Customer Reviews

Early Recordings

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This has become one of my all-time favorite albums. Trying to describe the music is like trying to nail down a blob of mercury. You just have to hear it. Clay Allison/Opal are one of those bands that have you wondering why they never achieved more recognition, and why a song like "My Only Friend," one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, has only about 200 You Tube hits last time I looked. What's interesting is the fact that although this is a compilation, the album holds together musically and thematically. Kendra Smith is a siren inviting us to enter an elemental world of sea, sand, wind and sun. What at first sounds simple reveals more and more complexity the more you listen. Fans of this music (and of "Early Recordings Vol. 2) still seem to be members of a pretty small club, as even music fanatics of my acquaintance, while having heard of the band, are unfamiliar with the actual music.

This is a phenominal album! Opal is like Mazzy Star with Kendra Smith singing instead of Hope Sandoval. If you like the soothing, other-wordly melodies and sweet feminine voice of Mazzy Star, check out Opal with Kendra Smith! 'Brigit on Sunday' and 'My Only Friend' alone make this album worth whatever ridiculous used price the seller is charging

Easily the best album to come out of LA's so-called "Paisley Underground" scene in the 1980's Kendra Smith's plaintiff vocals and David Roback's weeping guitar float along on a cloud and create a beautiful listening experience you'll never forget! This CD collects all of their early EPs on to one album, and every one is a gem.
If you're holding out on purchasing this rare CD because of the price consider this, it will probably never be reissued! Founder David Roback abandoned the music industry in the 90's, and I have it from a reliable source that he has no intention of ever revisiting his musical past.