Mark Smotroff

Album Reviews
Louis Armstrong’s Live 1968 BBC TV Performance Is Restored and Updated for a Stunning New 180g Verve LP, Louis in London
Mark Smotroff  |  Jul 26, 2024  |  0 comments

In the world of popular music, few names are as iconic as Louis Armstrong. His influence is undeniable as one of the founding fathers of jazz, and while there is no shortage of posthumous releases issued since Armstrong’s passing at age 69 in 1971, that wealth of music can also make the process of discovery daunting for new listeners trying to figure out where to begin — or where longtime fans can continue. Read Mark Smotroff’s review of the newly released 180g 1LP Louis in London set on Verve to see why this live performance he did for BBC TV in 1968 is a great place to start and/or resume. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Songwriter, a New Johnny Cash 180g LP Comprised of 11 Newly Found Songs, Honors the Legendary Artist’s Intent Thanks to Family-Directed Production
Mark Smotroff  |  Jul 19, 2024  |  2 comments

The prospect of a new Johnny Cash album in 2024 is both daunting and exciting, especially when the album has been created posthumously from unreleased demos. Fortunately, the new 180g 1LP set simply dubbed Songwriter suffers none of the issues that often plague releases of this nature, due in no smart part to having been produced by the late, great artist’s son, John Carter Cash. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see just how Songwriter honors the indelible Johnny Cash legacy. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Dwight Yoakam’s 4LP RSD 2024 Box Set Updates His Three Key 1980s Country Releases, Along With a Bonus LP of Demos and Rarities That Make Their Official Vinyl Debuts
Mark Smotroff  |  Jul 11, 2024  |  4 comments

Dwight Yoakam burst on the music scene in the mid-1980s with a refreshing blend of vintage ‘50s/’60s-inspired, truckstop-worthy, country-fried, rockabilly-infused honky-tonkin’ twang and bright, modern sensibilities that captivated new and old audiences alike. On Record Store Day 2024 back on April 20, Reprise/Rhino/Via issued a limited edition (3,500 copies) 4LP box set dubbed The Beginning and Then Some: The Albums of the ’80s to celebrate Yoakam’s fruitful career beginnings. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why this reasonably priced box set is worth pickin’ up and spinnin’. . .

Continue Reading >
AAA VinylAlbum Reviews
John Lee Hooker Conjures Acoustic Fire on AAA Acoustic Sounds-Curated 60th Anniversary 180g 1LP Reissue of Burning Hell Via Craft Recordings
Mark Smotroff  |  Jun 28, 2024  |  7 comments

Original pressings of it from 1964 are scarce, as it was initially issued primarily in the UK. What’s a vinyl-loving fan of acoustic blues on a budget to do? Fortunately, Craft Recordings has come to the rescue, seeing fit to reissue John Lee Hooker’s legendary 1964 Riverside Records LP, Burning Hell as part of their new Bluesville series. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this AAA edition of Burning Hell should be fired up or your turntable sooner than later. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Grateful Dead’s Long-Underrated 1974 LP From The Mars Hotel Is Now Occupied With Vibrant, Fuller Sounds on Its Newly Remastered 180g 1LP 50th Anniversary Edition
Mark Smotroff  |  Jun 21, 2024  |  6 comments

Grateful Dead’s self-released June 1974 LP From The Mars Hotel often polarizes fans, with some considering it an all-time classic while others (sadly) overlook it. We here at AP feel Mars Hotel warrants reconsideration as an ultimate equal in the now-classic trilogy of “indie” Dead studio albums from the 1973-75 time period. Lucky for us, this underrated album has been officially reissued by the Dead and Rhino in newly remastered 180g 1LP form today, June 21, 2024. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why this new edition of From The Mars Hotel belongs in your collection. . .

Continue Reading >
Album ReviewsBeatles
First Official 180g 2LP Release of One Hand Clapping, the Well-Loved and Oft-Bootlegged 1974 Live-in-Studio Recordings by Paul McCartney & Wings, Deserves Much Applause
Mark Smotroff  |  Jun 14, 2024  |  5 comments

It’s been heavily bootlegged over the years, and yet Paul McCartney & Wings’ One Hand Clapping is still something of a holy grail among fans. These 1974 live-in-the-studio recordings find the group firing on all cylinders — and then some. Finally, this vital Macca music has been officially released today, June 14, 2024, by MPL/Capitol/UMe as both a 180g 2LP set and a web-exclusive edition that also includes a bonus six-track 45. Read on to see why Mark Smotroff feels One Hand Clapping offers some of the most rocking Macca & Wings music on vinyl to date. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Indie-Rock Icons The dB’s Oversee a Quite Welcome and Long-Overdue First-Time U.S. Vinyl Release of Their Highly Influential 1981 Debut LP, Stands For deciBels
Mark Smotroff  |  Jun 07, 2024  |  5 comments

The acclaimed hybrid North Carolina/New York four-piece band The dB’s were on the leading edge of the gradually growing indie-rock movement as the calendar turned to the 1980s. Today, we are celebrating the first-ever U.S. vinyl edition of their highly influential January 1981 debut LP, Stands for deciBels, which is set for release by Propeller Sound Recordings next Friday, June 14. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why Stands for deciBels continues to stand tall as an influence on much of the music we listen to on vinyl today, and why this new domestic LP version belongs in your collection. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Pianist and Composer Vijay Iyer and His Trio Deliver Emotive Sonic Riches and Much Aural Beauty on Their New 180g 2LP ECM Records Set, Compassion
Mark Smotroff  |  May 31, 2024  |  1 comments

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer is someone who should have been on our analog radar much, much sooner, so we’re beyond pleased that we’re now able to marvel at his and his trio’s true artistry on their new 180g 2LP release on ECM Records, Compassion. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Iyer and Compassion should be added to your must-listen list. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Tom Verlaine’s Retrospective 4LP RSD Box Set Souvenir From A Dream Collects the First, and Quite Worthwhile, Phase of His Post-Television Solo Career
Mark Smotroff  |  May 24, 2024  |  1 comments

A new 4LP box set compiling the initial four solo album releases by the late, great tastemaking guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine, titled Souvenir From a Dream: The Tom Verlaine Albums (1979-1984), celebrates the artist’s initial musical life beyond Television, his highly influential CBGB-era alt-punk band. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Souvenir is worth adding to your collection. . .

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Could T Bone Burnett’s New Solo Album, The Other Side, Be One of the Best Acoustic-Oriented LPs You’ll Spin This, Or Any Other, Year?
Mark Smotroff  |  May 17, 2024  |  6 comments

Joseph Henry Burnett III is not exactly a household name for most people these days, and that’s a shame. Under his T Bone Burnett sobriquet, he’s turned in a lifetime of work that has placed this legendary musician, composer, and producer in the crosshairs of the likes of Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Los Lobos, Robert Plant, and Alison Krauss (to name but a few). He’s also just released a new solo album, The Other Side, that’s one of the best LPs we’ve heard so far this year. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why both sides of The Other Side belong on your turntable. . .

Continue Reading >

Pages

X