Want to know what album to get?

CoconutPete · Post by **CoconutPete** » April 11, 2005 2:55 pm

Hey there. I'm nineteen years old, and just went to my first Jimmy Buffett concert for my birthday (anaheim pond on the 7th). I've always LIKED his music, but after going to the show the other night I've been wanting to buy one of his CD's. People say I'm too young to listen to him, and that his albums dont compare to his live shows.
However I surf alot for fun, and have always been drawn to the tropical atmosphere he sings about. My favorite songs of his are "son of a son of a sailor" and "a pirate looks at forty".
What album do you all think I should go out and buy?

fairhopeparrot · Post by **fairhopeparrot** » April 11, 2005 3:06 pm

The first album I bought was Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays. It has everything popular you would want to start off your Buffett collection. Next, I would spend a little extra and buy Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads. Look on ebay for that one. I got mine at Wal-Mart and could have paid less for it on ebay. That is just my thoughts.

P.S. You are not too young to listen to Buffett. I'm one of the younger ones on this board (23) and their are several around your age and younger who can relate.

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » April 11, 2005 3:09 pm

If you can find it, pick up "You Had To Be There". Its a live recording from 1978.

If you want a studio CD, my preferences are "A1A" and "Riddles In The Sand".

Welcome to the boards and good luck on your hunt.

LMC · Post by **LMC** » April 11, 2005 3:12 pm

For a starter CD I would recommend Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It has his popluar songs from Songs You Know By Heart but also has some treasure's you should know by heart. Great starter album with energy since it's live.

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » April 11, 2005 3:35 pm

Meet Me in Margaritaville is a 2 disc compilation possibility...

Also, Live in Hawaii is in our Sam's Club for around $12 - great recent live one!

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » April 11, 2005 3:44 pm

Another good place to find Buffett Albums is on Ebay... I decided to finally replace albums , cassettes and...ok 8 tracks too, so I went to ebay. I bought all 10 that I needed... pre 90s for $5-$6 each! Pretty decent deal for new CDs.

We all have our favorites.... I can't think of one I don't like. Just dont forget Coconut Telegraph and Barometer Soup!

Beach, Bars,Ballads & Boats (the 4 disc set) is a good place to start as well.

You arent too young to enjoy Buffett... I was 17 when I went to my first concert! Jimmy was maybe 30 ish!!

tdparrothead · Post by **tdparrothead** » April 11, 2005 4:19 pm

Nobody's too young for Jimmy. I'd go with Meet Me in Margaritaville or any of the live cds. Getting into studio albums I'd say A1A, CILCIA, Coconut Telegraph, Floridays, Fruitcakes, and Barometer Soup are good places to start.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » April 11, 2005 4:51 pm

Feeding Frenzy (it's a live album). And it has many of the songs you know and like.

PARROT HEAD MIKE · Post by **PARROT HEAD MIKE** » April 11, 2005 5:06 pm

blackjack wrote:Feeding Frenzy (it's a live album). And it has many of the songs you know and like.

I was thinking that, Whit Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean or A1A

Parrot Monkey · Post by **Parrot Monkey** » April 11, 2005 5:19 pm

I agree that if you don’t have anything yet, begin with a compilation or a live album.

Word of caution: If you want to experience the classic albums (up to 1985), I would seek out the vinyl records. True, you will have to search a bit and/or be an eBay member, but it’s well worth it. Not only is it a cheaper method (for the most part) to collect all the recordings, but the sound quality is so much better on the records, and I’m dead serious. Maybe I’m just spoiled by a $350+ turntable and almost scratchless copies of four albums, but I can confirm that the sound is of much better quality, and you get much, much better packaging and complete liner notes. The CD releases are just plain awful for the early albums, as they are not remastered and don’t replicate any of the packaging. I would wait on owning the old stuff (outside of compilations) on the digital format until re-releases come along. For a CD to truly sound better than a record, the recordings must be remastered (and done right). Just transferring the material to a format that doesn’t wear or make background noise doesn’t insantly make it sound better.

With all the “burdens” of formats aside, I would base which albums you buy on what type of music you’re into. The classic Jimmy sound is featured in albums such as A-1-A, Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes, Son of a Son of a Sailor, Volcano, Coconut Telegraph, Fruitcakes, Barometer Soup and Banana Wind. For good country or a country flavored sound, go for A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean, Living and Dying in ¾ Time, Riddles in the Sand or License to Chill. Believe it or not, Jimmy even offers Dylanesque folk music in his first two albums, Down To Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee, and if your simply into Jimmy for the party element, these two just won’t be your cup of tea.

And don’t think you're too young for Jimmy. I’m 17 and look at the obsessive level I’m at!

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » April 11, 2005 7:24 pm

Parrot Monkey wrote:And don’t think you're too young for Jimmy. I’m 17 and look at the obsessive level I’m at!

What an understatement.

Jason Mason · Post by **Jason Mason** » April 11, 2005 7:58 pm

My favorite album is of course, A1A, followed by Fruicakes, then Barometer Soup. If you like A Pirate Looks At 40, get A1A

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » April 11, 2005 8:06 pm

buy them all

Studio:
A1A, Floridays, Barometer Soup, FSOTW

Live:
YHTBT, TT&S, FF

and don't forget the Box set BBB&B

cartmill72 · Post by **cartmill72** » April 11, 2005 9:27 pm

Welcome to our crazy world. Buffett was always played around my house, but I really got into his music in the 80s as a teenager. So, I too can relate (although, that was 16+ years ago).

So, what about the albums:

70s: A1A
80s: Floridays
90s: Fruitcakes
00s: Far Side Of The World

Compilations: Meet Me In Margaritaville

Live: Any of the "Live In" series from the Tiki Time tour

Unfortunately, we'll have to hunt you down and hurt you if you buy Songs You Know By Heart. (Okay, just kidding. Its not a bad place to start, but not needed if you opt for MMIM).

Have fun discovering JB's music.

Got Margaritas? · Post by **Got Margaritas?** » April 11, 2005 9:27 pm

I think Meet me in Margaritaville (2 disc set) has a nice mix of songs on it to get the general parrothead vibe.

It's always in my car.

big hat carmen · Post by **big hat carmen** » April 11, 2005 10:09 pm

My vote goes to Floridays, some classic songs.

Pirate Lookin' at 40 · Post by **Pirate Lookin' at 40** » April 11, 2005 10:26 pm

DO NOT go with a greatest hits or live CD first.

A1A, hands down, is the first one you need to get. If you don't like it, then go buy Songs you Know by heart and be a casual fan. But, trust me on this one, A1A is the best way to go. After that, AWSP, 3/4 time, Volcano and Floridays.
BUT START WITH A1A!!!

Also, when you go live, I would go with "you had to be there", "feeding frenzy" and then "tuesdays, thursdays and saturdays".

And as someone else said, you are not to young to start getting into Buffett. My daughter is not 3 years old yet and is already a parrothead.

Welcome to the club.

Pirate Lookin' at 40 · Post by **Pirate Lookin' at 40** » April 11, 2005 10:30 pm

Also, you may try going to limewire and just downloading a variety of his songs. Then find out which albums the songs you like best are on and start there. After all, we all have different taste here and what I may like, you may not like as well. Just remember, the worst Buffett song is better than the best _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ song.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » April 11, 2005 11:10 pm

Raid BMG... Get all they have.. also they
at Christmas have a sale on Box sets
Like 24$ for BBBand B

Lightning Bolt · Post by **Lightning Bolt** » April 11, 2005 11:33 pm

Pirate Lookin' at 40 wrote:Also, you may try going to limewire and just downloading a variety of his songs.

That's just great!

Encourage the young person to engage in illegal downloading

If I wasn't wearing my bootleg 2005 SPL Tour T-shirt (that I scored outside The Pond the other night for $8

),
I'd be pretty worked up right about now, you betcha!

BTW, You Had To Be There is essential for the new Buffett fan, (along with T,Th,and Sats) to remember what a great time you had at the show!!