Is Jimmy in danger of becoming a nostalgia/novelty act?

ConchRepublican · Post by **ConchRepublican** » September 21, 2007 9:44 am

Don't get me wrong, I like the nod to artists he admires and respects. I think by him shining some light on those he appeciates, he opens the door to their work for others.

Thing is, lately he's dropping more and more of these things into his shows, which could soon start leaning towards a tribute show. The last two shows he did at the Garden included:

On the Road Again - both nights
Brown Eyed Girl - both nights
Scarlet Begonias - both nights
Southern Cross - both nights
In My Room - one night
Dixie Chicken - one night
Glory Days - one night

Considering his extensive catalogue, and the odd choices he makes pushing some songs (Elvis, EOTP and Reggaebilly (IMHO)) these songs are taking away from classics which could really make his show special.

Every once and a while? Fine. A nod to those who don't perform anymore? Great, I love the Beach Boys, that's cool. Something from a local talent you appreciate? Cool, bring on Henry. Break open the vault for something you think we should hear/know? Excellent, thanks for Everybody's Talkin. I think he's becoming a victim of his own excess though. A couple of these are fine, all in one show? C'mon now. I know, I know, BEG and Southern Cross and almost his songs now, but still . . .

Jimmy! We love your music, we love your appreciation for others work and we love that you share it with us. But please . . . dilute it a little bit. Either that or just take the circus with you and make it Jimmy-palooza so THEY can play their stuff and we can hear you play YOUR stuff.

The Captain and the Kid? Manana? Last Mango? Cowboy? Lone Palm? Woman Goin Crazy? Banana Republics? Lage Nom Ai? Wino and I Know? Defying Gravity? Nautical Wheelers? Tin Cup? 12 Volt? Far Side?

How about giving a nod to Kay Pasa, Marvin Gardens and Kitty Liter?

A little venting? Maybe. Sorry if it's negative. I'm just dissappointed with the last two shows. Granted, I was lucky to even be at the last two shows, I know, but . . . I guess he suffers from "it could be so much better" syndrome.

Proceed to slam . . .

Indiana Jolly Mon · Post by **Indiana Jolly Mon** » September 21, 2007 9:47 am

Well stated. I dont think it is so much a novelty act per se, but you wonder if dusting off some old songs would recharge him or if he is just tired of the the old and wants to play his new stuff and covers only?

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » September 21, 2007 10:19 am

I voted No because I think he already is one. I think he has been for a long time. I think he was when I first saw him. That's why I went: to see what all the fuss was about. And that was 10 years ago. There is a reason it took me so long to catch on...I was still in high school when I saw him those ten years ago.

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » September 21, 2007 10:43 am

OystersandBeer wrote:I voted No because I think he already is one. .

I voted YES because he already is one. I love him for it, but he is NOT mainstream in any way.

mjeischen · Post by **mjeischen** » September 21, 2007 10:47 am

Scarlet Begonias though a cover I think it is a rarely played one overall.

Dixie Chicken only appears when Bill Payne is around which I am OK with.

Glory Days . . .

Brown Eyed Girl . . .

In my Room is perfect only because of the way he lays it into TNIJNMG.

I agree overall but I am grateful for what I get.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 21, 2007 10:54 am

Here's my take.....

Jimmy Buffett is like college football's JoePa and Bobby Bowden.... he has earned the right to stick around as long as he wants...play what he wants to play, and we just sit back and enjoy the ride.... 'cause it aint gonna last forever!

and yes... I am a FSU alumni

Brettski · Post by **Brettski** » September 21, 2007 10:57 am

He's an entertainer, and he does a very good job at what he does

I was very entertained last night

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » September 21, 2007 10:58 am

like the comment i made the other night in the concert thread, after 4 non-buffett songs opened the show, "when does the buffett concert start?"

cdnkeywest · Post by **cdnkeywest** » September 21, 2007 11:11 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:like the comment i made the other night in the concert thread, after 4 non-buffett songs opened the show, "when does the buffett concert start?"

I noticed that - seemed strange to me too!

I liked the Toronto set list better because the first 4 tunes were:

Hot Hot Hot
On The Road Again
License to Chill
Off to see the Lizard

Seemed to just get going faster and got the audience into it right away too!

Jimmy was on fire that night!!

CaptainP · Post by **CaptainP** » September 21, 2007 11:24 am

He isn't doing anything that he hasn't done for a long time.

True, he's writing fewer of his own songs, but I think it is a good thing in at least one regard. Jimmy's best songwriting was when he wrote stories that he had a personal connection to. That's when the passion was there, that's when he came up with his best work.

If he were being as prolific of a songwriter now, he'd be singing more about celebrity charity events, and attending basketball games. He's not a beach bum anymore!!!

Fewer personal attachments to that lifestyle = more covers.
I'm OK with that as long as he does the right covers.

He is still one of the all-time great ENTERTAINERS.
That's what we pay him to do. Entertain us.

mac622 · Post by **mac622** » September 21, 2007 11:40 am

I was at the 9/8 Gillette show and both MSG shows. I was thouroughly entertained but I HATED Glory Days 2 of 3 nights it was played. Its just a lousy song to begin with and I love Bruce. The other covers - SC, BEG, Dixie Chicken -I actully like but you can keep On the Road Again. I will still pay money every year to see him while he is still performing. Just my 2 cents

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » September 21, 2007 11:43 am

next stop lounge act in Vegas LOL

ConchRepublican · Post by **ConchRepublican** » September 21, 2007 11:46 am

12vmanRick wrote:next stop lounge act in Vegas LOL

Or . . . lounge act in Biloxi . . .

cdnkeywest · Post by **cdnkeywest** » September 21, 2007 11:47 am

ConchRepublican wrote:
12vmanRick wrote:next stop lounge act in Vegas LOL
Or . . . lounge act in Biloxi . . .

or....lounge act in Boise.....(why is that engrained in my brain?) ...

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » September 21, 2007 11:50 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:like the comment i made the other night in the concert thread, after 4 non-buffett songs opened the show, "when does the buffett concert start?"

so true, he has become his own warm up band

ConchRepublican · Post by **ConchRepublican** » September 21, 2007 12:00 pm

12vmanRick wrote:
AlbatrossFlyer wrote:like the comment i made the other night in the concert thread, after 4 non-buffett songs opened the show, "when does the buffett concert start?"
so true, he has become his own warm up band

Hmmm . . .

tyanks1 · Post by **tyanks1** » September 21, 2007 12:04 pm

interesting question and I'm a new 2007 fan due to Sirius and i think somewhat neutral here. My favorite artist by far is Bruce S (I live in NJ) and he also loves covers but doesn't open shows with them or beat them to death.

My 1st thought when I started listening to these JB concerts on Sirius was wow, Buffett and the Band are VG and fun. But what struck me was the # of covers.. though I love some of them like Brown Eyed & S. Cross.

So obviously there is no right or wrong answer here... but I for one think yes, he does play too many covers at the wrong time esp. to start up a show.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » September 21, 2007 12:55 pm

12vmanRick wrote:next stop lounge act in Vegas LOL

oct 20 & 27.

Dezdmona · Post by **Dezdmona** » September 21, 2007 12:56 pm

I guess JB feels he has earned enough credibility both with fans and in the business that he can do the SYKBH, new songs and then stuff he feels like doing.

pbans · Post by **pbans** » September 21, 2007 12:56 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
12vmanRick wrote:next stop lounge act in Vegas LOL
oct 20 & 27.

I'm pretty much good with that!