Music
Press
"'MY BEST FRIEND' is a subtle, smooth, spirit-lifting rock album that runs the gamut from quiet and thoughtful pieces to full-force, in-your-face blasters. Like Alejandro Escovedo so often does, Raj gets well beneath the surface lyrically in probing the complexities of humankind and the conundrums of daily existence and our relationships with each other. MY BEST FRIEND is Everyman's rock music."
--Rockzilla.net, September, 2001
- William Michael Smith
"(MY BEST FRIEND) is a gem that deserves attention. Raj is an artist of great talent as he displays with his new release . . . this excellent debut album has definite crossover appeal."
--Larry Weir, New Music Weekly, August, 2001
- Larry Weir
"Raj is an intricate lyricist and sparkling storyteller, a jack-of-all-trades, the songs vary widely from jangly folk rock to decadent rhythmic grooves."
--Heidi Ferguson,
The Rami Lounge www.ramijaffee.com
October, 2001
- Heidi Ferguson
"A cross between Zevon, Dylan and Petty, Smith’s songs capture a mood. A polished collection of songs, we admire his craft."
--Music Connection
- Jonathan Kidmore
Discography
MY BEST FRIEND (2001)
NATIONAL BOULEVARD (1997)
Available on Big Rock Records.
SINGLES:
"Now You're The Enemy" (2000-2001)
Streaming Top 20 MP3 Power Pop chart.
"(I Got So) Deep With You" (2000-2001)
Streaming Top 20 MP3 Groove chart.
"Taste Your Tears" (2000-2001)
Streaming Top 40 MP3 AAA chart.
"Upside Down" (2000-2001)
Streaming Top 80 MP3 Alternative General chart.
"Some Things 'R Better Left Unsaid" (1998) Streaming Top 10 MP3 Folk Rock chart.
"If I Can Just Stop Falling" (1998)
Streaming Top 20 MP3 Grunge chart.
"Mighty River" (1998)
Streaming Top 40 MP3 AAA chart.
Photos
Bio
I am a singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist, and have an absolute mad-passion for performing, recording and collaboration. I perform solo, with an acoustic group and a full electric band and I play as long as they let me. My influences are many and varied--Dylan, Beatles, Stones, Peter Gabriel, Bob Marley, U2, Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens on through Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, yet there are so many more. I always put 200% of myself into my shows and love the drama, excitement and pure energy of putting on a good rock show. I love playing with a band, but I also really enjoy doing the solo acoustic thing, you're so naked and raw to the world. My ideal show would allow me to play many instruments and rotate with band members, I would play piano, organ, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, mouth harp, whatever, to add to the scope of the show. On certain occasions perhaps, but it's always fun to burn through a tight set on your Martin.
www.rogerlensmith.com
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