German Phoenix - The unofficial Kendra Smith website

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latest update: August 2nd 2002

send e-mails to Roberto Feruglio

© 1998-2003 Wrong Way Productions

This page is Bobby approved

What's new?

August 2nd 2002  an interview to David Roback and a review of Northern Line EP added to the news-stand; a photo of Opal added to the card of Indian Summer; this stuff was previously released on April's All Souls website

May 11th 2002  article Blue Velvet added to the news-stand (thanks Wes!)

April 5th 2001  presskit of Fell From The Sun EP added to the news-stand

October 18th 2000  articles Quiet Times on the Frontier and Excellent Adventure added to the news-stand; reviews of Early Recordings and The Day Before Wine and Roses from Hartbeat! magazine added too; all this great stuff kindly provided by Markus Prem (thanks!!)

October 1st 2000  article Under the Spell of the Dream Syndicate added to the news-stand

September 24th 2000  articles Sure Thing and The Birth of Clay Allison added to the news-stand; reviews of Happy Nightmare Baby and Early Recordings added too; a photograph of The Dream Syndicate added to the liner notes of The Day Before Wine And Roses

September 3rd 2000  cards of Suspects' single & Alle Morgens Parties flexi added to the discography

June 4th 2000  two photographs of The Dream Syndicate added to the cards of The Dream Syndicate & Tell Me When It's Over EP's; cards of Rainy Day's single & Opal/Clay Allison's releases added to the discography

October 30th 1999  card of Tell Me When It's Over EP added to the discography; rare labels of The Dream Syndicate EP, The Days Of Wine And Roses, Fell From The Sun (single & EP) and Early Recordings added too: to see them just click on the catalog numbers

July 18th 1999  very cool promoshot inserted in the chronology

June 19th 1999  pics of split single Stille Im Meine Hamburg and promo CD Valley of the Morning Sun added to their cards in the discography

May 28th 1999  review of The Guild of Temporal Adventurers added to the news-stand

May 11th 1999  article Mountain Girl and two pics added to the news-stand (thanks Tony!)

January 17th 1999  opened Kendra's harbour (the guestbook)

November 6th 1998  an appendix inserted in the chronology; other cat. nos. added to the discography, relevant sites added to the links section and liner notes added to the card of The Day Before Wine And Roses

August 31st 1998  Stille Im Meine Hamburg split single added to the discography (thanks Greg!)

August 4th 1998  promos plus cat. nos. and notes to several releases added to the discography

July 10th 1998  reviews of Rainy Day, Don't Shoot, The Day Before Wine And Roses and links to other relevant stuff on the web added to Kendra's news-stand

June 7th 1998  opened German Phoenix - The unofficial Kendra Smith website

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Chronology

Kendra was born on the 14th of March 1960 in Virginia: after she had spent her youth in Germany, she began to play in 1978 at Davis (N.E. of SF), where with Russ Tolman, Gavin Blair (both future True West), Steve Suchil and Steve Wynn formed The Suspects, that the following year released a self-produced 7inch, scattering immediately afterwards, then Kendra moved to Los Angeles pursuing her own path. Here in 1981 Wynn stood godfather to his own label Down There, releasing a single as 15minutes; after the recording of Alle Morgens Parties Kendra decided to play again with him.
She, Steve and his friend Karl Precoda started, with a drummer called Randy, The Dream Syndicate; that denomination betrayed their passion for Velvets' atmospheres: it was the title of the album that Angus McLise and John Cale recorded in 1964 with Tony Conrad and La Monte Young, as well as the name of that joint.
The band, with Dennis Duck on drums (who was introduced to the others by Kendra), became the main attraction of the growing LA scene.
After carrying out two records in a period of nine months, Kendra (with Karl and Dennis) took part in Rainy Day's album, cementing her bond with David Roback of The Rain Parade, then she left her group, forming Clay Allison together with David, taking the name from a Far-West gunman.
In December 1983, during the Emergency Third Rail Power Trip tour, there was Clay Allison's live debut at Pyramid Club in NYC; the month after Roback quitted officially his old band.
The new group saw several members follow one another round the leaders between the recordings and the releases.
At the end of 1985 they changed name becoming Opal and bore a second EP.
Finally, after a long wait, in the summer of 1987 their first shining album came out.
Kendra toured last time with Opal in November of that year. Hope Sandoval, hotly recommended by Kendra herself, took her place and laid the foundations of Mazzy Star's success. Afterwards Kendra left the scene, retiring into the country.
Her coming back was pre-announced by an obscure split-single with Keith Levene, then she gave us two splendid sonic jewels.

Thanks to Kendra Smith and her friend Regina Blackbird for the precious help.

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Discography

(U.S. unless indicated otherwise)

with The Suspects

with The Dream Syndicate

with The Rain Parade

with Rainy Day

with Clay Allison

as Kendra Smith, David Roback, Keith Mitchell

with Opal

as Kendra Smith

If you are well informed about further Kendra's recordings that are not to be found on those already reported above, please e-mail me… thanks

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Extended notes to Kendra Smith discography

Talking Loud/It's Up To You
Notes
Private pressing (7inch) released in 1979
Produced by Jim Keylor & Suspects
Recorded at BSU Studios, San Francisco
Photography by Rose Martin
Art by Art
Personnel
Steve Wynn - guitar, vocals
Kendra Smith - vocals
Russ Tolman - guitar
Steve Suchil - bass
Gavin Blair - drums
Tracks
Talking Loud (Wynn) 2:18
It's Up To You (Wynn) 2:56

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The Dream Syndicate
Notes
Released as Down There DT-2 (EP) in April 1982
Reissued as Enigma E1025 in 1984
Reissued as Zippo ZANE 001 (UK) in June 1985
Dutch issue includes previously unreleased track Outlaw Blues
Reissued on CD as Demon VEXCD 10 (UK) in August 1992
Reissued on CD as Rhino 79937 in July 2001 added to The Days Of Wine And Roses & 4 bonus tracks
Engineered by Paul Cutler
Recorded 31st January 1982 at Southwest Sound, Pasadena, CA
Cover photo by Lynda Burdick
Personnel
Steve Wynn - guitar, vocals
Karl Precoda - guitar
Kendra Smith - bass
Dennis Duck - drums
Tracks
Sure Thing (Precoda) 3:54
That's What You Always Say (Wynn) 4:16
When You Smile (Wynn) 3:04
Some Kinda Itch (Wynn) 5:27

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The Days Of Wine And Roses
Album notes
Released as Ruby JRR 807 (LP) in October 1982
Also released as Closer CL 0003 (LP) (FR) in 1982
Reissued as Rough Trade ROUGH 53 (LP) (UK) in November 1983
Reissued as Slash SLMP 19 (LP) & SMMC 19 (Tape) in 1987
Reissued on CD as Slash/Warner Bros. 23844-2 in 1993
Reissued on CD as Rhino 79937 in July 2001 added to The Dream Syndicate (EP) & 4 bonus tracks
Produced by Chris D.
Engineered by Pat Burnette
Recorded at Quad Teck Studio, LA, CA, September 1982
Photos by David Arnoff
All songs by Steve Wynn except Halloween by Karl Precoda
Personnel
Steve Wynn - guitar, vocals
Karl Precoda - guitar
Kendra Smith - bass, vocal on Too Little, Too Late
Dennis Duck - drums
Tracks
Tell Me When It's Over (3:32)
Definitely Clean (3:29)
That's What You Always Say (3:12)
Then She Remembers (4:07)
Halloween (6:10)
When You Smile (4:16)
Until Lately (6:51)
Too Little, Too Late (3:26)
The Days Of Wine And Roses (7:30)

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Tell Me When It's Over
Notes
Released as Rough Trade RTT 121 (EP) (UK) in 1983
Tell Me When It's Over taken from The Days Of Wine And Roses LP
Live tracks recorded at Studio Zzzz, Sept. 1982
Executive Producer: Andrea 'Enthal and KPFK-FM
Engineered by Steve Barker and Leslie
Mixed by Pat McLaughlin
Remix engineer: John Larson
Cover design by Reid Miles
Liner notes by Byron Coley
Personnel
Steve Wynn - guitar, vocals
Karl Precoda - guitar
Kendra Smith - bass
Dennis Duck - drums
Tracks
Tell Me When It's Over (Wynn)
Some Kinda Itch (live) (Wynn)
Mr. Soul (live) (Young)
Sure Thing (live) (Precoda)

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The Day Before Wine And Roses
Album notes
Released as Normal 176 (CD) (Ger) in 1994
Reissued as Atavistic ALP42 (CD) in 1995
Executive Producer: Andrea 'Enthal and KPFK-FM
Recorded at Studio ZZZZ (North Hollywood)
Engineered by Steve Barker and Leslie
Mixed by Pat McLaughlin
Art Direction/Design: Brigid Pearson
Photos: Mark Takeuchi
Liner notes by Pat Thomas
Personnel
Steve Wynn - guitar, vocals
Karl Precoda - guitar
Kendra Smith - bass
Dennis Duck - drums
Tracks
Some Kinda Itch (Wynn)
Mr. Soul (Neil Young)
Sure Thing (Precoda)
That's What You Always Say (Wynn)
Outlaw Blues (Bob Dylan)
Open Hour (Dream Syndicate)
When You Smile (Wynn)
Season Of The Witch (Donovan Leitch)
The Days Of Wine And Roses (Wynn)

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Rainy Day (9 Of Your Favorite Songs Featuring Members Of Three O'Clock, Rain Parade, Bangles & Dream Syndicate*)
Album notes
Released as Llama/Enigma E1024 (LP/Tape) in 1983
Reissued as Serpent/Rough Trade ROUGH 41 (LP/CD/Tape) and Rough Trade ROUGH 70 (LP) (UK) in 1984
Produced by David Roback
Engineered by Ethan James at Radio Tokyo - Venice, CA.
Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Capitol Records - Hollywood, CA.
Artwork by Kendra Smith
Tracks & Personnel
I'll Keep It With Mine (B. Dylan)
Susanna Hoffs - lead vocal; David Roback - guitar, tambourine; Will Glenn - violin; Michael Quercio - bass guitar
John Riley (B. Gibson/R. Neff/P. Belmonte)
Michael Quercio - lead vocal, bass guitar; Matthew Piucci - acoustic 12-string; David Roback - electric 12-string, background vocals; Will Glenn - violin, background vocals; Dennis Duck - drums
Flying On The Ground Is Wrong (N. Young)
Kendra Smith - lead & background vocals; David Roback - guitar; Susanna Hoffs - background vocals
Sloop John B. (Traditional)
Michael Quercio - lead vocal, bass guitar, percussion; Ethan James - keyboards; Dennis Duck - drums; David Roback - guitar, congas
Soon Be Home (A Quick One While He's Away) (P. Townsend)
David Roback - lead vocal, guitars; Michael Quercio - bass guitar, drums; Vicki Peterson - background vocals; Susanna Hoffs - background vocals; Spock - tambourine
Holocaust (A. Chilton)
Kendra Smith - lead vocal; Steven Roback - piano; Will Glenn - cello, violin; David Roback - guitar; Ethan James - backwards piano
On The Way Home (N. Young)
David Roback - vocal, guitar
I'll Be Your Mirror (L. Reed)
Susanna Hoffs - lead vocal, guitar; David Roback - lead guitar, bass guitar, tambourine; Sue & Kendra - background vocals
Rainy Day, Dream Away (J. Hendrix)
Michael Quercio - lead vocal; Ethan James - bass guitar, keyboard; Dennis Duck - drums; Karl Precoda - guitar; David Roback - congas
(*sticker applied on Llama/Enigma release which has black label with silver lettering; Serpent/Rough Trade release has brown label with green lettering)

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I'll Keep It With Mine/Holocaust
Notes
Released as Rough Trade RT 140 (7inch) (UK) in 1984
Produced by David Roback
Engineered by Ethan James at Radio Tokyo - Venice, CA.
Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Capitol Records - Hollywood, CA.
Artwork by Kendra Smith
Tracks & Personnel
I'll Keep It With Mine (B. Dylan)
Susanna Hoffs - lead vocal; David Roback - guitar, tambourine; Will Glenn - violin; Michael Quercio - bass guitar
Holocaust (A. Chilton)
Kendra Smith - lead vocal; Steven Roback - piano; Will Glenn - cello, violin; David Roback - guitar; Ethan James - backwards piano

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Fell From The Sun/All Souls
Notes
Released as Serpent SR001 (7inch) (US) in 1984 for Bucketfull Of Brains zine #8
Produced by David Roback
Engineered by Ethan James
Recorded in Los Angeles, Fall 1983
Personnel
Kendra Smith
David Roback
Juan Gomez
Keith Mitchell
Terry Graham drums on Fell From The Sun
Tracks
Fell From The Sun (Smith) 4:34
All Souls (Smith/Roback) 2:18

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Don't Shoot
Album notes
Released as Zippo ZONG 009 (LP) (UK) in 1986
Reissued on CD as Mau Mau MAUCD 606 (Fr)
Compiled by Anna Statman & Susie Wrenn while under the influence of Bob Forrest
Cover design: Carl Ramsey
Recorded December 1983 to June 1984 by Los Angeles artists
Tracks & Personnel
Bend In The Road (Dan Stuart/Steve Wynn)
Danny & Dusty
Danny Stuart & Steve Wynn - vocals; Sid Griffin - lead guitar; Stephen McCarthy - lap steel; Tom Stevens - bass; Dennis Duck - drums
(Produced & mixed by Paul B. Cutler)
Hello Walls (Willie Nelson)
Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs
Top Jimmy - vocals; Gil T. - bass; Tony Gilkyson - lead & rhythm guitar; Julie Christensen & Kittra - background vocals; Keith Mitchell - drums
(Produced & mixed by Chris D.)
I'll Get Out Somehow (Stephen McCarthy)
Stephen McCarthy
Stephen McCarthy - vocals & acoustic guitar; Dave Pearlman - pedal steel & guitar; Rick Utter - bass; Davy Crockett - drums
(Produced by Rick Novak; mixed by Chris D.)
Wreckin' Ball (Dave Alvin/John Doe)
John Doe
John Doe - vocals & guitar; Gil T. - bass
(Produced & mixed by Chris D.)
Almost Persuaded (Sherrill/Sutton)
Julie Christensen
Julie Christensen - vocals; Pete Wasner - piano; James Cruce - drums; Bill Bryson - bass; Bob Hawkins - acoustic guitar; Greg Leisz - pedal steel
(Produced & mixed by Chris D.)
Tears Fall Away (Chris D./Robyn Jameson/Divine Horsemen)
Divine Horsemen
Chris D. & Julie Christensen - vocals; Robyn Jameson - acoustic guitar; Matt Lee - electric & 12-string; Brantley Kearns - fiddle
(Produced & mixed by Chris D.)
Tear It Down (Tony Gilkyson)
Tony Gilkyson
Tony Gilkyson - guitar & vocals; Maria McKee - vocals; Pat Woodward - bass; Ed Bytos - piano; Jerry Angel - drums; Spyder Mittleman & Otis Hall - saxes
(Engineered by Ricky Eckstein)
Never Get Out Of This World Alive (Hank Williams)
Jack Waterson
Jack Waterson - rhythm guitar & vocals; Will Glenn - fiddle & backup vocals; Matthew Piucci - guitar & backup vocals; Steve Roback - bass; Chris Cavacas - piano; Alex MacNichol - drums
(Produced by Dan Stewart; mixed by Paul B. Cutler)
Blind Justice (Howe Gelb)
The Band Of... Blacky Ranchette
Howe Gelb - vocals, guitar & piano; Rainer - dobro; Jacob Martinez - bass & harmony; Alex MacNichol - drums; Chris Cavacas - cow bell
Freight Train (Elizabeth Cotton)
Clay Allison
Kendra Smith - vocals; David Roback - acoustic guitar; Juan Gomez - acoustic guitar & harmonica; Keith Mitchell - rice in cain
(Produced & mixed by David Roback)
Tear It All To Pieces (Michael Uhlenkott)
The Romans
Michael Uhlenkott - lead vocals & bass; Juan Gomez - acoustic rhythm guitar & backup vocals; Keith Mitchell - drums & backup vocals; Dan Todd - lead guitar; Allison Anders & Craig Roose - backup vocals
(Produced by Chris D.; mixed by Paul B. Cutler)

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Fell From The Sun
Notes
Released as Serpent/Enigma E1092 (EP) (US) in 1984
Also released as Rough Trade RTT 129 (EP) (UK) in 1984 with different track listing
Produced by David Roback
Engineered by Ethan James & Glenn Mont
Recorded in Los Angeles, Winter 1983-84
Back photo by Laura Levine
Personnel
Kendra Smith - vocals, bass
David Roback - guitars, organ, vocal
Keith Mitchell - drums
Terry Graham - drums on Fell From The Sun
Juan Gomez - 2nd guitar on Grains Of Sand & Freight Train
Tracks of US release
Grains Of Sand (Roback/Smith) 5:43
Fell From The Sun (Smith) 4:26
All Souls (Smith/Roback) 2:21
Lullabye (Roback/Smith) 7:12
Tracks of UK release
Fell From The Sun (Smith) 4:26
Freight Train (James/Williams/Cotton) 1:40
Grains Of Sand (Roback/Smith) 5:43

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Northern Line
Notes
Released as One Big Guitar OBG 002T (EP) (UK) in 1985
Produced by David Roback
Recorded in Los Angeles, February-March, October 1985
Front cover photo by David Roback
Back cover photo by Laura Levine
Credits
Kendra Smith
David Roback
David Petrie
Keith Mitchell
Ethan James
David McKenzie
Tracks
Northern Line (Smith/Roback) 4:35
Empty Bottles (Roback) 2:00
Soul Giver (Roback) 8:33

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Happy Nightmare Baby
Album notes
Released as SST 103 (LP/CD) (US) in 1987
Also released as Rough Trade ROUGH 116 (LP/CD) (UK) in 1987 and as Victor VDP-1320 (CD) (Jap) in 1988
Produced by David Roback
Engineered by Keith Wechsler & Larry Goetz
Photos by David Roback, Kendra Smith, Laura Levine
Album cover design by David Roback
Credits
Kendra Smith
David Roback
Suki Ewers
William Cooper
Aaron Sherer
Keith Mitchell
Tracks
Rocket Machine (Roback) 4:24
Magick Power (Roback/Smith) 6:14
Relevation (Roback) 2:53
A Falling Star (Roback/Smith) 1:21
She's A Diamond (Roback/Smith) 4:18
Supernova (Roback/Smith) 4:17
Siamese Trap (Roback/Smith) 6:38
Happy Nightmare Baby (Roback/Smith) 2:52
Soul Giver (Roback) 8:34

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Indian Summer
Notes
Released as CI 003 (7inch) (UK) in October 1987
Given away with Chemical Imbalance zine #6
Ltd. ed. of 4300
Opal's track completed Sept. '87 in some L.A. studio
Tracks
Firehose: From One Cums One (Kira/Watt)
Leaving Trains: Heartbreak Wizard
Opal: Indian Summer (Doors)
Slovenly: Enormous Critics (Slovenly)

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Early Recordings
Album notes
Released as Rough Trade ROUGH US 53 (LP/CD/Tape) (US) in 1989
Also released as Rough Trade ROUGH 128 (LP/CD) (UK) in 1989
Produced by David Roback
Photos by Laura Levine, David Roback
Cover design by David Roback
Credits
Kendra Smith
David Roback
Suki
Keith Mitchell
Terry Graham
Ethan James
David Petrie
David McKenzie
Tracks
Empty Box Blues
She's A Diamond
My Only Friend
Empty Bottles
Grains Of Sand
Brigit On Sunday
Northern Line
Strange Delight
Fell From The Sun
Harriet Brown
Lullabye
All Souls
Hear The Wind Blow (CD only)

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Alle Morgens Parties
Notes
Flexi given away with issue #31 of the BOB zine in 1987
Backed with Cinnamon Girl by The Dream Syndicate
Writing credits go to Lou Reed
Produced by Steve Wynn
Recorded at Down There Studios, June 1981

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Stille Im Meine Hamburg
Notes
Released as Overzealous Editions JENNY 02 (7inch split single bootleg) probably in the early nineties; backed with Clothesline by Keith Levene & Hillel Slovak
Writing credits go to Little Cory
Plate in clear vinyl
Info kindly provided by Greg

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The Guild Of Temporal Adventurers
Album notes
Released as Fiasco FSCO 34417* (mini-LP 10inch) in 1992
Plate in transparent vinyl
Also released as Fiasco 001 (CD) in 1992
A La Babalon Production
Recorded December 1991 by The Guild Of Temporal Adventurers:
Kendra Smith, Jonah Corey & A. Phillip Uberman
Engineered by Earl Martin & The Guild except Waiting In The Rain, mixed by Franz Pusch & The Guild
Producer: Kendra Smith
Executive Producer: Sunshine
Tracks & Personnel
Intro: Legbone Tibet
Stars Are In Your Eyes (Corey/Liqueure) 3:50
vocals, acoustic & bass by Kendra; electric guitar by Eergott Liqueure; stick by Franz Pusch; drums by Orson
Interlude: Himalayan Bells
Earth Same Breath (Smith) 3:15
vocal & acoustic guitar by Kendra; harmonium & pump organ by Corey & Uberman
Waiting In The Rain (Corey/Liqueure) 3:45
vocals by Kendra & Corey; guitar by Eergott Liqueure; bass by Kendra; drums by Orson
She Brings The Rain (The Can) 4:00
vocal & bass by Kendra; lead guitar by Mitch Greenhill; sub-buzz guitar by Eergott Liqueure
Iridescence 31 (Corey/Smith) 3:40
harmonium & pump organ by Kendra; calliope by Corey; voices by Kendra & Corey
Interlude: Railroad
mix by J.C & Bobby Icon
Wheel Of The Law (Corey/Smith) 4:20
vocals by Kendra & Corey; guitar by Uberman; distorgan by Corey; bass by Kendra
(*this # is printed at the end of the sides, on vinyl… the p.o. box of Fiasco Records is 34416… is it a coincidence?)

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Valley Of The Morning Sun
Notes
Released as 4AD PRO-CD-7743-R (promo CD) in 1995
Issued with black & white back sleeve
Produced & arranged by Kendra Smith and A. Phillip Uberman
Tracks
Valley Of The Morning Sun (edit) 3:51
Valley Of The Morning Sun (album version) 7:06

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Five Ways Of Disappearing
Album notes
Released as 4AD CAD 5006 (LP/CD/Tape) (UK) & 4AD 45853 (CD/Tape) on May 9th 1995
Previously issued as 4AD 2-45853-A (promo CD) with black & white back sleeve and photo insert
Released later as 4AD 840590 (CD) (Fr)
Bold Marauder, In Your Head & Valley Of The Morning Sun were also issued on several 4AD promo-comps between 1994 & 1995
Produced & arranged by Kendra Smith & A. Phillip Uberman
Recorded at Dreamland, Loleta, CA
Engineered by Steve Dellay
Temporarily Lucy & Space Unadorned recorded at Paddle Ranch, Salmon Creek, CA; engineered by Kent Stephenson
All songs mixed by Kendra Smith & Steve Dellay
Drum programming by Tim Gray & Justin Hobart Brown
Prelude to Bohemian Zebulon traditional Gregorian arranged by Smith
Sleeve by Vaughan Oliver & Paul McMenamin at v23, Melodie McDaniel & A. Phillip Uberman
Tracks & Personnel
Aurelia (Smith/Uberman) 5:59
vocal & doumbek by Kendra; synth by Uberman; lead guitar by Axis; drums by M. Ali Yassemi
Bohemian Zebulon (Smith/Uberman) 4:43
vocal, pump organ, piano & percussion by Kendra; synth by Uberman
Temporarily Lucy (Smith) 4:40
vocal, guitar & pump organ by Kendra; drums by M. Ali Yassemi; bass & lead guitar by Stephenson
In Your Head (Smith/Uberman) 4:24
vocal & percussion by Kendra; guitar by Uberman; drums by Lazlo Toth; bass by Brown; ghost guitar by John McManus
Space Unadorned (Smith) 5:00
vocal, guitar, pump organ & harmonium by Kendra; bass by Uberman; drums by M. Ali Yassemi
Maggots (Smith) 4:03
vocal, guitar, piano & bass by Kendra; drums by Lazlo Toth
Drunken Boat (Smith) 3:46
vocal, guitar & feedback by Kendra; drums by M. Ali Yassemi; bass by Brown; lead guitar by Axis
Interlude Dirigible 0:42
Valley Of The Morning Sun (Smith/Uberman) 6:24
vocal & piano by Kendra; guitar by Uberman; bass by Brown; drums by Lazlo Toth
Judge Not (Smith/Uberman) 3:21
vocal & guitar by Kendra; wah guitar by Axis; guitar by Dellay
Get There (Smith/Uberman) 5:00
vocal, pump organ & percussion by Kendra
Interlude Saturn 0:38
Bold Marauder (Richard & Mimi Fariña) 5:33
vocal, guitar & pump organ by Kendra

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A Brief Retrospective
Album notes
Promo tape released through 4AD without cat. no. in 1995
Beige insert with black lettering
Tracks
The Dream Syndicate: Too Little, Too Late
Rainy Day: Flying On The Ground Is Wrong
Opal: Fell From The Sun
Opal: Hear The Wind Blow
Opal: Happy Nightmare Baby
Kendra Smith: Earth Same Breath
Kendra Smith: Interlude #1 - Dirigible
Kendra Smith: Valley Of The Morning Sun

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Liner notes to The Day Before Wine And Roses by Pat Thomas

A few days ago, my friend Steven Roback and I were playing a rock and roll quiz game. He said, "Name five concerts that you wish you were at." I quickly listed Woodstock, The Who at Fillmore East '68, Dylan at Royal Albert Hall, Fairport Convention with Sandy and Richard… and then I stopped for a moment… "The Dream Syndicate on KPFK Radio." Steven replied, "I was at the show, in fact the entire Rain Parade was there, Green On Red, everybody was there." Wynn told me later "Yeah, that's true. All the Bangles, I think even REM was there."
Playing their first show in January 1982, by September of that year-when this radio show was recorded-the band had quickly risen to the top of the heap of the Los Angeles music scene. Soon they would record and release The Days Of Wine And Roses album.
For myself, living 3000 miles away on the other side of America, it wouldn't be until August of 1983 that I would first hear the strains of Sure Thing and Some Kinda Itch on my local college radio station. But on first listen I was hooked. There was a power and beauty to their work that was as much influenced by the free jazz of Ornette Coleman as the Velvets and Crazy Horse. Karl Precoda would squeeze as much feedback out of his cheap Kay guitars as possible, often leaving them in a heap by the side of the stage. When I later asked Karl why he switched from Kays to a hollow body Gibson, he said, "Man, on that first cross country tour we destroyed all of the Kays. They couldn't handle it."
Let's look at the nine songs bottled inside of this five-inch silver disc. Among the highlights are Some Kinda Itch which is transformed from a fast frenzied jam into a slow, perverse epic of music seduction. Followed by a cover of Buffalo Springfield's Mr. Soul and into a blistering Sure Thing-the first three songs produce a unique metal orgasm between the band and the listener. But just when you thought the climax was over, you get Dylan's Outlaw Blues and an early skeletal version of John Coltrane Stereo Blues called Open Hour. JCSB has often been described as a Doors-like jam. Well, it's time to tell you that the song was not inspired by the Doors at all, but by their Elektra label mates, The Butterfield Blues Band. I discovered this while listening to the title track of Butterfield's classic East/West album. Wynn confirm this: "That's right. I was taking acid and playing that song over and over, then I started working on my song." While JCSB is a masterwork in its own right, Open Hour owes a courtesy thanks to Mike Bloomfield. When You Smile has always been a wonderful thing-like Van Morrison says on Jackie Wilson Said, "I'm in heaven when you smile." So am I when listening to this version. Donovan's Season Of The Witch pumps your ears for all they're worth before the final assault of The Days Of Wine And Roses. Here the band pulls out all the stops, playing together with all the finesse and delicate balance of a jazz combo.
If asked what appealed to me most about the Dream Syndicate when I heard them, I would have to say-most of all-it was contemporary. Here and now. It was music made by my peers. As I write this, I'm two weeks away from the end of being a "twenty-something." In my teens I worshiped at the temple of The Who, Led Zep, Cream, etc. Those were not real people-they were fantasies. The Dream Syndicate was real. You could track them down. Talk to them before and after the show. Meet them for a beer. The music on this CD stands like a statue, tall and proud. A monument of another time, another place. This is/was the music of my generation. For years, I wished I was at this show. With the miracle of modern technology, now I'm there.
March 26, 1994

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URL: http://web.tiscali.it/wrongway/
Webmaster: Roberto Feruglio
Revised: Jul 4, 2003