Music review: Jimmy Buffett — ‘Songs from St. Somewhere’
Rhodes
Associated Press
This CD cover image released by Mailboat Records shows 鈥淪ongs from St. Somewhere,鈥� by Jimmy Buffett.
Parrotheads everywhere are celebrating the release of Jimmy Buffett鈥檚 new album. Not that devoted Buffett fans need a reason to party, but 鈥淪ongs from St. Somewhere鈥� will surely add to the list of tropical, laidback and fun-loving arrangements that Buffett has so masterfully crafted over his 43-year career.
With summer coming to a close, it won鈥檛 be long until the chilling temperatures of a southwestern Pennsylvania winter pay an extended visit.
No other artist has been better over the years at creating a tropical paradise from sun-drench ditties, Caribbean party anthems and sentimental offerings on living and dying in three-quarter time.
I confess that I鈥檓 not the typical Buffett fan. My most cherished offerings from the son of a son of a sailor have always been 1981鈥檚 鈥淐oconut Telegraph鈥� and 1983鈥檚 鈥淥ne Particular Harbour.鈥� As
I鈥檝e said before, I prefer my Buffett tunes with a little less Key West flavoring and a little more Alabama soul.
Buffett follows up 2009鈥檚 鈥淏uffet Hotel鈥� with another strong set of 15 new arrangements and a special bonus track.
The album鈥檚 first single, 鈥淭oo Drunk to Karaoke,鈥� is a rowdy duet with Toby Keith and a reunion with the country star from Buffett鈥檚 鈥淟icense to Chill,鈥� that featured the pair on the similarly rambunctious 鈥淧iece of Work.鈥�
Sentimental charmers like 鈥淪omethin鈥� 鈥楤out a Boat,鈥� 鈥淭ides鈥� and 鈥淪oulfully鈥� demonstrate that the singer-songwriter is still in fine form.
Perhaps the best tune of the bunch is the tenderly smooth and witty 鈥淓instein was a Surfer,鈥� as Buffett croons fluidly and comforting as on older classics like 鈥淗e Went to Paris鈥� and 鈥淎 Pirate Looks at Forty.鈥�
Perhaps Buffett is now looking at life at the age of 66 on the reflective
鈥淥ldest Surfer on the Beach,鈥�
featuring guitarist Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) as Buffett sings about letting go of past regrets and focusing on the precious moments of today.
One of the most interesting tracks on the album is the final track 鈥淚 Want to Go Back to Cartagena.鈥�
This bonus version features Buffett performing with the Colombian singer Fanny Lu.
Closing out the album with a Spanish flair, the sexy Latin singer playfully whispers, 鈥淛immy, I love you.鈥� Who doesn鈥檛 love Buffett?
It鈥檚 still good to know that the man who put Margaritaville on the map still can make a big splash musically. Buffett shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon as he continues to work hard as a musician, a writer and performer.
Buffett鈥檚 Broadway musical, 鈥淏ig Fish,鈥� is set to open Oct. 6 in New York City.