Jimmy Buffet has become better known for his roles as a bestselling author and seafaring adventurer than as a songsmith, which is why this 15-song live collection could not have arrived at a better time. Recorded in Nantuc... more »ket, it revives all the charming, affable elements that launched a legion of Parrotheads, a Hawaiian-shirt-wearing following that's come to rival Deadheads for fanaticism. The songs are lush, humorous, and frequently reference the props we've come to expect from Buffett--bikini-clad women, rum drinks, and low-slung hammocks. While not exactly the world's best vocalist, the one-time college cheerleader uses a deft, antic hand to create witty scenarios and sling light-handed barbs aimed at everything from mall culture to his own foibles. The results are curiously captivating. Besides, who can really resist another round of "Margaritaville"? --Jaan Uhelszki« less
Jimmy Buffet has become better known for his roles as a bestselling author and seafaring adventurer than as a songsmith, which is why this 15-song live collection could not have arrived at a better time. Recorded in Nantucket, it revives all the charming, affable elements that launched a legion of Parrotheads, a Hawaiian-shirt-wearing following that's come to rival Deadheads for fanaticism. The songs are lush, humorous, and frequently reference the props we've come to expect from Buffett--bikini-clad women, rum drinks, and low-slung hammocks. While not exactly the world's best vocalist, the one-time college cheerleader uses a deft, antic hand to create witty scenarios and sling light-handed barbs aimed at everything from mall culture to his own foibles. The results are curiously captivating. Besides, who can really resist another round of "Margaritaville"? --Jaan Uhelszki
It's Buffett's THIRD live album, and still great fun
11/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As Jimmy Buffett has said himself, he wants to play some of his earlier songs, but he is too afraid that he'll spoil the party. Well he did a good job fitting in those songs along with the "List of songs that have to be played or be killed."1. Fruitackes: 1st time released as Live recording 7 of 102. Southern Cross: Finally Buffett answers the call of the parrot heads and Recorded it 10 of 103. Pencil Thin Mustache: It's on another live ablum but the crowds reaction adds to the fun 7 of 104. Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season: Buffett finally dug it out of the attic and it's refreshing to see the deeper side of Buffett. 10 of 10 it doesn't sound the greatest, but support Buffett's decision to sing what he wantsTracks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, are all on other live albums10. Brown Eyed Girl: WONDERFUL IT WILL IMPROVE ANYONES DAY, INCREDABLE PERCUSSION, 11 OUT OF 1011. Tin Cup Chalice: Another song dug out of the attic refreshing quiet gives the listener a break from the party. 12. Fins: not an asset to the cd 3 out of 1013. One Particular Harbour: On a previous live album 8 out of 10 14. Margaritaville: Hey it the anthem so it has to be there, however I prefer the "You had to be there" version better 6 out of 1015. Love & Luck: New live song, studio version found on Buffett Boxset only. 7 out of 10Extra's: The backstage footage is wonderful and yes the guys are playing Margaritaville in a minior key,(most likely due to the fact it's not their favorites) Hosted by Savannah Jane, Buffett's oldest daughter. She is who he wrote the song "Little Miss Magic," for. Thank you Savannah, for the tour."
Best Buffett Live Album
11/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunatley, I was not able to attend the Philadelphia Buffett show this past summer, this album makes up for it. It has all of his great classics as well as hard to find stuff such as Southern Cross and a live version of Love and Luck. I liked the vocal solos by Tina Gullickson and Nadirah Shakoor. Plus what can beat a lost verse of Margaritaville."
Not the best I've heard
Mary Ann | 11/19/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a huge fan of Buffett since I was 16 years old and I have loved all of the new releases Jimmy has come out with. I really like this one, but the fact that it has all the same songs kind of makes it not much different than the others. The new songs that he added that are not common on these albums are great, but I would personally like to see Jimmy come out with an album that included many of the not so classics songs. I am talking about the songs that are always there. I know the are the classics but, Cheeseburger, Valcano, and the others are all you ever here. To really give the experience of being at a live show I think there needs to be the lesser known songs that you only here at the concerts. I think Southern Cross and Brown Eyed Girl are perfect examples. I love the album because it is Buffett, but I think I would rather hear a cd where over half of the songs aren't the same ones on the last two live albums. If there are any responses to this please let me know. I"
Excellent live CD - on par with his others.
Mary Ann | Portsmouth, OH | 11/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think there are some subtle differences in the classics (music arrangements) than in previous live recordings which makes them interesting. The lesser-known songs are done well and, it goes without saying that his covers of Southern Cross and Brown-Eyed Girl are excellent! Southern Cross has been getting quite a bit of air play around here since the release of the CD. Keep them coming Jimmy--you're not getting older, you're getting better!"
Can't help but be in a good mood after listening to this
Mary Ann | 07/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jimmy Buffet? Who's he? I couldn't believe that when a coworker asked that question, but yes there are people out there who haven't heard of him( they live under rocks, forgive them), what is worse is that there are people out there who don't get him. I ask what is there to get? The man makes music, great music. Music that you can't help but sing along to, that you can't help but smile when you hear. "Is that man singing about a cheeseburger?" YES, yes he is! I gave up on her, I realilzed that while she may be a 'fruitcake', she'd never appreciate the song by the same title, but hopefully others out there will. I think one of the greatest things about Jimmy, besides the fact that he has a wonderful song writing ability, is that he actually sounds like he does. What? Yes I suppose that does need a bit explaining. In person or on the album he sounds the same. So many people put out albums (studio albums) and sound a certain way, but on a live album or in concert they sound completely different (usually horrible) but with Jimmy what you hear is what you will always hear aka great music. I love his live albums (this being number 3, unfortunatley he has so many great songs he can only put so many on each.) I love his selections for this album, yes he has the old reliables, margaritaville (yeah like he'd ever try to release a live album without that, you dont drop your signature song) cheeseburger in paradise, fins and volcano, but he also had some nice surprises. Tin Cup Chalice and One Particular Harbour are two of my favorite songs and I was thrilled to see them on the CD. Southern Cross was another surprise that blew me away, not to mention Fruitcakes and (yes I love this song) Coconut Telegraph, both of which sound better live than the studio recordings...well strike that, everything he does actually sounds better live. The man has 30+ cds...and personally I hope he comes out with another 30. Jimmy fans will snap this one up without a second thought, but if you are like my coworker ('Jimmy Buffet who?') then this is a great CD to pick up as an introduction to a true american treasure, just be prepared to smile and sing along, you wont be able to help it."