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All the voices on HEY, GOOD LOOKIN' do their part to make it a rousing success, sure to get plenty of air time. BOATS TO BUILD is reflective and Alan Jackson's soulfulness rounds it out perfectly.

The title cut will probably be the next "single" release. Jimmy and Kenny have a good time and I like the tune, but I think it could have been better. Couldn't say how, it just leaves me a little flat.

COAST OF CAROLINA, Jimmy's valentine to his wife, Jane, is about as sweet a love song as you're ever going to find.

The in your face PIECE OF WORK is a great romp with county's rebellious Toby Keith. If you don't smile when you hear it, you've never met a real life "Bubba".

ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE is another great love song. "Tomorrow may come. It usually does. Don't know what it brings to the two of us. I just want you to know what I'm ready to do . . . anything, anytime, anywhere for you." Awwwwwwwwwwww.

Martina McBride joins the fun for a look at birthdays in TRIP ROUND THE SUN. This was the only pairing that was missing chemistry . . . or, at least to my ears.

SIMPLY COMPLICATED is Jimmy's wink at a "my wife left, my dog died, someone stole my truck, and I'm outta beer" drinking song. Hysterical.

COASTAL CONFESSIONS is one of the buried treasures in this collection. It might not get airplay, but it's a great story. "I'm a tidal pool explorer from the days of my misspent youth. I believe that down on the beach where the seagulls preach is where the Chinese buried the truth. . . I'm a reader of the night sky and a singer of inordinate tunes. That's how I float across time, living way past my prime. . . " Genius.

If you're from (1) the 50's or even the early 60's and (2) the south, SEA OF HEARTBREAK might evoke memories of your parents going out on the town. All dressed up . . . a cocktail or two consumed. And the Hi-Fi playing the latest dance tune. Cha-Cha-Cha. George Strait is so smooth . . . he and Jimmy are near perfection. This is my favorite cut.

CONKY TONKIN' is cute, upbeat and makes you want to get in the car and drive down Highway 1 to Key West.

PLAYING THE LOSER AGAIN with Bill Withers reminds me of Merle Haggard. In a good way.

I haven't figured out WINDOW ON THE WORLD yet.

Nanci Griffith's weathered voice blends with Jimmy's on SOMEONE I USED TO LOVE, with great results.

I'm not a fan of SCARLET BEGONIAS, but I understand Jimmy's mother loved the song, so maybe it's his tribute to her.

His cover of Leon Russell's BACK TO THE ISLAND isn't as good as it was in Hawaii this past January, but then NOTHING will ever top that night under the Maui moon.

There's been a lot of discussion/debate about Jimmy's crossover to country. Oh, well. He done good.

Enjoy!


You make me SICK, Buffett!   November 3, 2004
 18 out of 35 found this review helpful

I WAS a parrothead for twenty five years. Since before they called us "parrotheads." But you'll never get another dollar out of me, you disgusting human being. Now that you're looking for even MORE money to add to your billions by trying to tap into the "country (redneck) music" market, you didn't even play ONE Democratic Party demonstration like you've done every election year for decades (But you still love to show the pictures of you shaking hands with Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton don't you?) And then you sink so low that you're doing a duet with TOBY KEITH, mister "George Bush is GOD, And I'm An ANGRY American?" (if you're so ANGRY Toby, why didn't YOU volunteer to go over and fight and get killed the way that football player on the Arizona Cardinals did? Or would that have taken time away from the millions and millions you're making off American soldiers blood? You and Buffett are a PERFECT pair).
As if that wasn't enough, this CD just SUCKS. "Simply Complicated," "Piece of Work," and the absolutely horrible mangling of Hank William's "Hey Good Lookin'" are PARTICULARLY embarrassing, but that doesn't even BEGIN to explain how bad this disc is. Buffett has become like a sad, pitiful cartoon character of his former self. For me, I'm NOT listening anymore. I'm moving on to REAL Key West talent like Bill Jabanoski and Liz O'Connor. As for you, Jimmy, it's really time to retire and stop embarrassing yourself with your greed and pitiful attempts at "music."


Buffett and Country DO go together   August 21, 2004
 17 out of 21 found this review helpful

First of all...enough of the country bashing. The country format is the strongest in the nation right now. All you need to do is look at record sales. The only format that is UP the last quarter. Second of all, I was a Buffett fan before this album, and it only solidified in my mind, his place in musical lore. Did the guy take advantage of a hot trend? Sure. Are you less likely to love the album if you've never given country a chance? Possibly. If so, what a shame. Sure the Toby Keith song, "Piece of Work" is a bit weak, but Martina's "Trip around the Sun", and "Boats to Build" with AJ are soothing, pop tinged country tunes at their best. I will agree with the reviewers who note that "Coast of Carolina" is the CD's best track. Truly Jimmy at his finest.
I would reccomend the CD to Buffett fans of course, and also to any fan of country music.
It's sad to see so many people take cheap and easy pot shots at a well made album, just because it's "country". Grow up, and hop back on the boat.

-in the music and media biz for 15 years-



I don't get you people   November 5, 2004
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

Living in Naples which is very close to Key West, I've had the good fortune to hear Roadkill Bill Jabanoski play in the bars there about Twenty times and I've heard Liz O'Connor playing at Captain Tonys at least half as many times. On their brakes, I've talked to both of them (Jabanoski is a Hell of a nice guy and O'Connor is one of the most charming girls I've ever met) and both of them have Nothing but good things to say and respect for Jimmy. Your all right that they are two great artists and I own Every One of Their CDS.
But putting down Jimmy for this CD, where he tried to do something different instead have keep repeating himself over and over I just don't get. Some of this CD is Great. Some of it is Good. Some of it is I confess just unlistenable. But I'd rather hear an artist like Jimmy trying to do something different and original then what he did last year. What disapponited me were the four live albums that were all almost the same.


Sad Ending To A Great Career   November 4, 2004
 16 out of 24 found this review helpful

I can't help but agree with the other reviewers that say that this CD is nothing more than a crass commercial ploy by Buffett to get his hands on some of that Country Music scene money and is, in a word, crap. I also admit that Liz O'Connor and Bill Jabanoski's CDs are much better than anything Jimmy has done in years and years. However, they are both much younger performers with fresh ideas and Jimmy was even better then them when he was their age. It's just another case of the changing of the guard. Yes Jimmy, it is time to stop making a fool out of yourself and head out to pasture, but thanks for all the great music and memories.