In praise of Jimmy Buffet

shmoo

shmoo

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Although I had sailed once or twice here in the UK, I really got bitten by sailing on the Gulf coast of Texas. This was twenty-odd years ago and most boats and almost every dockside bar echoed to "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes", "Boat Drinks", "Son of a Son of a Sailor" and of course "Cheeseburger in Paradise".

Jimmy Buffet's songs of sailing, fishing, drinking, rascals of a certain age, and younger women seemed to fit the fantasies (if not quite the reality) perfectly.

Jimmy Buffet seems little known here, but I can't be alone in not being able to put "A Pirate Looks at Forty" on the player without reaching for the Sailing Directions.

Or can I?
 
We listen to him frequently to remind ourselves, I suppose, of our cruising days. Every sea side bar from Florida to Texas plays JB or has a band that plays JB tunes. I've probably had a drink in most of them!
I have many of his CD's: 'Somewhere over China', 'Barometer Soup' and 'Beach House on the Moon' are particular favourites. I like the very 'country' album 'A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean' which has on one song the classic line: 'She was a semi-good looker.....' I've met a few women like that!
It's more party music than 'listening' music, but no less laudable for that.
I've never met JB but I have a picture of my best friend standing outside a Key West bar with him, and I know the guy that claims to have given him the line: 'Everybody's got a cousin in Miami' from the Fruitcakes album. He's probably lying.
 
No.... I don't think you can.

shmoo said:
Although I had sailed once or twice here in the UK, I really got bitten by sailing on the Gulf coast of Texas. This was twenty-odd years ago and most boats and almost every dockside bar echoed to "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes", "Boat Drinks", "Son of a Son of a Sailor" and of course "Cheeseburger in Paradise".

Jimmy Buffet's songs of sailing, fishing, drinking, rascals of a certain age, and younger women seemed to fit the fantasies (if not quite the reality) perfectly.

Jimmy Buffet seems little known here, but I can't be alone in not being able to put "A Pirate Looks at Forty" on the player without reaching for the Sailing Directions.

Or can I?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pointing me in the right direction shmoo. :)

 
Margharitiville Cafe...

A good mate's dad is one third owner of the "Margaritaville Cafe" on Key West, with Mr. Buffet being one of the other owners himself...supposedly a great guy in all respects. I usually keep some Buffet on my iPhone for all occasions, but somehow...it just doesn't TRANSLATE as well into UK sailing as it does in the States. I guess that unless you have ever boiled crayfish in a tin bucket and eaten them with Tabasco sitting on a wooden porch over the Gulf...you may not get the whole feeling.

I have. He makes me homesick.
 
Well that's all right then. I can go back to sleep, safe in the knowledge that I am in the company of folk of taste and discernment...
 
Now I am worried

We need a Parrot Head forum...

You cant go to a US boat show without a good dose of Jimmy....

And you are right its one of those things that just does not sound the same in the UK..

As for Margaritaville....Been there and got the T Shirt (literally...)
 
shmoo said:
Well that's all right then. I can go back to sleep, safe in the knowledge that I am in the company of folk of taste and discernment...
Click to expand...

Much of my "At Anchor" playlist is JB - "It's Five o'clock Somewhere" etc, and as per "Far Side Of the World", we keep our boat stocked with 'Rum from the Caribbean and Burgundy from France', even 'tho we're rather more likely to be in Newton Creek than Zanzibar ;->
 
You just have to.

mcframe said:
Much of my "At Anchor" playlist is JB - "It's Five o'clock Somewhere" etc, and as per "Far Side Of the World", we keep our boat stocked with 'Rum from the Caribbean and Burgundy from France', even 'tho we're rather more likely to be in Newton Creek than Zanzibar ;->
Click to expand...


 
Not Known in England!!

One of the many reasons why I find myself sailing alone is the massive collection of Buffet songs on the hard drive the playing of which is not always met with glee by "passengers".
However, Jimmy's basic understanding of the fundamental truths of the human condition should not be ignored, after all, it really is Five O'clock Somewhere, and, for those who recognise the "long version" of Margaritaville, "Those three day vactions become such a bore".

On a more personal note, Jimmy's brother-in-law, the auther Tom McGuane, sails the same piece of the Gulf of Mexico that I do from time to time and has had the decency to comment that a 22foot Romilly ghosting past the McMansions of Florida is so beautiful that the McMansion owners should be willing to pay for the quality inprovement to their views. Given that he said this from the cockpit of Jimmy's beautiful old wooden yawl that Tom was "borrowing" at the time the compliment was much appreciated, even though he then sailed passed me, albeit slowly. (Not a name dropping exercise, simply an example of how polite and civilised people can be when they see a boat as pretty as the Romilly under sail)

If Jimmy's music does not fit too well in our climate, all the more reason to enjoy it during these dismal times, although "He Went To Paris" might be a bit gloomy in this weather.
 
shmoo said:
Jimmy Buffet's songs of sailing, fishing, drinking, rascals of a certain age, and younger women seemed to fit the fantasies (if not quite the reality) perfectly.
Click to expand...

Listen out for Eileen Quinn, the not so well known female version. She is brilliant and has the picture perfectly.
 
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