The White Buffalo – On The Widow’s Walk (2020)
Released on April 17, 2020, On The Widow’s Walk is the seventh studio album by American Americana singer‑songwriter The White Buffalo (Jake Smith). It’s a narrative‑driven, emotionally rich record that blends roots rock, folk, blues, and country influences with cinematic songwriting and introspection.
Produced by Shooter Jennings (son of outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings), the album features fuller band arrangements and a raw live‑in‑room feel that underscores Smith’s gravelly baritone and evocative storytelling.
Album Credits
Artist: The White Buffalo (Jake Smith)
Label: Snakefarm Records / Universal Music Operations
Released: April 17, 2020
Genre: Americana · Roots Rock · Folk · Blues
Producer: Shooter Jennings
Musicians (key):
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The White Buffalo – writing, vocals, guitar
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Shooter Jennings – piano & keys, producer
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Matt Lynott – drums, percussion
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Christopher Hoffee – guitar & bass
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Ted Russell Kamp – bass
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John Schreffler Jr. – guitar
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Mark Rains – sound engineer
The recording approach emphasized minimal retakes and capturing performances in a live setting, giving the album a raw and organic energy.
Album Tracklist
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Problem Solution
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The Drifter
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No History
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Sycamore
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Come On Shorty
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Cursive
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Faster Than Fire
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Widow’s Walk
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River of Love and Loss
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The Rapture
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I Don’t Know a Thing About Love
(Deluxe editions may include bonus tracks.)
Musical Style & Themes
On The Widow’s Walk blends Americana storytelling with thematic depth and musical variety. The songs explore:
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Personal struggle and emotional survival
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Longing, love, and loss
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Inner conflict and moral ambiguity
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Life’s unpredictable forces and human resilience
The title concept originally drew inspiration from the architectural “widow’s walk” platforms on coastal homes—places where sailors’ wives once watched the sea for returning husbands—but the album evolved into a broader emotional journey rather than a strict concept record.
Smith described certain tracks as reflections on mental states (Problem Solution explores heartbreak and self‑doubt before resolution), while others examine the impact of modern life (Cursive), nature’s power (Faster Than Fire), and intense inner turmoil (The Rapture).
Stylistically, the record traverses:
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Folk and roots instrumentation
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Blues‑leaning vocals and grooves
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Rock‑energized anthems
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Soulful balladry
This range keeps the album emotionally rich and musically varied, yet unified by Smith’s distinctive voice and lyrical focus.
Artwork & Visual Identity
The album’s visual themes (across editions) evoke mood and atmosphere that reflect the juxtaposition of longing and reflection present in the music—suggestive of weathered landscapes, emotional horizons, and narrative depth.
Reception & Impact
On The Widow’s Walk was well received within Americana and roots communities, praised for its emotional resonance and strong songwriting, with critics noting the strength of both slower, reflective tracks and dynamic rock‑infused numbers.
It became one of the best‑selling Americana/Bluegrass albums of 2020 on genre‑specific charts and further cemented The White Buffalo’s reputation as a compelling modern storyteller.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎶 1. Live‑Feel Recording
The album was recorded with minimal overdubs, capturing performances largely live in the studio for natural energy and authenticity.
🌊 2. Title Origin
The concept of a “widow’s walk” refers to seaside platforms once used by families to watch for returning sailors—evoking longing and uncertainty, themes carried through the lyrics.
🎹 3. Shooter Jennings Collaboration
Producer Shooter Jennings also played piano and keys on the album, contributing significantly to its sonic texture.
🎤 4. Dark & Light Mix
The album mixes introspective ballads with more intense, rocking moments, balancing dark emotional terrain with uplifting resolves.
