The New York Post has a review of Friday’s show at the Jones Beach Amphitheater: “A mighty Fin time”
Even though Jimmy Buffett was killer at his rain-soaked, sold-out Jones Beach gig Friday, the real stars of the event were his fans known collectively as Parrotheads.
For them the show didn’t start at 9 p.m. when Jimmy started strumming, accompanied by flash ‘n’ boom lightning ‘n’ thunder. It began as soon as their feet hit the vast concrete parking lot — an all-you-can-drink Buffett for New Yorkers in a Margaritaville state of mind.
On that count, the show, which was slightly delayed, started after dark with Buffett looking very beachy in a T-shirt, shorts and bare feet.
He played a greatest-hits set featuring excellent versions of “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville,” and “Son of a Son of a Sailor.” There were also a couple of rocking covers including Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” played early and CS&N’s “Southern Cross” offered near the finale.
Nobody would have faulted Buffett and Jones organizers if the show had been canceled because of lightning safety issues. After the encore, Buffett’s bald head was still shiny with rain as he said, “We made the right call — hope you had a good time.” His ear-to-ear grin said everyone did, him included.