Smyth Jeffry - I Play Guitar (2013)

Draped over a remarkable band with background vocalists, Smyth Jeffry’s formidable guitar playing, sturdy vocal skills, and journeyman songwriting take center stage in this release. Electric or acoustic, Jeffry is at home on every axe and leads the way with his command of the six strings.

Jeffry explores wide terrain on I Play Guitar both emotionally and musically. Songs range from reflection (Father Sky) to love lost (of course), to celebration (Stand Up!). You’ll hear insecure longing in “This Will Be My People”, and you might hear shades of Elton John in Mark Stalling’s piano break. The playful “Likes of Me” shows an almost country flavor and Jeffry proves the point by donning his 5-string banjo (for its debut) to add color to the song. The record even features a favored co-writer Holly Russ Johnson on lead vocals singing “Flyin’ Time” as Jeffry takes to the lead guitar. Closing the record with hopefulness (and unveiling Jeffry’s jazz leaning) is the samba “Little Red Boat”. It should bring a smile.