10 songs by Kendra Smith / Opal.
A selection of songs by or featuring the haunting voice of Kendra Smith , member of The Dream Syndicate , Clay Allison, Opal and a solo artist. Situated in the neo-psychedelic “Paisley Underground” scene of San Francisco – Area bands of the early 80s, Opal later became known as Mazzy Star after Kendra left the band to be replaced by Hope Sandoval. She put out two solo albums, The Guild of Temporal Adventurers in 1992 and Five Ways of Disappearing in 1995 on 4AD. Her trail just breaks off cold after that, and from what I can gather she simply packed up and moved off the grid to a cabin in Northern California, leaving behind a clutch of haunting dream pop and desert psych as well as the mystery of her complete absence from the scene, with only one live performance at a festival in 1998 breaking the veil of silence and mystery.
Enjoy this sample of work from an under-appreciated and seriously talented and unique songwriter!
Opal – Grains of Sand (from Early Recordings, 1989)
Opal – Magick Power (from Happy Nightmare Baby, 1987)
Kendra Smith – Stars Are In Your Eyes (from The Guild of Temporal Adventurers, 1992)
Kendra Smith – Heart and Soul (from A Means to an End – The Music of Joy Division, 1995)
Opal – My Only Friend (from Early Recordings, 1989)
Kendra Smith – Bold Marauder (from All Virgos are Mad Comp, 1994)
Opal – Northern Line (from Northern Line, 1985)
Opal – Soul Giver (from Happy Nightmare Baby, 1987)
Opal – Harriet Brown (from Early Recordings, 1989)
Kendra Smith – Temporarily Lucy & Interview KCRW, 1995
