Musings from Detroit

[Soupy]

Some thoughts from the Detroit show:

1. Pine Knob (it's actually called the DTE Center but no one calls it that) is one of the best "party in the parking lot" venues but for the sake of God they need to put out some port-a-potties. Seriously, there was not one bathroom, outhouse, etc. in the entire parking lot.

2. It was great to see Fingers but this dude doesn't look good. I'm wondering if he is seriously ill.

3. Jimmy can perform whatever songs he wants but I would prefer he limit the covers and play some of his own great stuff.

4. The Jake/Robert rendition of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' was amazing - my earlier comment notwithstanding.

5. School Boy Heart is truly a classic song.

6. The Bob Dylan cover was dumb - came off as a big sing-a-long where the audience only knew the words, "Everybody must get stoned."

7. The Jimmy solo encore was stunning - best I've ever seen! Some people think Jimmy can't sing but he sounded great on this song. And remember, this was at the END of the show when you would think his voice would be shot.

[Detroit Finz]

What a great time last night, perfect weather cold beer and good friends.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to attend the show on our 2nd anniversary, what a perfect way to celebrate!

I had a buddy who was in the pavilion take a beach ball down there that said:

"Hey Jimmy!
Happy Anniversary Brett and Debbie
Tin Cup Chalice Please!"

I am sure he never saw that and didn't play it for us....that being said I am saying he did!

What a great way to end the show. JB in a Wings jersey plaing TCC. AWESOME!!!

The flat tire in the lot after couldn't even damper our spirits. Now I need to go back to bed.

[Longboardn' ASEL&S]

Had a great time at the Park and Ride, the DTE lot, and of course on the lawn.
With Diane on crutches following her knee surgery, after getting hit by a watermelon we were upgraded after a few songs to the "handicap" section behind the rail separating the Pavillion from the lawn.
Not bad at all!

[Fin_Addict]

The show was amazing, the weather was more than ideal (much better than the monsoon last time) and the Parrothead crowd in the parking lot creates the most enjoyable tailgating atmosphere I have ever found. Had a few long time fans but concert first timers with us, which always adds a little more enjoyment to the whole thing for me. You get to see it again through their eyes and realize what a truly unique experience a Buffett concert delivers. We sat at the top of the hill and the sea of humanity when the lights go up during "Fins" always blows me away.

I agree about the port-a-potties. Also the forced parking situation was ridiculous. We were there at 4 and couldn't park near the rest of our group because we came later. Ended up hauling a cooler, hibachi and all our swag across two lots. But after all is said and done, it was all worth it and I'd do it again tomorrow.

[Snowparrot]

Had a great time at the Park and Ride, the DTE lot, and of course on the lawn.
With Diane on crutches following her knee surgery, after getting hit by a watermelon we were upgraded after a few songs to the "handicap" section behind the rail separating the Pavillion from the lawn.
Not bad at all!

Oh yeah, handicaps get you good spots, but they s*** otherwise!
Hope Diane is able-bodied by Chicago!!

[PetalMel]

We had a ball again this year as well. I have never understood why they don't put in porta potties, I mean, come on...you are letting people consume liquids on the property and allowing the gates open well before the concert. (Not just for Buffett, but for any other concert I've attended there.) It only makes sense to have a row of them out there and maintain them. Anyhoo, I digress.


The lack of bathroom space is one of the main reasons we take our RV (and that it makes a great carrier for all the "stuph" I've acquired in the 20 plus years of this parrothead game ). We let folks us our RV bathroom for a donation to Riding for the Ribbon, which is a charitable bike ride coming up June 21st with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer research, treatment, and other needs of patients and their families. I am pleased to report that generous parrotheads through out the day helped us raise $115! I was shocked when I totalled up the loot in the Tiki cup as we headed out.

Not sure how others felt, but the Rockstar footage got old to me. Okay, so it's yet another marketing tool that will probably be successful, but I'd much rather see the band or footage of places I can only dream of visiting. I guess that's what happens when you are an old timer--new stuff can be down right traumatic.


All in all, it was yet another great time that I anxiously look forward to. I love the parking lot and roaming around just to see what we can see. So many people are so friendly, generous, and fun loving that it's easy to lose track of time.

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

I am rarely at a loss for words, but after experiencing Buffett and everything that goes along with it for the first time, I am at a loss for words. From the tailgating in the parking lot through the concert, to say that I had an awesome time would be the understatement of the century. Who would have thought that my first show would be jammed packed with so much fun from Jimmy and a cast of thousands. I am very glad that I did not stick to my original practical plan of going to just one show this summer and that I will be experiencing Cinci and Chicago as well. I am just in awe at the wonder of it all. Check out my review in the Detroit setlist thread.

[Albion03]

I'll agree with the cover songs comment. Near the end of the show I'd like to hear more of his own stuff. I will say ending with Tin Cup Chalice was perfect. I have always wanted to hear that song live ( I have been to 13 concerts and haven't heard it live). Hearing it acoustic was a perfect ending to a great show. Best set list I have heard yet at a Jimmy concert. Cowboy in the Jungle, Making music for money, and Miss you so badly were rare but great surprises. Makes me mad that I am only attending one this year. Either way great show!!!!

[Dr.Corona]

Here's the skinny in a nutshell.....THE BAND COOKED!! The extra guests just freakin' rock, the band is sounding tight and we seem to be getting some old non-yellow LP material back into the rotation.

Now please shut down the Bob Dylan tribute encore.

[newaygo parrothead]

My 34th time seeing jimmy..and I guess the parking lot would have rocked except it took me almost 2 hours to get parked...the attendants are borderline retarded.

Inside I got a couple margaritas since we had no time to party in the lot. THE WORST excuse for a margarita I have ever had...my wife said...wow...never had a gatorade and tequila mix before.

The concert was SUPERFANTASTIC. Great set list. the band was unbelievable. Jake Shaiggfj aijjgula and that ukelele is a treat any time.

And to finish with tin cup was the second best ending EVER(growing older in cinci a few years ago was better)

All in all it still gets an A+

See you in cinci in a month!!

[PetalMel]

I was laughing at the crossing guards in the parking lot. They asked us to only take up two spots with the RV, which we did, but then we proceeded to call our pals and send them up to VIP parking where we were. Said we had their wheelchair in the RV and needed to get them as close to us as possible. (ahhhhhh, the stories we can tell......) We were able to get all of us parked next to each other, even though we had to send in some "reinforcements" to our pals where were afraid to tell a lie. (Heh, cell phones are awesome..."Chris, go get Bruce. He's starting to act like Cameron from Ferris Bueller. You know he's sitting in his van out in the far lot saying "he'll keep calling me and calling me...." Between Chris and Greg I think they walked the entire parking lot just to chauffeur in our caravan of five people.)

I always laugh because the people who are "in charge" of parking truly believe the lot will be full and there is NO room for anyone to tailgate. Yah right. The trick is to get in right when they open the gates then play the game for about a 1/2 hour. By then word has gotten out that the gates are open and control is lost. While they are trying to control the oncoming phlock, you set up shop. By the time they realize what you have done, it's too late


For some reason, I had a strong desire to hear "breathe in breathe out move on." I loved loved LOVED Scarlet Begonias, even if it is a cover.

And would anyone else love to hear just a few lines of Drunken Girlfriend? I mean, even if he just played the intro to tease us? Heh, that would be awesome, IMO.

[SimplyComplicated]

I was laughing at the crossing guards in the parking lot. They asked us to only take up two spots with the RV, which we did, but then we proceeded to call our pals and send them up to VIP parking where we were. Said we had their wheelchair in the RV and needed to get them as close to us as possible. (ahhhhhh, the stories we can tell......) We were able to get all of us parked next to each other, even though we had to send in some "reinforcements" to our pals where were afraid to tell a lie. (Heh, cell phones are awesome..."Chris, go get Bruce. He's starting to act like Cameron from Ferris Bueller. You know he's sitting in his van out in the far lot saying "he'll keep calling me and calling me...." Between Chris and Greg I think they walked the entire parking lot just to chauffeur in our caravan of five people.)

I always laugh because the people who are "in charge" of parking truly believe the lot will be full and there is NO room for anyone to tailgate. Yah right. The trick is to get in right when they open the gates then play the game for about a 1/2 hour. By then word has gotten out that the gates are open and control is lost. While they are trying to control the oncoming phlock, you set up shop. By the time they realize what you have done, it's too late


For some reason, I had a strong desire to hear "breathe in breathe out move on." I loved loved LOVED Scarlet Begonias, even if it is a cover.

And would anyone else love to hear just a few lines of Drunken Girlfriend? I mean, even if he just played the intro to tease us? Heh, that would be awesome, IMO.

I thought the show was fantastic!! And I totally have Scarlet Begonias
planted in my front yard because of Buffett's cover of the song
Nobody else "gets it" but I smile a little everytime I water them!

[Burny Charles]

I totally have Scarlet Begonias
planted in my front yard because of Buffett's cover of the song
Nobody else "gets it" but I smile a little everytime I water them!

That gives me a great idea! Thanks!

[RinglingRingling]

We had a ball again this year as well. I have never understood why they don't put in porta potties, I mean, come on...you are letting people consume liquids on the property and allowing the gates open well before the concert. (Not just for Buffett, but for any other concert I've attended there.) It only makes sense to have a row of them out there and maintain them. Anyhoo, I digress.


The lack of bathroom space is one of the main reasons we take our RV (and that it makes a great carrier for all the "stuph" I've acquired in the 20 plus years of this parrothead game ). We let folks us our RV bathroom for a donation to Riding for the Ribbon, which is a charitable bike ride coming up June 21st with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer research, treatment, and other needs of patients and their families. I am pleased to report that generous parrotheads through out the day helped us raise $115! I was shocked when I totalled up the loot in the Tiki cup as we headed out.

Not sure how others felt, but the Rockstar footage got old to me. Okay, so it's yet another marketing tool that will probably be successful, but I'd much rather see the band or footage of places I can only dream of visiting. I guess that's what happens when you are an old timer--new stuff can be down right traumatic.


All in all, it was yet another great time that I anxiously look forward to. I love the parking lot and roaming around just to see what we can see. So many people are so friendly, generous, and fun loving that it's easy to lose track of time.

saw this in Raleigh, and took a bit to figure out what it was.. what caught my eye was that it was some thrash-metal sprites surrounded by flames.

[caly]

I was fortunate to sit down one on one in the courtyard with Fingers at the party the night before. He was telling me he has back problems and it was very bad that night. I just wanted to tell him he was awesome and not bother him while he was out for a smoke, but he asked me to sit down and it would have been rude to say no. I got up to leave a couple of times and he said not yet.

What a great memory I will have of him in years to come.

The man is a true professional and a down to earth nice guy. A phriend once told me someone told him that when Fingers plays the harp she could hear the angles sing and I agree whole heartedly.

[Snowparrot]

Lucky Caly!!

You had quite the time, didn't you!!

[nerdsnerd]

i love all the thoughts posted out here,i had a great time at the show!!
i agree with soupy,that they need some porta jons set up in the lot,i hate to go use the woods,i can only emagine how the ladies feel!,also i would like to hear more orignal material,by him and he could have played till
11 pm as well,the tailgating was the best,now my summer has been kicked off to a great start! just one other thing,i would have liked to see more women wearing coconut and seashell bras,they just look better in them!! in another 2 years,when he comes back here,it will seem like an eternity!!
IT WAS SHURE GREAT TO SHARE IN THIS WITH ALL YOU PARROTHEAD
FANS!!!

[Over40ClevePirates]

I am rarely at a loss for words, but after experiencing Buffett and everything that goes along with it for the first time, I am at a loss for words. From the tailgating in the parking lot through the concert, to say that I had an awesome time would be the understatement of the century. Who would have thought that my first show would be jammed packed with so much fun from Jimmy and a cast of thousands. I am very glad that I did not stick to my original practical plan of going to just one show this summer and that I will be experiencing Cinci and Chicago as well. I am just in awe at the wonder of it all. Check out my review in the Detroit setlist thread.

We just found our way back from DTE (took us over a week to get back to the North Coast) since we took a detour to Brooklyn for the Nascar racing - but along the way we talked about it, and figured that remodeling the kitchen wasn't that important - that's a winter project for when we can't go to a Jimmy show, so we're hoping to bunk with Gumbo Pirate (you're an awesome dude, man!) in Barstow on Labor Day....cough, cough....I feel an illness coming on and don't think I"ll be able to make it to work the next day

Captain Phlock - Mr.Over40ClevePirate said I can't have any more of your parrot juice, since it made me show my pink pirate undies too many times, but since I had fun, then I'm excused - this time.

Captain Morgan - thanks for the booty beads!

The Detroit Parrot Head Club is an awesome bunch! Thanks for being such great hosts. Hope to see some of you in Barstow on Labor Day!

Phins Up!!