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Disappearing Act: A Kendra Smith Sampler, 1981-1998
It’s been well over a decade since Kendra Smith has been heard from, musically at least. If she’s mentioned at all these days, it’s usually as the co-founder of Opal, the band that would eventually morph (without Smith) into Mazzy Star. Or perhaps there was a flurry of interest when critics started mentioning Opal as a touchstone for blog faves Beach House. But for the most part, she’s been relegated to footnote status — and considering that almost all of the recordings she’s been involved in are long out of print, one imagines Kendra prefers it that way. But the music deserves to be heard! So I’ve put together a one disc compilation that stretches from one of her earliest recordings (a German language cover of the Velvets’ “All Tomorrow’s Parties”) to what I believe was her final live performance to date in 1998. In between, you’ll hear songs from The Dream Syndicate, Rainy Day and Opal, as well as some fantastic solo tunes. It all hangs together quite nicely, with plenty of the hazy, dreamlike sounds that Smith made her trademark. Enjoy!
1. Alle Morgens Parties - Kendra Smith
2. Too Little Too Late - The Dream Syndicate
3. Flying On The Ground Is Wrong - Rainy Day
4. Grains of Sand - Opal
5. My Only Friend - Opal
6. Hear The Wind Blow - Opal
7. Indian Summer - Opal
8. Freight Train - Opal
9. Happy Nightmare Baby - Opal
10. She’s A Diamond - Opal
11. Magick Power - Opal
12. Stars Are In Your Eyes - Kendra Smith
13. She Brings The Rain - Kendra Smith
14. Iridescent 31 - Kendra Smith
15. Aurelia - Kendra Smith
16. In Your Head - Kendra Smith
17. Temporarily Lucy (live) - Kendra Smith
18. Lay This Body Down (live) - Kendra Smith
