Of Stratosphear. #musicsky #music #xtc
Belated happy birthday greetings to XTC's Andy Partridge! This is the uncommon (in the US) 12-inch single from XTC's brilliant psychedelic alter-ego band The Dukes Of Stratosphear. Just now removed the shrink wrap off this sleeve as it was sticking to cover. It had been put on too tightly in the first place causing wrinkling. Hopefully it will flatten out over time now that its out of its plastic prison.
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Honestly, the last thing I really need right now is another 45 RPM single but how could I leave behind this (beautiful condition vinyl) promo of The Move's classic baroque psychedelic pop single "Blackberry Way"? Cont'd

#musicsky #music #roywood #themove #elo
Honestly, the last thing I really need right now is another 45 RPM single but how could I leave behind this (beautiful condition vinyl) promo of The Move's classic baroque psychedelic pop single "Blackberry Way"? Found at Grooves Records (here in San Grancisco) yesterday when I was having fun chatting with a young (i suspect newish) employee there who I'd not met before. He was playing (and grooving on) ELO's A New World Record. He was just getting into them and loved that album. If you know this shop, that is probably the last thing you'd typically expect to hear being played there so it was refreshing. I of course launched into enthusiastic preaching about the glories of The Move and The Idle Race, even pulling out records from around the store for him to check out. Along the way I found this so it had to come home. I assumed this single was a reissue from around the time of A&M's "The Best Of The Move" 2LP compilation but Discogs pegs this as a 1968 issue. Also found a promo of Wizzard's "See My Baby Jive" which it turns out I already had (sigh).
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
A fair approximation of what I imagine I look like these days trying to sort through hundreds of 45s & incorporate loads of new albums into the collection. A slow process of review/comparison, ultimately deciding what gets purged. The struggle is real. Tho' I'd never use a hammer... #musicsky #music
This is a pretty fair approximation of what I imagine I look like these days as I am trying to sort through hundreds of 45s as well as incorporate loads of new albums into the collection (a slow process of review, comparison, and ultimately deciding what gets purged. The struggle is real. Tho' I'd never use a hammer...
November 12, 2025 at 6:37 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
This is making the rounds...spot on...
This is making the rounds...spot on...
November 12, 2025 at 1:52 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
And then I completed the run of original Big Joe Turner LPs on Atlantic Records. Found this 1957 album in the bins at Amoeba for a tenner, which in this condition is a great deal. #musicsky #music #jumpswing #rockandroll
And then I completed the run of original Big Joe Turner LPs on Atlantic Records. Found this 1957 album in the bins at Amoeba for a tenner, which in this condition is a great deal.
November 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
My review of two new vinyl reissues of 1990s hits by The #Cranberries and #Superdrag is on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #music

www.ecoustics.com/music/cranbe...
My review of two new vinyl reissues of 1990s hits by The Cranberries and Superdrag is on ecoustics.com. https://www.ecoustics.com/music/cranberries-superdrag/
November 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Giving another spin to the new 30th anniversary reissue of The #Cranberries' megahit No Need To Argue (with its hit single "Zombie."). My review is on eCoustics (dot com) along with a new #Superdrag reissue. #musicsky #music

www.ecoustics.com/music/cranbe...
Giving another spin to the new 30th anniversary reissue of The Cranberries' megahit No Need To Argue (with its hit single "Zombie."). My review is on eCoustics (dot com) along with a new Superdrag reissue. https://www.ecoustics.com/music/cranberries-superdrag/#
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
My listening report on the new "straight from the vault" series archival reissue of Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic 1963 debut from Verve Records/UMe is on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #music #jazzsky #jazz #brazilianjazz #bossanova #jobim
www.ecoustics.com/music/compos...
My listening report on the new "straight from the vault" series archival reissue of Jobim's classic 1963 debut from Verve Records/UMe is on eCoustics (dot com). https://www.ecoustics.com/music/composer-desafinado-plays/
November 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Tip-toeing into Monday with Judee Sill's 1971 debut. Another gift from one of the my vinyl angels (again, thank u!). The cover is well loved but the vinyl very clean.. and.. it included her 2nd LP inside (no sign of that cover in the box). Cont'd #musicsky #music #JudeeSill
Tip-toeing into Monday with Judee Sill's 1971 debut. Another gift from one of the my vinyl angels (again, thank u!). The cover is well loved but the vinyl very clean.. and.. it included her 2nd LP inside (no sign of that cover in the box). I'd never heard of Sill as a kid growing up in the '70s, but like Karen Dalton and Nick Drake, she's become post-humously popular in recent years. This was Asylum Records' 1st release.
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Wishing you all a great week ahead… (unretouched pic taken at 6:30 a.m.) #sunrise #sanfrancisco #oakland #MtDiablo
Wishing you all a great week ahead… (unretouched pic taken at 6:30 a.m.)
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
1st spin, fab upgrade copy of Ann Peebles' 1974 soul classic, "I Can't Stand The Rain." Another gem gifted by one of my vinyl angels (!). I've never seen this on a striped Hi/London label before. I thought London put that label design to bed in the late '60s. #musicsky #music #soul
Sunday night vibe, first spin of a fabulous upgrade copy of Ann Peebles' 1974 soul classic, "I Can't Stand The Rain." Another gem gifted by one of my vinyl angels a couple weeks back (Thank U again!). I've never seen this on a striped Hi/London label before. I thought London put that label design to bed in the late '60s....
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Fun cardboard flexi discs from the flea market for pennies this a.m. From a flexi magazine called Echo (just four issues 1959-60). They featured the 1953-54 Norman Granz' Astaire Story series pairing the dance legend w/ Oscar Peterson & JATP pros. Non essential but cool to have. #musicsky #jazzsky
Fun cardboard flexi discs found at the flea market for pocket change this morning, turns out these were from a flexi mazazine called Echo which ran for four issues in 1959-60. Curiously they featured the 1953-54 Fred Astaire Story series from Norman Granz which paired the dance legend with Oscar Peterson and luminaries from that period on Mercury and Clef Records. Non essential but cool to have.
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Recharging with Gil Evans' homage to #Hendrix. I have a regular copy but couldn't leave a Quad behind in the bargyn bin. Haven't compared yet, so not sure if mixes any different. Fun album, some great players here. Works much better than you might think. #musicsky #jazzsky #jazz #music
Recharging with Gil Evans' homage to Hendrix. I have a regular copy but couldn't leave a Quad behind in the bargyn bin. Haven't compared yet, so not sure if mixes any different. Fun album, some great players here. Works much better than you might think.
November 9, 2025 at 2:14 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Two mid-1960s big band jazz classics have been repackaged into a tasty 2LP set, The Giants Of Jazz: Frank Sinatra, with Count Basie & Duke Ellington. My review is on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky

www.ecoustics.com/music/giants...
Two mid-1960s big band jazz classics have been repackaged into a tasty 2LP set, The Giants Of Jazz: Frank Sinatra, with Count Basie & Duke Ellington. My review is on eCoustics (dot com). https://www.ecoustics.com/music/giants-jazz-2lp/
November 7, 2025 at 9:14 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
First spin of a brilliant UK comp of 1966-72 singles from Louisiana's Lanor Records, tracks by Willie Mallory, Hugh Boynton, Phil Phillips and Ella Brown. Big love for the label design too (I'm a fan of Krazy Kat!). Another gift from one of my vinyl angels, a keeper. #musicsky #soulmusic #music
First spin of a brilliant UK comp of 1966-72 singles from Louisiana's Lanor Records, tracks by Willie Mallory, Hugh Boynton, Phil Phillips and Ella Brown. Big love for the label design too (I'm a fan of Krazy Kat!). Another gift from one of my vinyl angels (thank u again!), this is a sure keeper.
November 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Spinning "The Giants Of Jazz" : Frank Sinatra, with Count Basie & Duke Ellington. New reissue/repackaging of two mid-1960s big band jazz classics into a tasty 2LP set. My review on eCoustics (dot com). #musicsky #jazzsky #music #jazz
Spinning "The Giants Of Jazz" : Frank Sinatra, with Count Basie & Duke Ellington. New reissue/repackaging of two mid-1960s big band jazz classics into a tasty 2LP set. My review on eCoustics (dot com).
November 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Friends sometimes don't believe me when I tell them that the orange beastie was loathed back in the days before that TV show whitewashed him into some sort of business guru. Even R. Crumb was taking him down back then!
Friends sometimes don't believe me when I tell them that the orange beastie was loathed back in the days before that TV show whitewashed him into some sort of business guru. Even R. Crumb was taking him down back then!
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 AM
marksmotroff.bsky.social
Grabbed this nifty 1981 pop sampler at a local thrift last week for the cover alone. Turns out its from Iceland! How did that get out to San Francisco? Includes one of my favorite early synth pop singles, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin's cover of "It's My Party." #musicsky #music
Grabbed this nifty 1981 pop sampler at a local thrift last week for the cover alone. Turns out its from Iceland! How did that get out to San Francisco? Interesting track list too (Debby Harry, Bad Manners, Madness, Tenpole Tudor, Icehouse, Simpleminds, etc. Best of all it includes one of my favorite early synth pop singles, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin's cover of "It's My Party." But that cover....
November 7, 2025 at 3:59 AM