So what's everyone's opinion???

[HD18JBGuy]

I tend to agree with the whole Margaritaville concept as commercial and a money maker. I don't blame Jimmy for it though...heck I wish I thought of the concept myself. The problem I have with the Margaritaville cafe's is that 95% of the people there can't name more than maybe three songs. And if they can, it is all off the album "Songs You Know By Heart". While waiting for my buddies to arrive in Las Vegas for a weekend of fun, I stopped in at the Margaritaville on the strip for lunch. They had some great concert footage playing and great food. I really enjoyed it until it started getting crowded around 4ish in the afternoon when it became a pre-party spot, full of people with their hot pants on and ladies with plastic body parts. I am fine with all of that, just not at a Margaritaville. I have also been to the one in Negril, Jamaica where I watched a snowy football game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay packers in 85 degree weather. I enjoyed myself there.

While I don't have anything "against" the Margaritaville cafes, I would rather head to some of the locations that Jimmy sings about in his songs. I have been to a few and they are prety much all dive bars. To me, that better represents the "getaway" feeling that he tries to emmulate at the Margaritaville cafes. But, if you can't make it to any of those locations, Margaritavilles and Cheeseburger in Paradise (yuck) chains are plentiful in most major cities and suburbs.

With respect to his music, I hope Jimmy does put some more time and effort into his next album. In my opinion, "Take The Weather With You" was a horrible example of his talent. "License to Chill" was great and you can tell by the way the songs are written that they were put together well. "Take The Weather With You" seemed rushed and has maybe three decent songs (Bama Breeze, Weather With You (cover song), and Reggabilly Hill). Other than that, I find that album almost hard to listen to. Both had their fair share of cover songs, which I don't think Jimmy will ever get away from. I don't mind them though. "License to Chill"...great work Jimmy; "Take the Weather With You"...take your album with you.

[pinacolada lover]

I hope there is a new CD. I'm ready for some new stuff.

[baadbobby]

WOW! Haters galore! Is it possible that any artist with 4 decades full of work can possibly appease every sole with every single thing they do? Lots of you are acting offended towards the man's artistry, well guess what? He doesn't make music for just you. If you don't like the stores, don't go there, if you don't like "yellow album fans" think back to when you were turned on. Jeez!

As for the new album, I don't know the release date, but its supposed to be all acoustic, using songs from last years encore list. Sounds pretty damn interesting to me.

Stop the hatin'! This is a Jimmy Buffett fan website, not the Margaritaville complaint department for disgruntled old coots! Where is the Parrothead spirit?

I SUGGEST A LOCK!

[marksberyj]

Totally agree!

[Bwana Paul]

I tend to agree with the whole Margaritaville concept as commercial and a money maker. I don't blame Jimmy for it though...heck I wish I thought of the concept myself. The problem I have with the Margaritaville cafe's is that 95% of the people there can't name more than maybe three songs. And if they can, it is all off the album "Songs You Know By Heart". While waiting for my buddies to arrive in Las Vegas for a weekend of fun, I stopped in at the Margaritaville on the strip for lunch. They had some great concert footage playing and great food. I really enjoyed it until it started getting crowded around 4ish in the afternoon when it became a pre-party spot, full of people with their hot pants on and ladies with plastic body parts. I am fine with all of that, just not at a Margaritaville. I have also been to the one in Negril, Jamaica where I watched a snowy football game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay packers in 85 degree weather. I enjoyed myself there.

While I don't have anything "against" the Margaritaville cafes, I would rather head to some of the locations that Jimmy sings about in his songs. I have been to a few and they are prety much all dive bars. To me, that better represents the "getaway" feeling that he tries to emmulate at the Margaritaville cafes. But, if you can't make it to any of those locations, Margaritavilles and Cheeseburger in Paradise (yuck) chains are plentiful in most major cities and suburbs.

With respect to his music, I hope Jimmy does put some more time and effort into his next album. In my opinion, "Take The Weather With You" was a horrible example of his talent. "License to Chill" was great and you can tell by the way the songs are written that they were put together well. "Take The Weather With You" seemed rushed and has maybe three decent songs (Bama Breeze, Weather With You (cover song), and Reggabilly Hill). Other than that, I find that album almost hard to listen to. Both had their fair share of cover songs, which I don't think Jimmy will ever get away from. I don't mind them though. "License to Chill"...great work Jimmy; "Take the Weather With You"...take your album with you.

I have the exact opposite opinion. License to Chill was kind of a disappointment.

[SuperTrooper]

I tend to agree with the whole Margaritaville concept as commercial and a money maker. I don't blame Jimmy for it though...heck I wish I thought of the concept myself. The problem I have with the Margaritaville cafe's is that 95% of the people there can't name more than maybe three songs. And if they can, it is all off the album "Songs You Know By Heart". While waiting for my buddies to arrive in Las Vegas for a weekend of fun, I stopped in at the Margaritaville on the strip for lunch. They had some great concert footage playing and great food. I really enjoyed it until it started getting crowded around 4ish in the afternoon when it became a pre-party spot, full of people with their hot pants on and ladies with plastic body parts. I am fine with all of that, just not at a Margaritaville. I have also been to the one in Negril, Jamaica where I watched a snowy football game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay packers in 85 degree weather. I enjoyed myself there.

While I don't have anything "against" the Margaritaville cafes, I would rather head to some of the locations that Jimmy sings about in his songs. I have been to a few and they are prety much all dive bars. To me, that better represents the "getaway" feeling that he tries to emmulate at the Margaritaville cafes. But, if you can't make it to any of those locations, Margaritavilles and Cheeseburger in Paradise (yuck) chains are plentiful in most major cities and suburbs.

With respect to his music, I hope Jimmy does put some more time and effort into his next album. In my opinion, "Take The Weather With You" was a horrible example of his talent. "License to Chill" was great and you can tell by the way the songs are written that they were put together well. "Take The Weather With You" seemed rushed and has maybe three decent songs (Bama Breeze, Weather With You (cover song), and Reggabilly Hill). Other than that, I find that album almost hard to listen to. Both had their fair share of cover songs, which I don't think Jimmy will ever get away from. I don't mind them though. "License to Chill"...great work Jimmy; "Take the Weather With You"...take your album with you.

I agree that LTC is better than TTWWY. I like more songs on TTWWY, including BIBOMO, Hula Girl at Heart, and Duke's on Sunday. IMHO, JB's true low point in song writing was the '90s: Barometer Soup, Banana Wind and BHOTM contain mostly lightweight stuff with 1 or 2 decent songs per album.

Jimmy works at his own pace since he doesn't have to fulfill record contracts, with his song writing being more of an "as the inspiration flows" kind of thing. He's not so stuck on himself that he can't take other people's work and make it his own if he likes it.

Like most PHs, I take what I can get.

And for the record: I have no problem with ladies in hot pants with plastic body parts.

[Feesh]

So I guess I'm not alone when I say that I just don't dig the new stuff.

Here We Are was probably the only new song that I've enjoyed over the past few years. I don't even buy the new albums anymore, where back in the day, I'd be at Best Buy or Peaches or wherever to pick it up on the day it came out.

[Feesh]

That being said, Jimmy is a business genius because people buy up the Margaritaville Tequila and Land Shark like it's going out of style just because it's a Jimmy product. I think the only time I drank Land Shark was when it was handed out for free in the Orlando parking lot (and that was after a lot of tequila). I'd actually be interested in seeing Corona sales since the Jimmy relationship ended.

And yes, I still visit Margaritaville every time I'm at Citywalk. Ordering the perfect margarita (which hasn't been on the menu in years) is always a must. I would have been there today if Steven Page was still in Barenaked Ladies.

[piratenurse]

I don't agree. Not all of us have the luxury of traveling all over and running into Margaritaville's everywhere. We live 2 states away from the closest Margaritaville and cannot afford to hop 2 states over everytime we feel the need to "escape". I would be happy just to live in the same state as a Margaritaville.

Is this a Jimmy Buffett hate site? So many are complaining about tix prices, who they are bought thru, old songs they do not want to hear anymore, bad set lists and on, and on, and on... Why not leave BN if you are sooo tired of everything JB does or may do.

__________________________________

"Here for a good time, not a long time" - JB

I think the cold is getting to you.............


Well boo hoo for you. I don't care whether you agree with me or not. Margaritaville is an over-commercialized entity now; nothing special about it anymore because they are everywhere.....

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you ever so much for no longer being interested in laying your money down at a Margaritaville Cafe anywhere. It is because of this effort on your part that a couple more people will be able to enjoy it if they wish.

Hmmm, Diverchaz has 10 posts! Isn't it proper etiquette to not knock the locals when you show up in their town?

[Staredge]

I'm trying to figure out if it's multiple n00bs, or just one n00b arguing with himself.


OK, n00bs, heres the deal.............

Welcome to BuffettNews. You'll find that we do certain things very well. Chief among them is finding new and inventive ways to criticize one James W. Buffett. (you might have heard of him) It's not that we don't love him.....we do. How else would we manage to spend this much time and money on one person??? Much like our children, though.......we don't always like him. So we complain. We complain about songs....we complain about prices...we complain about his political views.....we complain about wanting a new album.....we complain about the new album.....we complain about the restaurants.....then complain when there isn't one within an 8 hour drive. It's what we do. Feel free to join in.....after you've been here a while. Don't flame me with the "free speech...wah wah wah" nonsense. It's common courtesy. Hang around, buy us a virtual drink or six. Meet some of the pholks. Learn to love the place. Pretty soon, you'll be tearing JB a new bodily orifice and...if you're REALLY lucky...you might even attain stripper status.

Until then......


ST U n00b!!!!!!! and welcome!!!!!!!



(typed with love)

[HD18JBGuy]

WOW! Haters galore! Is it possible that any artist with 4 decades full of work can possibly appease every sole with every single thing they do? Lots of you are acting offended towards the man's artistry, well guess what? He doesn't make music for just you. If you don't like the stores, don't go there, if you don't like "yellow album fans" think back to when you were turned on. Jeez!

As for the new album, I don't know the release date, but its supposed to be all acoustic, using songs from last years encore list. Sounds pretty damn interesting to me.

Stop the hatin'! This is a Jimmy Buffett fan website, not the Margaritaville complaint department for disgruntled old coots! Where is the Parrothead spirit?

I SUGGEST A LOCK!

Hey man, take a chill pill. I agree with you in that the guy can't make music to appease everyone. But at the same time, everyone is allowed to have their opinion about art of any form And just because something has the name "Jimmy Buffett" attached to it doesn't mean that it is blessed and every Buffett fan is required to take a liking to it. Aren't people allowed to have opinions, or are we all just a bunch of followers that will buy every Margaritaville key chain that is produced?

And nowhere did I say I dislike "yellow album fans". My point was that if you think you are going to get the same fan vibe from a Margaritaville Cafe as you would by going to a concert, you will be sorely mistaken. Yes, you will find some hardcore Parrotheads there, but you will find alot more average Joes...and there is nothing wrong with that. And there is nothing wrong with the Margaritaville cafes. They are pretty cool, but at the same time slightly cheesy. I guess, more than anything, I am disappointed that I don't get that authentic JB vibe when I go to one.

I too am pretty pumped about the acoustic album that is due to show up soon. I am sure there will be loads of good stuff on it.

Lastly, who said it is all the old coots doing the complaining? I am 32 and don't consider myself an old coot. And I don't think my post in particular was complaining, rather just voicing my opinion, as did many others in this thread. Heck, if it weren't for those old coots supporting Jimmy while I was wearing diapers, he wouldn't be around for us young pups to enjoy today. That being said, I have respect for those old coots and beleive they are just as deserving, if not more, of voicing their opinion.

No hard feelings, just thought your post needed a response and maybe some clarification of my original post.

[OnoIsland]

I tend to agree with the whole Margaritaville concept as commercial and a money maker. I don't blame Jimmy for it though...heck I wish I thought of the concept myself. The problem I have with the Margaritaville cafe's is that 95% of the people there can't name more than maybe three songs. And if they can, it is all off the album "Songs You Know By Heart". While waiting for my buddies to arrive in Las Vegas for a weekend of fun, I stopped in at the Margaritaville on the strip for lunch. They had some great concert footage playing and great food. I really enjoyed it until it started getting crowded around 4ish in the afternoon when it became a pre-party spot, full of people with their hot pants on and ladies with plastic body parts. I am fine with all of that, just not at a Margaritaville. I have also been to the one in Negril, Jamaica where I watched a snowy football game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay packers in 85 degree weather. I enjoyed myself there.

While I don't have anything "against" the Margaritaville cafes, I would rather head to some of the locations that Jimmy sings about in his songs. I have been to a few and they are prety much all dive bars. To me, that better represents the "getaway" feeling that he tries to emmulate at the Margaritaville cafes. But, if you can't make it to any of those locations, Margaritavilles and Cheeseburger in Paradise (yuck) chains are plentiful in most major cities and suburbs.

With respect to his music, I hope Jimmy does put some more time and effort into his next album. In my opinion, "Take The Weather With You" was a horrible example of his talent. "License to Chill" was great and you can tell by the way the songs are written that they were put together well. "Take The Weather With You" seemed rushed and has maybe three decent songs (Bama Breeze, Weather With You (cover song), and Reggabilly Hill). Other than that, I find that album almost hard to listen to. Both had their fair share of cover songs, which I don't think Jimmy will ever get away from. I don't mind them though. "License to Chill"...great work Jimmy; "Take the Weather With You"...take your album with you.

License to Chill is the biggest piece of garbage I've ever heard and it saddens me that Buffett recorded it. I have 500 Buffett tracks on my iPod but only one from that album (Coast of Carolina). Take the Weather With You is WAY better in my opinion. But to each their own. I do sort of agree with you about Margaritaville. It never stops me from going to one when I get the chance though.

[MrTwain]

I don't agree. Not all of us have the luxury of traveling all over and running into Margaritaville's everywhere. We live 2 states away from the closest Margaritaville and cannot afford to hop 2 states over everytime we feel the need to "escape". I would be happy just to live in the same state as a Margaritaville.

Is this a Jimmy Buffett hate site? So many are complaining about tix prices, who they are bought thru, old songs they do not want to hear anymore, bad set lists and on, and on, and on... Why not leave BN if you are sooo tired of everything JB does or may do.

__________________________________

"Here for a good time, not a long time" - JB

Margritavil, luv it er leeve it?

Nice

[LIPH]

WOW! Haters galore! Is it possible that any artist with 4 decades full of work can possibly appease every sole with every single thing they do?

Why would I want Jimmy Buffett, or any other artist for that matter, to appease the bottoms of my shoes with everything he does?

[LaTda!]

I don't agree. Not all of us have the luxury of traveling all over and running into Margaritaville's everywhere. We live 2 states away from the closest Margaritaville and cannot afford to hop 2 states over everytime we feel the need to "escape". I would be happy just to live in the same state as a Margaritaville.

Is this a Jimmy Buffett hate site? So many are complaining about tix prices, who they are bought thru, old songs they do not want to hear anymore, bad set lists and on, and on, and on... Why not leave BN if you are sooo tired of everything JB does or may do.

__________________________________

"Here for a good time, not a long time" - JB

Well boo hoo for you. I don't care whether you agree with me or not. Margaritaville is an over-commercialized entity now; nothing special about it anymore because they are everywhere.....

I respectfully disagree. "Margaritaville" is what you make it according to Jimmy. It's the escapism, not just a name brand chain store.
We are here (mostly) in search of that tropical escapism. ..and 'It' still is special for those who truly get it
I often say that it's much more then the man, it's the whole lifestyle, part of why I live on a sailboat (for example)

[phjrsaunt]

I don't care what your opinions are (hey we all have 'em! ) just be nice about expressing them. Please and thank you!
Auntie

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

I don't agree. Not all of us have the luxury of traveling all over and running into Margaritaville's everywhere. We live 2 states away from the closest Margaritaville and cannot afford to hop 2 states over everytime we feel the need to "escape". I would be happy just to live in the same state as a Margaritaville.

Is this a Jimmy Buffett hate site? So many are complaining about tix prices, who they are bought thru, old songs they do not want to hear anymore, bad set lists and on, and on, and on... Why not leave BN if you are sooo tired of everything JB does or may do.

__________________________________

"Here for a good time, not a long time" - JB

Well boo hoo for you. I don't care whether you agree with me or not. Margaritaville is an over-commercialized entity now; nothing special about it anymore because they are everywhere.....

I respectfully disagree. "Margaritaville" is what you make it according to Jimmy. It's the escapism, not just a name brand chain store.
We are here (mostly) in search of that tropical escapism. ..and 'It' still is special for those who truly get it
I often say that it's much more then the man, it's the whole lifestyle, part of why I live on a sailboat (for example)

What is Margaritaville for me? It's not the food, even though the food is fine, but I can get the food that is served at Margaritaville almost anywhere. Is it the Margaritas? Well, they make fantastic margaritas, but I can get a fantastic margarita elsewhere as well. For me a Margaritaville cafe has something that I can't get where I live and that is the atmosphere, and the atmosphere that I get at the Las Vegas Margaritaville is priceless, because I can't and wouldn't visit a Margaritaville cafe every day, and that is why the atmosphere is so unique and fun for me. A Margaritaville cafe really is what we choose to make it.

[The Remittance Man]

And nowhere did I say I dislike "yellow album fans". My point was that if you think you are going to get the same fan vibe from a Margaritaville Cafe as you would by going to a concert, you will be sorely mistaken. Yes, you will find some hardcore Parrotheads there, but you will find alot more average Joes...and there is nothing wrong with that. And there is nothing wrong with the Margaritaville cafes. They are pretty cool, but at the same time slightly cheesy. I guess, more than anything, I am disappointed that I don't get that authentic JB vibe when I go to one.

I, for one, am resigned to the fact that 99% of the fellow Jimmy Buffett fans I will meet anywhere will not be as familiar with his catalogue at large as I am (and as most of the people here probably are). That doesn't bother me, but it is why I have only been to one JB concert (Nissan Pavillion, 2002) and am unlikely to repeat it. He simply doesn't do the songs I like best most of the time. He does what the crowds love, and more power to him and them. That said, I don't see what you mean by the difference between "the fan vibes from a Margaritaville Cafe as you would by going to a concert". In my experience they're both geared towards people who have the yellow album and maybe one or two others. Truth be told, I think people like that are "hardcore parrotheads," whereas those of us who know and love the Barnaby albums and the obscure album tracks from his later work are not "parrotheads," we're "Jimmy Buffett fans". But maybe it's all semantics.

What I'm getting at is that it sounds to me like I am the same kind of serious fan you're describing, and I don't get fan vibes from the concerts or the Maragritaville Cafes. I get them from listening to JB's party songs at the bar, or his ballads on rainy afternoons while I'm relaxing at home, or both on road trips, or introducing my girlfriend to the magic of his music for the very first time. (I recently had that pleasure, and she's warming up to him!)



On another note, I'm relieved to learn that I wasn't the only one who doesn't like "We're Still Here" and who was disappointed with Take the Weather With You. I wasn't active in any JB discussion board when it came out (had been several years ago, and here I am now, but not at the time), and it was quite a letdown. I didn't even have anybody to complain to in real life, as I was living in France at the time and nobody there knows who Jimmy Buffett even is.

I have warmed up somewhat to TTWWY, but it's still never likely to be among my favorites. I don't see any way I'm ever going to like "We're Still Here."

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

When it all comes down to it. JB's music whether it is the old stuff or new stuff is art, and it really is in the eye of the beholder. I am a Parrothead, and I am a Jimmy Buffett fan who appreciates all of the music. Sure, there is a lot of songs that I would love to see him do at shows, but if he were to do them, over half the house would leave

I'm going to say something else, and this is definitely not a criticism. I am a totally blind person who has a hell of a lot of fun going to JB's concerts. With his shows there is a lot of hype and madness, and I participate in all of it actively and have a ball. It's that time out of the year where I can give up all adult responsibilities and act goofy. However, once Jimmy hits that stage, the hype ends for me, and the music takes over no matter what he plays, and I think that is a big advantage that a lot of folks do not have because there is too much stuff going on around them. I'm totally concentrating on what is happening on the stage with the CRB and JB and the hype disappears for me. For folks that can see it is hard to turn off the scene around them, and it could be next to impossible for some people.

[HD18JBGuy]

I, for one, am resigned to the fact that 99% of the fellow Jimmy Buffett fans I will meet anywhere will not be as familiar with his catalogue at large as I am (and as most of the people here probably are). That doesn't bother me, but it is why I have only been to one JB concert (Nissan Pavillion, 2002) and am unlikely to repeat it. He simply doesn't do the songs I like best most of the time. He does what the crowds love, and more power to him and them. That said, I don't see what you mean by the difference between "the fan vibes from a Margaritaville Cafe as you would by going to a concert". In my experience they're both geared towards people who have the yellow album and maybe one or two others.

There is a complete difference. Having been to many concerts, I have found myself surrounded with lots of true and very loyal fans who are very familiar with all of Jimmy's music, not just the "popular songs". If you look at any set list from any concert, there is a very good mix of songs he plays. He does play quite a few of his more popular songs because people want to hear them too. I have nothing against any of the yellow album songs.

I think where you are trying to go with this is that there are too many people that go to the concerts that don't know a thing about the music, but rather, they go for the party instead. Many of my meathead friends go for the party...I go for both and it is usually one of the highlights of my summer.

If you have any doubt that real, genuine fans go to the shows, just look at all of the people that post in the Concert section of the forum. There are plenty of great fans that go to the shows and the vibe at a JB concert is just incredible! You should give another concert a try...sounds like you may have had a bad experience.

The Margaritaville cafes on the other hand are basically restaurants with Jimmy Buffett influence. As I said, nothing worng with them, but there are a lot of people that just go there to souvenir shop or to get lunch. But I doubt there are many people that buy a concert ticket to get a hot dog. The vibes at a JB concert and a Margaritaville cafe are vastly different.