Bicycle Bill wrote:Seconding "She's Got You", and need to also mention "Uncle John's Band" which was from the "Fruitcakes" album as well. Never thought it fit Jimmy's style. Only a completist could love it.
I love both those covers but I'm not necessarily what you would call a "completist" when it comes to Buffett. Yes, I have the vast majority of everything he's ever released whether it be on vinyl or CD but I have very few of the compilations, singles, etc. that would normally be associated with the type of fan that would refer to themselves as a completist. That said, some artists are next to impossible to cover in a way that pleases everybody and the Grateful Dead would be one of them.
Let me make it clear that I was not dissing the album as "not fitting Jimmy's style" — I was referring to the song "Uncle John's Band". There are a few cuts off that album like the title track, "Quietly Making Noise", and "Vampires, Mummies, and the Holy Ghost" that are purely Bubba having a good time; and I would love to hear Jimmy and Mac do "Love in the Library" live some night.
Maybe I can start a petition. After all, it worked for Funkhouse and his "Nautical Wheelers" ........ -"BB"-
"I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead." "Some of it's magic, and some of it's tragic, but I've had a good life all the way."
In my case, when it comes to Southern Cross, Uncle Johns Band and She's Got You, Jimmy's versions were the first time I'd heard the songs.
So when I finally heard the originals, I was let down because they were not as lively and are kinda tame.
"It's crazy and it's different, but it's really bein' free"
sonofabeach wrote:In my case, when it comes to Southern Cross, Uncle Johns Band and She's Got You, Jimmy's versions were the first time I'd heard the songs.
So when I finally heard the originals, I was let down because they were not as lively and are kinda tame.
I kind of felt the same way. He's Got You by Patsy Cline was my favorite of the originals.
I'm back to livin' Floridays
Blue skies and ultra-violet rays
Buffett may make "Uncle John's Band" more palatable for the masses but the Dead's version of the song, especially in a live setting, is anything but "tame". They bring a level of musicianship, creativity and innovation to it that Buffett and the Reefers will never be able to bring to it, even in their wildest dreams. That's said with all due respect to the Reefers but I can say without hesitation that the Grateful Dead were on an entirely different as performers and songwriters. "Tame" was not in their vocabulary.
How about the Cover that WAS a Cover? Take the Weather with You by Crowded House was popular in the early 90s in Europe, I was very disappointed when Jimmy did an album title song that was a cover, but to be honest, I really do like his version nearly as much as the original.
I love "Defying Gravity" and consider it one of my favorite Buffett songs which is perfectly fine, different strokes for different folks.
I've been familiar with Crowded House for quite a while but had never heard "Weather With You" until Buffett covered it. I don't mind the occasional cover here and there but his penchant for them had reached it's nadir by that point with 10 out of the 14 songs being by other folks (same for License To Chill was really no better though 11 out of 16 songs being covers). The last couple have their fair share of covers as well but at least they're not top loaded with them.
Without a doubt..it has to be the "All Night Long" thing from Lionel. OMG..talk about lowering standards. Brown Eyed Girl is money compared to that clam...
mtheparrothead wrote:Gotta add "Hey Good Lookin" to this discussion as well. Great original, but it just felt like a neverending chorus of "look who my friends are".
...or, "the special guests on this song will insure airplay on mainstream country radio".
There are definitely a few bad ones out there. For me, "Trippin' Billies" was the worst I've ever experienced in person at Bristow several years ago. And it was the encore. They start into it and everybody is like "WTF"? Whatever version of Glory Days that is played the most on RM is just awful. The one part where Jimmy just kind of mumbles through the words . . .painful.
Also, though not technically a cover since Jimmy is on the original but when he does 'Knee Deep" on tour it is so much more rushed than when Zac does it. Not nearly as good IMHO.
It was too much tequila . . . . or not quite enough.
I like when Jimmy tries out new covers even if they are a mixed bag. Some I like and listen to regularly, others I never listen to again. Still it's nice to hear something new every tour.
What I hate is when a cover returns tour after tour. Brown Eyed Girl has been a regular part of the setlist ever since I started seeing Jimmy in 91. After 40+ shows, I'd rather hear just about any song, although it does make for a good bathroom break. Another Saturday Night is another one that I have heard too many times.
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MDShark70 wrote:There are definitely a few bad ones out there. For me, "Trippin' Billies" was the worst I've ever experienced in person at Bristow several years ago. And it was the encore. They start into it and everybody is like "WTF"? Whatever version of Glory Days that is played the most on RM is just awful. The one part where Jimmy just kind of mumbles through the words . . .painful.
Also, though not technically a cover since Jimmy is on the original but when he does 'Knee Deep" on tour it is so much more rushed than when Zac does it. Not nearly as good IMHO.
Trippin' Billies is a truly horrid song. According to the BN setlist database, he's done it 6 times. I had the misfortune of being at 2 of those shows. The original sux and Buffett's version is even worse. What was he thinking?
I imagine he covered it just because maybe he's a fan of Dave Matthews (duh). I remember when Buffett was in the news quite a bit for being one of the top concert draws that attracted folks on a largely grassroots level and Buffett cited groups such as the Dave Matthew Band and the Grateful Dead who built an audience in much the same way. So, maybe it had a little something to do with that. Or, maybe he was just attempting to appear hip and the entire notion fell flat. Sort of like him covering Talking Heads.
