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I'd like to think that when Jimmy covers someone else's song, it provides us with a better understanding of what Jimmy likes and feels about things.

It seems that we all approve when other artists cover Jimmy's songs, but not so comfortable about Jimmy covering other artists' songs.

It's curious to me how most Parrotheads seem giddy about Jack Johnson's cover of A Pirate Looks at 40. Never mind the fact that Johnson's version is choppy, angular and empty; as opposed to the smooth, flowing melodious prayer that Jimmy wrote it to be. Don't get me wrong, I feel like Jack Johnson's cover of APLAF is indeed an homage and a great honor paid to the song and to Jimmy. So while I don't like the cover that much, it's fun to know a little more about what Jack Johnson likes.



I was surprised to learn that so many Parrotheads don't like Jimmy's version of Glory Days. I personally think that it's one of Jimmy's better covers. I think I heard on RM that that Jimmy and Bruce are actually friends. If that's true, that adds even another dimension to the story.

I had the pleasure of watching the Houston concert while standing next to RinglingRingling on the lawn (who, in person simply goes by "Ringling" not "RinglingRingling" apparently). He had flown in from Ohio and decided to perch with our phlock for the show. What a treat it was to watch the show along with such a longtime Parrothead and Buffett trivia expert. Aside from his Buffetpedia knowledge, I also found him to be very charming and just great to hang out with. I hope to see him again sometme. Anyway, when Jimmy started to play Glory Days in his first encore, RinglingRingling was really happy to hear it. He knew the backstory of Jimmy's covering the song in the past, and also commented that it had been a while since he had covered the song, and that it was likely brought back as a tribute to Danny Federici, the E-Street Band member who died 4 days before the concert after a three-year battle with melanoma. Knowing that gave me a little better understanding of Jimmy and what he may have been thinking about that week.

So back to my first statement regarding Parrotheads' discomfort over Jimmy covering other artists' music. Do we perhaps feel that Jimmy isn't musician enough to cover these other great artists? Or... in the alternative, do we just feel that Jimmy is "above" covering other artists' music? Still... there may yet be another possibility to explain it all. Maybe it's just easier for us to be critical of Jimmy's cover choices because we feel closer to him. Like family, perhaps. Does that make sense?

Just a few of my thoughts on it all.

I think you make a good point.

As for Glory Days, the reason I don't like the cover is that I don't like the original either...I'm just not a big Springsteen fan. (dodging tomatoes)

But I don't write the setlists....I'm just happy to still be hearing the music live, because before this pirate turns 40, either Jimmy will still be rockin' at 72 or all we'll have to listen to are old concert recordings.

I feel the same way as Chitown about Glory Days....although I do like Springsteen, just not a fan of this particular song.

As far as Jimmy doing covers, it's not about not liking the songs or not liking the way he covers them, I just think he has such a vast and varied catalog that I would love to hear more of his lesser known tunes at a show......

I can go to a bar, any weekend and find decent cover bands......I go see Buffett once a year, if I'm lucky!

I do like to hear mainstream or popular artists cover Buffett tunes......it always makes me smile. I'm going to see Jack Johnson this summer and would love to hear him cover APLA40~

For the record, I did like it when JB covered 'The Horizon Has Been Defeated' because that's how I discovered Jack Johnson........but I don't want to hear it at every concert.

AND YES, if he's playing, I'm listening......well, as long as it's not a full show devoted to Celine Dion hits or the Best of ABBA....so this isn't a b*tch, just merely observations.

ok, here is my last post on covers. i dont mind he does them, i really like southern cross and a few others. heck, bananna republics is one of my favs but i dont really consider that one a cover, since i had never heard of it before jimmy did it.



it's just a few covers i hate....mailny tripping billies and glory days.

he butchers both songs. i love glory days when springsteen does it, probably my fav song of his...maybe that is why i hate it when jimmy does it. the entire band just BUTCHERS IT

please, oh please...let me get through the summer without seeing this one live.

I don't mind when Jimmy does covers, but I prefer he does songs that fit within his genre. I love "Southern Cross" and the fit is obvious. The same with "Mexico" and, to a lesser degree, "The Horizon Has Been Defeated". I've never has much connection to BEG, but I assume Jimmy does and that's why it's part of the "Big 12". I admit that "Scarlet Begonias" grows on me the more I hear it.

To me songs like "Glory Days" and "Trippin' Billies" stick out like sore thumbs in concerts. I just don't get the connection to what Jimmy is trying to do by playing them. Since they've often been part of the encores it ends the shows on a weird note for most PHs.

When you go back and read old threads about what songs Jimmy should cover, you see that PHs in general like him to stay within the genre.

Unless, of course, he'd play "FREE BIRD"!

You'd be surprised how many parrotheads don't like a lot of songs. Not all the same parrotheads, mind you, but for every song that he does, there will be lots of people who like it, lots who don't and even more lots at various places in between. The cover songs get more attention in the "like vs. don't like" debate simply because they are cover songs, but pick any song that he does, original or otherwise, and ask ten parrotheads if they like it and why or why not, and you'll get a wide range of different answers. You like Glory Days, and you don't understand why so many other people don't, but that's because of your personal choice and persecption of the song. I'm the same way with Scarlett Begonias. It's a personal favorite of mine, has been since I first saw the Dead do it live, and to me it's such a great song, I can't imagine why so many people don't like it. Once again it's my personal perception of the song. Check out any of the "What would your set list be?" threads and you'll see so many different opinions. And as for why people get more worked up over him covering other people vs other people covering him, someone said it earlier, that with the catelog of songs he has, he's got more than enough material of his own to fill a night with.

The strangest thing in your post though was your opinion of R2. Nice guy? Really? Hmmmmmm........






















(Sorry buddy, just had to say it. )

Excellent post, MrTwain.......

Like them or not, it almost every case, I tend to think that Jimmy seems to always do a better cover version than the original......

But then again, I may be a bit biased towards Mr. Buffett's "interpretations".....

I'd love to see Jimmy do an entire album of Dead covers

Just don't forget Sugar Magnolia. I think I can her the pans already

popcornjack wrote:You'd be surprised how many parrotheads don't like a lot of songs. Not all the same parrotheads, mind you, but for every song that he does, there will be lots of people who like it, lots who don't and even more lots at various places in between. The cover songs get more attention in the "like vs. don't like" debate simply because they are cover songs, but pick any song that he does, original or otherwise, and ask ten parrotheads if they like it and why or why not, and you'll get a wide range of different answers. You like Glory Days, and you don't understand why so many other people don't, but that's because of your personal choice and persecption of the song. I'm the same way with Scarlett Begonias. It's a personal favorite of mine, has been since I first saw the Dead do it live, and to me it's such a great song, I can't imagine why so many people don't like it. Once again it's my personal perception of the song. Check out any of the "What would your set list be?" threads and you'll see so many different opinions. And as for why people get more worked up over him covering other people vs other people covering him, someone said it earlier, that with the catelog of songs he has, he's got more than enough material of his own to fill a night with.

The strangest thing in your post though was your opinion of R2. Nice guy? Really? Hmmmmmm........






















(Sorry buddy, just had to say it. )

I am going to have to work twice as hard to live down to my reputation

Good luck with that! Hope you had a great time.

popcornjack wrote:Good luck with that! Hope you had a great time.

I was with 400 of my PH friends. hard not to.

and I think I can if I work at it.

If you don't want to see it "LIVE" I'll take your tickets..

Scarlet Begonias is a GREAT Jimmy cover. Love the song and he does a great job. Jimmy's versions of Southern Cross and Mexico are also superb.

Hearing Jimmy live when he finished the Toronto 2005 with Neil Young's Helpless was an all time concert highlight for me. Amazing song and Jimmy nailed it!

Glory Days, On the Road Again, Rainy Day Woman, Werewolves of London. I don't really like any of those songs and hearing Jimmy do them is a disappointment.

But I'd be thrilled if he dropped his own CIP from the setlist.

Oh yeah - BigR-KyParrothead. Nice job on making it onto the video in St. Louis.

jasblt wrote:If you don't want to see it "LIVE" I'll take your tickets..

Bingo!

Catch&Release wrote:Scarlet Begonias is a GREAT Jimmy cover. Love the song and he does a great job. Jimmy's versions of Southern Cross and Mexico are also superb.

Hearing Jimmy live when he finished the Toronto 2005 with Neil Young's Helpless was an all time concert highlight for me. Amazing song and Jimmy nailed it!

Glory Days, On the Road Again, Rainy Day Woman, Werewolves of London. I don't really like any of those songs and hearing Jimmy do them is a disappointment.

But I'd be thrilled if he dropped his own CIP from the setlist.

Oh yeah - BigR-KyParrothead. Nice job on making it onto the video in St. Louis.

Isn't it amazing how we all differ.
I dislike Helpless, and Scarlet Begonias

And like Rainy Day Woman---Glory Days is OK

If he has to sing a GD song---bring back Uncle John's Band

springparrot wrote:

Catch&Release wrote:Scarlet Begonias is a GREAT Jimmy cover.

If he has to sing a GD song---bring back Uncle John's Band

If you want to hear Peter Wail..
Let's try "one more Saturday night"

It's not so much of a song being a cover.
It's if the song is in Jimmy's 'range' vocally.
And that he doesn't rush or shout the song.

ragtopW wrote:

springparrot wrote:

Catch&Release wrote:Scarlet Begonias is a GREAT Jimmy cover.

If he has to sing a GD song---bring back Uncle John's Band

If you want to hear Peter Wail..
Let's try "one more Saturday night"

DUDE!!!! I have said that before. That would be AWESOME!!!!