Jimmy's "live" singing

Midnight Flyer · Post by **Midnight Flyer** » July 7, 2005 5:49 pm

He sings flat, can't remember the words to his own songs, can't even remember his band members' names on occasion.

I don't think he's gonna make it.

DeactiveCarib · Post by **DeactiveCarib** » July 7, 2005 6:31 pm

I'm listening to "Island" right now. . .he's got a great voice!!

sailingagain · Post by **sailingagain** » July 7, 2005 7:39 pm

I can't sing, but I can nail Jimmy's songs during karaoke. That's a sure sign that he doesn't have a strong voice.

SeattleParrotHead · Post by **SeattleParrotHead** » July 7, 2005 7:43 pm

I don't listen to JB 'cuz he's a great singer, I listen to him 'cuz he's a great story teller and one hell of an entertainer. Or, as he sez . . . . A shameless performer!

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » July 7, 2005 9:48 pm

James William wrote:I think when JB is performing a solo act he "sings" his songs more than what he does in the big show....I think in this type of music you don't have to have the greatest voice. I think the writing, the image and the love of the tropical lifestyle drives someone to this music. Guys like Jim Morris and other PH artist including myself don't have the greatest voices in the world,but can write the tunes you want to hear.

When I was about 20 (about 30 years ago), I wandered into this little bar in Traverse City, MI one summer evening with a couple instruments. I asked the solo performer during a break if he'd mind if I backed him up for a song or two. He said sure, and I ended up doing about half a set with him. I didn't sing a note, just backed him up and took a few solos. At the bar after the set was over, he bought me a beer and asked if I'd like to sing harmony on a song or two - I knew a lot of his set. I told him no thanks, I didn't sing. He was not sober, but he looked me right in the eye and said something that changed my music life forever. He said, "Listen, man, if Dylan can do it, you can do it." Next set, fortified by a couple beers, I sang choruses with him on a couple songs, and I've never looked back. Thank you, whoever you were. He was right - sing it like you've lived it, do your best, don't worry about how good you sound, and above all, ENJOY THYSELF, because ultimately, your audience wants to share in your enjoyment. Jimmy's got that ability to draw you in and send you through the roof like few performers I've ever seen, and he's my all-time favorite all-round artist. And I happen to like his voice a lot - not for its quality, but for the good feelings I get when I hear him sing his songs. I also suspect that James William is correct when he speculates that JB sings differently in intimate, solo gigs than he does at the big shows - nothing to do with ability, but with choice. For me, the cake would be iced if Jimmy chose to put more of that intimate style of singing into his big shows. But I'll keep on enjoying him regardless. Off-topic, I got to hear Robbie Greenidge play his steel drums solo and live last Sunday in my home state of WV, and he was jaw-droppingly amazing. I may be taking up a new instrument at the old-fart age of 49. Wee-hah!

captainjoe · Post by **captainjoe** » July 7, 2005 11:07 pm

I think poeple who hear JB sing, think that they are just as good of a singer when singing along with Jimmy. His voice does not intimidate the listener.

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » July 7, 2005 11:10 pm

What I've noticed about live performances and Jimmy's voice is that his high range isn't as affected as his low range. On many songs he sings a third or fifth higher than the original recordings on the low notes (or speaks them) as they are harder to hit -- especially if he is trying to sing and project over the full band. If he's doing an acoustic set with little instrumentation behind him I think you get a lot more vocal quality; he did a great job on "He Went to Paris" at the end of the Pittsburgh show when he didn't have to try and out-power the full band.

All that said, he is a magician as a performer and storyteller.

tikitatas · Post by **tikitatas** » July 7, 2005 11:12 pm

Two words:

Gimme Jimmy.

blank1127 · Post by **blank1127** » July 8, 2005 1:56 am

Recently, me and my Mom were doing some painting, and I threw TTS in the CD player. After a couple songs, she said "you know, they'd go see him no matter what he sounded like." Which is true, but I responded with "He is a true entertainer." Jimmy's said before that one of his greatest strengths is working a crowd. He's great at establishing a repertoire with the audience, and makes the shows feel more intimate, which is quite a feat considering they're always sold out. Hell, I have friends who can probably sing better than him, but having a great voice is only part of being an entertainer. Fortunately for all us Parrotheads, Jimmy realized his weakness in the vocal department, and made up for it with great song writing, and learning to play to an audience. If not for the latter two attributes, plus a solid work ethic, he probably wouldn't be where he is today.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » July 8, 2005 4:22 pm

Roger that

phip_88 · Post by **phip_88** » July 8, 2005 6:34 pm

Hello everyone!! I agree that JB isn't a fantastic singer, but makes up for it as an entertainer. The truth is, Jimmy Buffett is the greatest songwriter ever to walk the face of the earth. Jimmy has poured alot of his life into the music we love and adore and I think that is what people like.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » July 8, 2005 7:19 pm

phip_88 wrote:Hello everyone!! I agree that JB isn't a fantastic singer, but makes up for it as an entertainer. The truth is, Jimmy Buffett is the greatest songwriter ever to walk the face of the earth. Jimmy has poured alot of his life into the music we love and adore and I think that is what people like.

Well, I guess Cole Porter will have to settle for runner-up

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » July 8, 2005 7:33 pm

I agree with Tiki Bar

that scares the sh!t outta me.. DRINK MORE..

Seriously, I thought his voice on LTC sounded the best it's ever sounded. If you listen to his earlier stuff, I mean really listen, his voice sucked! but what a story teller then and now ??

Anyway.. Fins up and tequila down

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » July 8, 2005 7:43 pm

Most artists we think of as singer/songwriters don't have great voices. Ex. James Taylor, Bob Dylan, JB, even Eric Clapton. That's not why we love them. We love them for the story they tell, for the feeling they give us. It's why I've often said that musical success doesn't hinge solely on musical talent. It's a combination of charisma, presence, the song, hard work and what you do with the opportunities given you. The ability to put all that together is actually the talent needed for success. There are tons of lounge singers with better voices then Jimmy I'd imagine.

phip_88 · Post by **phip_88** » July 8, 2005 11:32 pm

OceanCityGirl wrote:Most artists we think of as singer/songwriters don't have great voices. Ex. James Taylor, Bob Dylan, JB, even Eric Clapton. That's not why we love them. We love them for the story they tell, for the feeling they give us. It's why I've often said that musical success doesn't hinge solely on musical talent. It's a combination of charisma, presence, the song, hard work and what you do with the opportunities given you. The ability to put all that together is actually the talent needed for success. There are tons of lounge singers with better voices then Jimmy I'd imagine.

How true, how true

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » July 9, 2005 12:06 am

12vmanRick wrote:I agree with Tiki Bar that scares the sh!t outta me.. DRINK MORE..

Seems a fitting time to tell you I like the flashy new avatar!

SuperTrooper · Post by **SuperTrooper** » July 9, 2005 7:34 am

At least when you go to see Jimmy you are hearing JIMMY LIVE!

Lots of artists now are singing through recorded tracks at their performances. If the music sounds to good to be true then you can bet it isn't completely live. It' hard to keep up strong, clear vocals all the way through a 28 song show unless you are a highly trained opera singer. I expect lesser quality vocals at a live concert. I go for the "experience" of the artist live.

PA PAR8 HED · Post by **PA PAR8 HED** » July 11, 2005 9:02 am

I'd rather see an OK singer bring it and enjoy themselves on stage than see a great singer mail it in.

aeroparrot · Post by **aeroparrot** » July 11, 2005 9:38 am

The way I see it is if I am going to pay $60 or so for a ticket, I would rather hear the preformer sing live NOT lipsync so if JB doesn't have the voice he had a few years ago, that's fine.

pfopma · Post by **pfopma** » July 11, 2005 9:46 am

Jimmy's shouting the lyrics has also bothered me more so since all the recent live recordings have come out. You don't really notice at the shows when you are there because your just having way too much fun. I wonder if he feels he has to shout to be heard over the band and the crowd. Maybe it is a subconsious thing and he doesn't realize he is doing it. My favorite parts of shows have always been the acoustic sets. His voice always sounds better in those sets. I've attended 2 Buffett acoustic shows and they are both my favortie JB concerts. I love the Coral Reefers and the energy level at the BIG shows but personally I would love to see Jimmy do more acoustic shows down the road. This type of show really showcases his voice and his talent for storytelling.

Pat