"After the inconstant Volcano, Jimmy Buffett came back strong with Coconut Telegraph. While he is best known for his upbeat, party tunes, he really knows how to work a ballad. Songs like "Incommunicado", "Stars Fell On Alabama", "Island", "The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful" & the song for his then young daughter, "Little Miss Magic" all show his ability to slow it down and sing with tender care. He didn't write "It's My Job", but he makes it all his own and "Growing Older But Not" perfectly sums up his career. Coconut Telegraph contains songs that may not be recognizable to non-Parrotheads, but one should give it a try, as it is a great album."
"Don't ever start a band..."
Gary Duncan (garykahuna@sprynet.com | Key West, FL | 05/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jimmy yells at the beginning of The Weather is Here,Wish You Were Beautiful" Well, I'm glad you did Bubba, because this is one of his most solid albums. No filler on this one folks. Where Jimmy really shines here is on the ballads. Incommunicado, It's my Job, Island. Jimmy has always said he'd like to do a concert and just sing his ballads, but he thinks the fans wouldn't go for it. Don't underestimate us. To those who can't live without hearing Margaritaville,well they can just stay home! My theme song (well, one of many) is included on Coconut Telegraph. Growing Older But Not Up. Go down to the record store and but this album now! Or just get it here from Amazon (shameless plug):"
Great Album
Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 11/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Around the time of "Coconut Telegraph" Buffett was beginning to leave his hard partying days behind him and becoming a more "mature" artist. Album sales really began to fall off by this time, but "Coconut" remains one of the gems in Buffett's repertoire as the material is strong throughout the disc. Every song on this album is a good one, and a few have become Buffett classics. All of the songs except for two are Buffett originals. "It's My Job" is a great song about people doing various things for a living written by fellow Coral Reefer band member Mac McAnally. "Stars Fell On Alabama" is another cover that fits Buffett's style perfectly. Of the Buffett originals the title track is a great one. "Incommunicado" deals with the death of John Wayne. "Growing Older But Not Up" is classic Buffett with one of his famous lines "I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead. "The Good Fight (Co-written with J.D. Souther) is another strong track. "The Weather Is Here I Wish You Were Beautiful" is a classic Buffett play on words and a fan favorite to this day. The album closes out with the mellow "Island" and a song about his daughter "Little Miss Magic". "Coconut Telegraph" is not an album that you often see mentioned along side some of earlier bigger sellers, but this album really is one of his best."
How could I *NOT* give this five stars?
silica2 | 09/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A fantastic album, both for the hits and for the lesser played songs. I already own several copies of it ... and I'm not even a true parrothead! Also check out: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Son of a Son of a Sailor, A-1-A, and Living and Dying in 3/4 Time, if you like this one. You could simply get a compilation of Jimmy Buffet's greatest hits, but you would miss out on some fantastic songs if you did that. Don't deny yourself the good stuff that comes on an album like this."
A great album
Ei | Seekonk, Massachusetts | 02/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love all Buffett's albums, but this is one my faves. Every song is just perfect Buffett. He is a great song writer, story teller, and just makes me feel relaxed.
This is a great album to listen to when you are sitting on a beach drinking fruity beverages, and watching the sun. Or when it is bitterly cold out and you just want a little bit of warmth, Oh, do I miss the summer....Just putting any Buffett brings summer back to me.
On the whole, I highly recommend this album to all Buffett fans, even nonfans who just want something to chill out to."