San Francisco Record Store Recap & Why I Left the City

San Francisco Article: www.sfchronicle.com/projects/...

[@brokewithaudiophiletaste6076]

I appreciated this series and your story. I lived in SF 1998-2006. Was 22 when I moved there from Iowa, never having been hardly anywhere in my life at that point. The place was magical and electric x1000 for me. I miss it a lot, but it's priced me out. I used to walk everywhere because I loved to soak in the beauty of the houses and landscape. Weekend trips to used book stores and record stores, local gis with various bands. Eventually I worked at Escape from New York Pizza on Haight. The only place I ever felt like I truly belonged, especially in the lower and upoer Haight. It now seems like such a brief time in my life, but it was almost all of my 20s, so very impressionable years. SF will always be an incredibly special place for me!

[@Vlekistan]

I lived there from 72 to 88

[@Matasky2010]

The redwood forests are magical, anyone that goes to SF and appreciates nature needs to experience them. Our honeymoon was spent driving up the Pacific coast highway from San Diego to Sonoma, SF was a major highlight.

[@recalcitrantimbroglio]

Another wonderful series on your travels! Always very enjoyable.Thanks!!

[@howardtranter9682]

Really, really enjoyed the videos of your SF trip. They were well made and your commentary was very entertaining. Thank you for sharing your trip and your stories. I look forward to the next one

[@jeffreylark705]

You’re making me nostalgic for my late 70’s life in San Francisco. Thanks, Mazzy.

[@mattyredrock]

Mazzy. GREAT series. I always love seeing your posts but this series just hits different. My wife and I lived there for almost 10 years back in the 90s. We had a great spot in the Noe Valley (Church/Day) for our entire time there. We're both native New Yorker's but SF will always be OUR place. Both of our boys were born there and proudly wear their native SF badge...as they should. Similarly, we moved for outside reasons, not so much financial like you but for more familial reasons. After 9/11 we were getting the guilt trip from our families about living on the other side of the country with our boys. So in the summer of 2002 we caved and moved back to NY (Eastern Long Island) but vowed to one day return too the Bay Area. Your series here really drives it home how much we miss living there. My long time favorite spot was Streetlight Records on 24th in Noe Valley. They had a great staff there and always a good selection. I know they're no longer there but I have great memories of spending hours flipping through the vinyl and CDs there. Love your passion for records. Keep the great posts coming. ☮

[@gavaxemanspins]

Another great video - and finally got the backstory on your move - thanks for sharing - as I’ve said before I loved my holiday in San Fran so I always enjoy your Road trip videos.

[@bigthundermountain]

Excellent video, maz! Tha ks for finally unboxing the mystery for us!

[@lgabdo]

Tks for sharing your life with us❤

[@williamcardina89]

Well alright. Now we know. Those of us in the Mazzy Universe can now rest easy. SF still looks great to me. I was there in September 2023 and in June 2022 after visiting Seattle.Saw Bob in Oakland.

[@kevinturchin]

Thank you for sharing your story about moving to Seattle. Sounds like it worked out well for you both.

[@recordfan]

This was an excellent series. You are a great storyteller and I love people who are passionate about cities AND records!

[@scottphillips1686]

Great comment. Completely agree!

[@Jeemo51]

Great trip, great videos and great stories. Thanks Mazzy and best wishes to you and Michelle, from Sheffield, UK

[@flossysmith7307]

Cracking video as always Mazzy. Your passion shines through when you talk about the things you love. It would be nice to see some more of your photographs(we share the love of photography and records) thanks for your honesty in this video and the smile you usually bring with your humour. All the best Mazzy. Floss.

[@AlterMann57]

Thanks for this video, Norman. You are such a wonderful man, and I love your eclectic tastes, I share them as well. Love you man.

[@vincentbernard7504]

Merci for this video Dear Mazzy ! I lived in SF and Bay Area for 4 years …and left my heart in SF !! Will never forget

[@sdmike1141]

Wow, it was a therapy session!! I feel better. Thanks!

[@Barry101er]

Great series. A great area to live in.

[@journstyx]

Thanks Norman. Back in the 80's and 90's I had the chance to frequently visit San Francisco and the greater area, because of my work in the record industry. Always loved the vibe of the city and its various neighborhoods. Thanks for taking us on an updated tour. Sadly I haven't been there for over 25 years. I'm sure things will have changed, but it's great to see those stores. Best regards, from The Netherlands

[@roberthurley1685]

Mazzy - thanks for sharing your story. Respect.

[@TrevorMarshall-iq6sy]

Massey, really enjoyed the SF trip. Always bring something different to your channel. You recently motivated me to purchase a record deck and bring out old records

[@user-ux9td8kt4t]

Much appreciated, Mazzy. I’ve often wondered why you moved from SF; never felt it was appropriate to ask - so thank you. As a 70 year old Brit who lives in the US, I am always very impressed by your knowledge of the British music scene in the late 60’s/early 70’s. Keep up the excellent work!

[@danielbigna5469]

Hi Mazzy, as I've said and to echo other comments this was a first class series. You gave everyone a chance to share your love of music, books and visual arts in a wonderful US city.

[@charlieanderson8497]

Thumbs up. Great series.

[@thierrydumas5014]

Thanks for sharing your story and why you left Frisco. I always enjoy your videos. I’m addicted now to your videos. Thanks for entertaining me and making me liking vinyls more and more. From a fan in Quebec City, Canada.

[@louissaraiva2296]

Thanks Mazzy for the recap . And wow there are so many more record stores in SF . I love your trips to San Francisco , it makes me feel that I’m there . Now it makes sense why you moved to Seattle. I imagine Seattle is much like SF when it comes to music . Thank you for sharing 😊

[@Texeq]

I remember when you were getting ready to move to Seattle on SHF, we had some crossing conversation about it. It is a great city in many ways. Our moving from there story was quite similar to yours! Your just finished series on your trip back there resonated with me. Places and times that stick in your heart.

[@George-cw5zv]

Thank you, this was a great series. I wish it was available last July when my wife and I visited SF.

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

Just a great end to a great series. I think you turned out very well

[@erikbaas2003]

Thanks for these videos. Especially the road videos. i love them very much !!!

[@mazzysmusic]

Glad you like them!✌🏼

[@reneaceves8820]

Thanks for the personal aspects of this video. I moved from the City up to Seattle in 1996. I go back every year and enjoy it greatly.

[@joeytavarez2093]

Thanks for another great video and cool to learn about why you left the city. I was in the City over the weekend to visit my daughter and we visited Tunnel Records and also grabbed a coffee across the street at Andy's.

[@fidelios_frequency]

Great recap of you trip. I have to go back now and watch the other episodes! Tunnel Records has one of the coolest logos. 👍🏻😎

[@mccarthyd6603]

Wow....Norman films a video EACH day on his visit to SF....THEN records a video recapping his visit and all the videos he recorded the PREVIOUS week!!! Watched every one of them...great stuff...best channel on the VC. Keep up the great work on your channel 👍

[@timothymorgan4441]

THANK YOU…TRULY WONDERFUL VID...😀

[@douglasweston126]

Thank you Mazzy for a wonderful tour of San Francisco, it looks an absolutely gorgeous city with lots to do and see. I live in lil' ol' Adelaide South Australia so these cities are a world away, and I would never see any of this if it wasnt for yours and others similar videos. It was just lovely to watch your videos as you moved around the city - just beautiful. Nice record shops to. I've heard about Amoeba Records - I think I could spend a whole day in there Lololol. Anyway thanks again for a wonderful tour of SF. Keep on rockin. Cya Doug (from Down Under) PS Didnt David Crosby live in Mill Valley for a while ???

[@brettnelson5091]

Hi Mazzy, thank you for showing us your trip, my brother in-law lives in Houston, we came to the States and stayed for 6 weeks in 2017 we did all of the East Coast, 9 city's and Yellowstone, I took 2500 shots on or trip. I owned a Kodak Express store back home in the early 2000's, and had a Beatles Museum at that time, lost both due to a marriage breakup long story. I now sell music at Markets in our area as a hobby, I have around 20,000 LP's and 30,000 CD's. Just wanted to share a bit of my background as you did. Take care, love your videos and weekly shows with Steve and George and the rest of the team.

[@johndoyle7644]

We wandered into that famous restaurant , home of the Irish coffee , had no idea they did that , just liked the menu in the window ,when we were seated , saw the Irish coffee thing happening , lol , just a neat thing that happened as we explored .Buena Vista, I think it is called .Great video Mazzy .

[@PianolaEnterprises]

I lived on Dolores Ave in 1987 and loved it! I really like your take on things. I live in Buffalo, NY now and the local music is great and you would love the record stores here.

[@mikeadam7115]

Thanks for the great videos of your trip to the city. Brought back memories of the time, however short, I spent there in the early 70s.

[@ninerscountry7885]

You can still comeback . The city had changed for the better ..no matter what other people say …

[@jazzbumschris979]

Great video as usual Mazzy.

[@musiconrecord6724]

A great coda to a wonderful series of videos. Curious as to whether you can recommend any stores that have a decent classical selection....

[@markspooner1224]

Fine series of videos.

[@Thomasgene]

Thank for Sharing!

[@georgepblair]

I have most of the Superior Viaduct reissues of Bert Jansch's catalog, out -of-print now it seems. Had no idea they were SF based. Thanks for the recap video, very enjoyable.

[@johnpischedda6951]

Hey Maz, great vid, thanks for sharing .I'm from Australia and been to SF once , loved it stayed at the green Iguana North Beach. I was a lot younger then, you're making me want to go back! Is Pearl's Jazz club still there ?

[@robbiedetroitstigermanviny8883]

Bobby Gentry/Glen Campbell Album won a Grammy that Year. Awesome Video!!!

[@lesterthorpe4190]

Fascinating insight into your past experience of San Francisco, and how wise of you to “make hay while the Sun shines “ and move on up to Seattle ! ( the one Road Trip I’ve often wondered about doing , is from San Francisco, up the west coast towards Vancouver) 🕶️

[@RichardLopez-yy3oc]

Hooked on your channel after your jazz RSD previews and this swing through San Francisco record stores and why you left town. Thanks so much for sharing this stuff. P.S. I have the Art Tatum 3LP RSD title coming my way partly on your recommendation. Cheers.

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for watching and staying ✌🏼

[@fronteracollection4016]

Gracias Mazzy for this! We appreciate the shoutout! RIP Chris..

[@chrisrundqvist8868]

Thank’s for the tour. I am planning a tour to S.F. from Europe.Your videos are very useful. Bettet than the usual tourist videos you can see on youtube.🙏

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks. Enjoy your trip ✌🏼

[@franksmusic2880]

You bought a very cool record, Soul Makossa. I love that album, great funky grooves. 👍👍👍

[@rodrigobortoloti2830]

Show. Congratulations from Brazil.

[@paavoviuhko7250]

Have to say this series of videos was exceptionally interesting for someone like me, living in the boonies in a retired uranium mining town in the wilderness of northern Ontario. Back in the 60's in my high school days San Francisco was a significant part of the cultural mythology that contributed to my development. It's always fascinating to see images of the city. Thanks.

[@ghengismcgillicutty4695]

My high school days were the early ‘70’s in Sarnia. A little jealous of these guys that grew up at ground zero of a “scene”. But we could always special order from Sam the Record Man so we could (eventually) get the same records!

[@robinjones6999]

Well mate, thats one hell of a story - thank you!!

[@neilbruce4201]

The mystery is solved. Thanx so much, Mazzy.

[@hoggboz]

Stumbled onto your channels a recommendation, I ended up watching ten plus videos back to back, starting with the San Francisco videos, would love to visit. Thanks for some recommendations, just bought Peter Jolly, Acetone, American Analog Set and Lafayette Afro Rock Band (this was already on my list, big fan of Strut Records). Like minded diverse tastes, CHEERS and keep them coming.

[@gavaxemanspins]

That Shankar sleeve art is great ❤

[@andyshacks7812]

Lovely to hear your story on why you moved to Seattle. Sounds like you made the right choice. 👍👍. I really really enjoyed your SF videos- you’ve made me really want to visit that city. Hopefully I will some day. Cheers Mazzy!

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Awesome

[@mkfmkf55]

Great video, and I've seen a bunch more you did on SF, but wonder if you've done similar videos about the music and culture scene in Seattle.

[@RichardLopez-yy3oc]

I’d enjoy that too!

[@TRamone01]

Left your heart in San Francisco, eh? I ordered the cards featuring famous guitars. Got them a couple days ago. That was fast. Show me a business that values an old printing press and I'm impressed. Thanks for the tour!

[@paulhunt9375]

Enjoyed your SF series as I have lived in Oakland for the past 21 years. As mentioned there are tons of record shops, bars and eat joints here, some of which you mentioned and are my favorites.

[@mazzysmusic]

I usually get to the east bay. But not this time 😎

[@maxhirsch7035]

Mulatu Astatke! - Fabulous musician. Fun bit- his music plays for a few seconds in the background of the first episode of Mr and Mrs Smith, the reboot on amazon prime, just after they've first arrived at their residence. A nice touch in an offbeat series. Wonderful work of his in the Ethiopiques series of cds released about 25 years ago, along with many other fine albums.

[@modelersworkbench8343]

Hey Mazzy! I just bought that same Ravi Shankar album last week- Synchronicity! I also agree that Joanna Newsom is amazing. I'm all the way over in New Hampshire and am envious of those SF record stores,,,, would be such a joy to go record shopping with ya! have a good one!

[@4one5iva]

As a fellow proud AF Native, and more specifically, an even more proud product of 22nd/Harrison, I could not be happier to see you rockin that fly a$$ shirt! Keep up the great work Mr. Mazzy sir. #XXII4Life

[@jonnyduk3968]

Surprise shout out for Sandy Shaw there Mazzy, one of the first LPs I regularly played in the mid 70s, only recently discovered it was my aunt's copy who emigrated to Canada in the late 60s.

[@jmfloyd23]

Great story Mazzy, sometimes you need a change of scenery to keep the peace within your family.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Mazzy, I'm listening to McGuinn, Clark, and Hillman lp in your honor! It's pretty smooth 70's California rock!

[@arzabael]

When records are jammed up like you said and bins are in front of bins and on top of bins and behind bins this weird thing happens where it becomes a strenuous burdensome task (tiring workout!) and you can’t actually really soak in the crate digging experience you’re just trying to get through it haha

[@thomasrobinson182]

I was stationed near Vallejo and saw lots of music acts at Winterland, Oakland Colosseum (Day On The Green), Cow Palace (better left to the cows) and dining at fun places like Brennan's in Berkeley (RIP), as well as going to Napa wine country.

[@Groover71]

Great vid Mazzy, but here’s a few you also missed, you basically drove right by them! Watts Music in Novato, been around since ‘79, greats used section with great value, and lots of new. All around a fantastic record store… The Next Record Store, another great store in Santa Rosa. Recently moved into a larger space. Red Devil Records, downtown San Rafael. My least favorite of the three, but YMMV. All in all, Marin County is so underrated as far as record stores go. Hopefully next time you come down you can check these spots out. Cheers!

[@mazzysmusic]

I’ve been to all this shops in the past. Only had time for one store per day this time. Didn’t go as far as Santa Rosa this time either ✌🏼

[@calimartinez1417]

Great San Francisco Trip serie, i enjoyed it really, and at those "coffee stops" were great, almost like being there beyond i'm thousands miles away from. Curious now how many are, i check the web and add that... (couple minutes later). Yeah, they are 6461.74 miles

[@Big-J-8579]

I once loved SF. My brother lived in Los Altos and we would go into the city every time we visited him. Nowadays, I have no interest in going anywhere in California. It is a shame. Thanks again as always.

[@Vlekistan]

Kudos to you for making a smart choice to enhance your living.

[@christaylor7332]

Nice recap. BTW in Petaluma the theater is the Mystic, and there is another cool record shop called Rain Dog. Be seeing you.

[@mazzysmusic]

Cool, thanks slip of the lips ✌🏼

[@narrowfield6846]

Hi Mazzy, I can totally understand your decision to move from San Francisco to Seattle. We used live in Berlin for sixteen years, mainly because of my job, but also because of the many cultural offers. Now, as my wife and I have retired, we moved away from the big city back to our home town, which we left forty years earlier. Its more peaceful here, everything is close by, and we are meeting old and new friends and relatives. Still the next big cities are only half an hour away, where we can enjoy live music, record shopping, arts in general. In six weeks time we will visit Berlin as tourists since we have moved away two years ago. In other words we will see it from a different angle and can do cherry picking.

[@ballstadt]

I lived in Marin, moved back to the midwest in '04 to be close to my dad as his health declined. Finally got around to heading back west in '21 and SF was just out of reach. Weird to say that Seattle was the more affordable place to end up, and honestly glad we ended up here.

[@mazzysmusic]

Ten years ago Seattle was half what it is now. Moved here just in time it seems.

[@26Jorgeb]

I was asking myself too, why you left that city.Now, I understand. I guess the great city of Sanfo lost you brother.Thanks for the video, it's a very pleasing and educating show.At least, for one like me who hasn't been to that place.

[@Niels133]

Like J.L. Ponty. There's a nice 5 cd pack for a good price, I bought. You had a nice trip.

[@TheTop40hub]

You said Goin’ Back. Thought of Neil Young’s song. Thanks Mazzy.

[@GeeWhizbang]

Shout out from Fremont St here in Menlo Dark

[@mortenaastad796]

Tip: you could be the first American in the vinyl community to do a video about artists who became famous performing at the, in the US mostly unknown, Eurovision Song Contest. Like ABBA, Sandie Shaw, Kathrina and the Waves and so on 😊 Great video and homage to San Francisco Norman.

[@cosmonaut9942]

You're an interesting fellow. Sorry you had to leave the City that you love. I lived in SF from 1976 through 1977 and then moved to Sebastopol.. I've lived in the same house since then. I visit the City often for the restaurants, music, etc. I can't imagine living anywhere else, but if I didn't own my home outright, I doubt that I'd be able to afford to live here.

[@callmejeffbob]

Many years ago (in the mid to late 70s), I used to visit my sister in San Francisco (I live in Portland, OR). On those trips I would usually pay a visit to a small used record store called the "Magic Flute", which I would guess is no longer in business. It was located near the southeastern edge of Golden Gate Park, not far from Kezar Stadium. I think it was on a street named Frederick, but I'm not sure. The store specialized in jazz records. This was long before CDs were introduced and also before re-issue labels like OJC were prevalent, and many great jazz recordings were out of print at the time. I found lots of great out-of-print stuff there for reasonable prices. Norman, do you remember the "Magic Flute" record store?

[@mazzysmusic]

Yes I remember the Magic Flute. Long gone ✌🏼

[@markhoffmeister8247]

We moved to Bainbridge Island after life in the Bay Area , Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz

[@alexmacdonald2644]

Great story.

[@offthebeatentracks4515]

I spent most of my adult life in L.A. About 5 years ago, I sold up and moved to the Beaches in Toronto. I find I appreciate L.A. more now than the last few decades I lived there. It's fun to go back and visit friend and record stores but I wouldn't want to live there again. Some cities are easier to grow old in. L.A. is definitely not one of them.

[@ninerscountry7885]

Clement Street .still a great place to walk through

[@cmbr.]

Born at St. Mary's 🎶 too

[@etiennedegaulle3817]

Amoeba's used vinyl in SF went downhill decades ago when they opened Amoeba in LA.

[@flyingjeffsutherland3744]

My high school buddy and I split for San Francisco on a shoe string budget as a reward for him graduating from the University of Dayton with a tech degree. We cut costs where ever we could. One night we were tempted to sleep in a little park in Berkley, but were told that was the junkie hang out and not a good idea. It was late and we were walking through campus and spotted a row of big Taxus bushes along one of the campus buildings, it looked like a tent. We crawled under and I was out like a light until morning and was awakened by the students passing by. Bob didn't sleep a wink due to his fear of getting his face shit upon by the pigeons!

[@alanriley9621]

You are a joy to listen to.

[@scottphillips1686]

I can't add any more to these wonderful comments, Mazzy, except to say thanks!

[@glenmoon]

I enjoyed your San Fran videos and my sister lived in the Mission district for many years but has moved to the east bay in El Cerrito, CA near Berkeley and Oakland. She blames Google for ruining the city. It’s a beautiful city. All you have to do is keep it clean and keep it safe and it’s a goldmine. The problem is you’re either rich or poor living in San Francisco. There is no middle class anymore in the city. When I was there, there was a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop at the corner of Haight and Ashbury. I liked Goat Hill Pizza and Aperto restaurant in Potrero Hill.

[@cringe7886]

Sanfrancisco always changes and always will.

[@waynedexter]

With a city that has changed so much it warms my heart to see that 4 Star Cinema is still around ☺️

[@mazzysmusic]

Yes absolutely. Some good things are happening in some of the neighborhoods!!!

[@ninerscountry7885]

@@mazzysmusicyes .I totally agree. . This is my city ..

[@robsudduth3978]

Remember The Surf theater?

[@mazzysmusic]

@@robsudduth3978 of course. My friend managed it for several years and we wrote some of our Beatles England book in the cafe during shows.

[@anthonyburke223]

Hey Mazzy , I’m in Seattle for a few days next week . In no small part to visit Olympic national park . I don’t know if I’ll have time to hit up many records shops . What are the must not miss record shops in Seattle please ? Chasing Byrds , gene , Big Star, Townes . Etc Thanks

[@mazzysmusic]

Easy Street. Jive Time. Daybreak

[@anthonyburke223]

@@mazzysmusic Thanks Mazzy .

[@Qthepug]

North Beach has Cantina records, 101 music across the street and Out of Sight records around the corner alley. $15

[@4-dman464]

I thought you bought a book from City Lights for *the Norman Maslov Public Library* - - you put it back on the shelf?

[@mazzysmusic]

I bought the YOKO Tate book 😎