Quotes
The Human Wilderness (Audio CD)
If you like songs that actually deliver a lyric punch with a backdrop that is quintessentially Americana, then I strongly recommend Human Wilderness. A close listen will certainly reward. Its always a good idea to look at our culture through the watchful eye of the poet. Of course Dylan and Springstein have revealed much, but Jeff Smith takes a look at that wilderness often overlooked - the middle size American town where their creative people are treated like freaks at worst, and polyannas at best. In towns like these the underlying inferiority complex of its people can crush a budding local artist with an attitude like " ...can't be much good if they're from around here". Jeff has definitely benefitted from getting out of town. As for the music, it works as a perfect ally to create what is simply music you need to hear. This is good stuff.
A Little Romance
Great music! If you're in the mood to hear about love (lost, found, or longed for), this is the music to listen to. These guys are great...can't wait to hear more!
The Human Wilderness
I played in a couple of bands with Jeff several (I won't say how many) years ago and he inspired me to use music as an outlet. He has outdone himself this time. The tunes are a excellent mix of pop songs, blues and a little touch of rock-a-billy. Many of them bring back memories of the old neighborhood, but I actually liked the songs before I even got into the lyrics. This should be in everyone's music library (unless your into Pantera). Keep those hits a coming. Fast-n-Bulbous forever!
The Human Wilderness
This cd was released back in 1996. It is now 1998, and people are just starting to realize how good this really is. I play it at work in a music store in Nashville, and everyone who has heard it has liked it. It doesn't matter if you like rock, country, blues, whatever. This cd blends it all together for a great sound. If you don't have it yet, get it. You need to know what you've been missing.A Little Romance
Great CD - Buy it if you can find it This CD from singer-songwriter Jeff Smith is great. It combines Jeff's clever songwriting and musical skill with high quality, high-energy musical backing. All the vocals are strong, and his Band of Steves showcase their musical talent. Musical and visual images of lost loves, better days, and a misspent youth are conjured up with a style that may remind you of John Prine, Ray Davies, or early Bruce Springsteen. The title song has to be myfavorite.
Harvester Performance Center 6/27/14
"Smither opened by praising Jeff's music and the crowd spontaneously erupted in a lengthy applause for Smith.
- JVW
Harvester Performance Center 6/28/14 -
"The show was great.I loved it" - Sue Hill WYTI radio RM VA
Live Performance 6/30/15
"Only One Thing you can do here for fun; sit around and watch this town eat it's young."
Audience participation was encouraged. Great show last night. Jeff had toes tap pin' and
heads bobbin' with his mix of blues, rock & roll, story telling and humor.
Ron Goad VP Songwriter’s Association of Washington
REVIEW: THE HUMAN WILDERNESS
Jeff Smith represents a segment of musicians that is of a dying breed: the singer/songwriter/storyteller. In today’s musical landscape, his debut album, The Human Wilderness, is as welcome as a roadside diner on a lonely highway, and his self- penned and heartfelt songs about life in small town USA, are true masterpieces of American music.
While being backed by a phenomenal group of musicians(members of Smith’s backing band include past and present personnel of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s band), Jeff Smith lays down some rockin’ uptempo grooves in the tradition of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen or Steve Earle. This record has extremely strong lyrical content, with a poeticality. Smith makes very strong use of imagery, and as he tells his stories, I could’ve sworn that I was there watching them unfold . also, this record has a strong roots influence, hearing country, bluegrass,blues, and rockabilly vibes throughout.
Inclusively, some of the tracks like “I Never Wanted You to Go”, are stripped down to their bare essentials, just Smith and an acoustic guitar, which really sucks you in to pay attention the strong lyrical content. On “You” we are treated more poetic lyricism along with a great hook, accentuated by a subtle Hammond B3 organ. Another great track is “Happy Now,” a story about a woman struggling with her inner demons, and winning. “Bad News” and “Me and My Daddy” really portray life in a small town, a portrayal of everybody knowing everybody, and the ever present small town rumor mill; and the bluegrass feel of “Me and My Daddy” is the simple story of a man reminiscing about fishing on the Ohio River. “Hideaway Rockin’,” being the rowdiest cut on the disc, evokes images the blue collar Saturday night watering hole, complete with a rock’n’roll band and back seat in the parking lot escapades. The title cut, “The Human Wilderness,” has a country-fried uptempo blues vibe. but the real winner is the “The Human Wilderness” (Reprise) cut which features Jeff Smith putting down some acoustic slide guitar with a great Delta blues feel.
This is one of those records that you can listen to either driving down the highway, or just sitting on the couch with your feet up, while popping the top on a tall cold one. If you’re a fan of good rock’n’roll or roots music, or you just like to hear well written songs, I highly recommend you pick up Jeff Smith’s “The Human Wilderness.”
- String King- Las Vegas Music Scene V2#4