Jimmy's Peak Has Run Its Course?

[HurricaneSeason]

So does anyone think Jimmy has passed a peak? He's had 3 of them musically - the late 1970s, the mid 1990s and then in the early 2000s with Meet Me In Margaritaville making it to #9, 5 O'Clock and LTC making #1, with Take The Weather making it to #4.

Then you have the books. They had their own life, with the first three of the five big books reaching #1. Since then they've not sold nearly as well (certainly not made it to #1).

It just seems that something has sort of relaxed a bit, especially with Buffet Hotel being issued as if it was just another Live In Wherever album. Not that it really matters. It's just sort of interesting in a philanthropic kind of way (I guess, don't know if that's the correct word but it sounds right ha ha).

[bestseller92]

I think one reason "BH" "only" debuted at #17 is due to the time of year. Lots of albums have increased sales during the weeks leading up to Christmas and that makes it harder for others to climb the charts as much.

"BH" sold over 68,000 copies in its first week, which most weeks would have been good for a top ten if not top five debut. A few years ago Johnny Cash's last album (I forget the title right now) debuted at #1 with first week sales of only 88,000.

All of which means I wouldn't call "BH" a disappointment unless its sales drop off dramatically in the weeks to come.

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

Chart statistics mean absolutely nothing to me. The only thing that really matters to me as far as this new album is concerned is whether I like it or not. It's playing in heavy rotation in the CD player lately, so I love it. No more analyzing or thinking necessary.

[HurricaneSeason]

I don't care personally. It's just an observation. Just wanted to get other thoughts about it.

[changingchannels]

just my opinion. in terms of his songwriting i would say yes. the good songs are much farther in between then they used to be. in terms of his concerts, its starting to show as well. when you shape your shows around a formula of: hot,hot,hot,the yellow album,one particular harbor, southern cross,brown eyed girl, 2-3 more obscure songs, and 1 or 2 additional covers that only pertain to that tour at some point it gets old and lacks creativity.regardless of the economic situation he has control over ticket prices and where he plays. he cancelled shows this year and there were plenty that werent sellouts.these days he is more intersted in his business ventures that have nothing to do with songs or touring. in my opinion he needs to embrace his entire catalog of music, respond fairly to the economic downturn by not cancelling shows but by making it more affordable to his enormously loyal legion of fans.

p.s. i could care less about album,book,and touring sales. thats what business people care about.some of his best material is on albums that didnt sell well.

[ccmatt]

Yeah, in my opinion he has peaked. About 4 years ago.

[tully mars]

I don't think Buffet Hotel is very good. I hope it grows on me, but as of now I don't like it. The last one, "Take the Weather with you" was fair, not great, but worth owning. What I would like is another "Far Side Of The World" , that album was a great effort. I thought it was his best in the past twenty years or so!

[TropicalTroubador]

As long as he's still having fun and people keep buying albums and concert tickets, does it really matter?

[a1aara]

I would say Jimmy is doing fine. No one is selling albums(cds) the way they use to. Modern technology has changed all that. Jimmy is smart. He is getting a bigger cut of the pie because he took control of nearly everything. I heard the Insane Clown Possee praising Jimmy for being a pioneer at taking control of his music with his own label. He gets a lot of respect around the industry for that. I heard that if Jimmy sales around 250,000 units that is just like selling 1 million for a major label....profit wise. Jimmy is doing fine. I like Buffet Hotel & and I liked "Take The Weather With You".

[citcat]

Which peak ? The almost 40 year long one or the latest ? I'm thinking he's got more peaks than the Himalayans. Did I spell that right ?

[beantownfan]

Jimmy's last great CD was Fruitcakes...

[HurricaneSeason]

Read what I said at the top. He's had three peaks essentially. It's quite clear that this thread is about his most recent peak, which was all the way at the top back when it still mattered.

Which wasn't very long ago.

Sure, he's had other peaks - like at the bottom with Riddles and Mango. It just seems that with his two recent books not popping at #1 that maybe the ride has eased off a bit. Maybe he's had too much exposure. At least Landshark will return to being Dolphin Stadium when the regular season is over.

[flipflopgirl]

After reading this on the home page...i don't think so!

Jimmy Buffett comes in at number 10 on PollStar’s highest-grossing touring artists of North America for the decade.

10 Jimmy Buffett: Gross $285.8 million; tickets sold 4.5 million

[MDown]

Not in the least...
He's still having fun, cares about his fans, and is a (ph)antastic businessman.

Bring on 2010!

[Cuervo]

Hummmmm........

Peaks ..... Valleys....

Highs ....... Lows.....


Good...... not so good....

Sounds like life

[flipflopgirl]

Hummmmm........

Peaks ..... Valleys....

Highs ....... Lows.....


Good...... not so good....

Sounds like life

don't peaks and valleys = BOOBIES???

[txparrothead29]

Nope, not at all. Given the fact he's 63 and the many varieties of music to listen to these days, I'd say he's doing pretty darn good. Keep it going Jimmy.

[bestseller92]

"BH" has sold just over 110,000 copies in its first two weeks of release. Not too bad.

[Parrotthed]

I actually think he's about to enter a new phase. BH has a few more JB writing credits than past efforts (albeit with co-writers) and the album has a slightly different sound, more mature. I would not be surprised if he decides to finally shake up his concert format of the past few years and give us something different, although I imagine he'll keep "Margaritaville," "Fins" and "Cheeseburger" as part of the repertoire, because a lot of casual fans expect to hear them

[HD18JBGuy]

I heard the Insane Clown Possee praising Jimmy for being a pioneer at taking control of his music with his own label. He gets a lot of respect around the industry for that.

Well if the Insane Clown Possee said something, it must be true and represents the highest authority of music.

Clowns is exactly what those pinheads are (choice of words used for sake of keeping it clean on the forum...I have plenty of other words for those losers). Gaining respect and praise from "ICP" is the last thing I would want as a musician. If they are representative of anything Jimmy, please show me the first exit out of here.

On a side note, not that I am a huge Eminem fan, but I always loved it when Eminem ripped those guys to shreds in his songs. They never stood a chance.