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!


Buffett Goes Country, and it works!   July 13, 2004
Nicholas P. Hunter (Newport News, VA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Buffett's best work in years. Not a single bad cut on the album... He knows how to select good songs (Though he didn't write it, "Piece of Work" suits him perfectly) and he knows how to write good songs too. (Coastal Confessions is one of the best songs he has ever written.)

The duets are all superb. Jimmy's voice has good chemistry with all of the guest singers. However, with all of the country music superstars, his duet with Bill Withers on "Playin the Loser Again" is exceptionally poingant and soulful. Buffett displays surprisingly good vocals in counterpoint to Withers.

Sure, this album is somewhat of a departure from his typically Carribean themed music. But there are enough catchy tunes on this album to keep you humming them all day long. Buffett skillfully mixes slow, beautiful ballads with upbeat country rockers. It makes for a consistently inconsistent album that never stops delivering the goods. (I know that didn't make sense, but it's true.)

And, of course, every Buffett album must have a goofy song. And, following in the proud tradition of such tunes as "Math Suks," "Hokey Pokey," and "I Will Play for Gumbo" is "Simply Complicated," which is certainly one of his most humorous and clever songs. It also has the best ending in the history of popular music. Could you imagine the music video that would come from that? I think Bubba should do it...

All in all, "License to Chill" is simply one of the best efforts the Head Parrot has ever offered up. Laughs, smiles, great instrumentation, great lyrics, great playing, great singing, and great duets make this an essential listen for every Parrothead and every fan of country music.

I have a vast range of music in my collection; everything from classical to showtunes to country to jazz. I know that this latest Jimmy Buffett offering will occupy a perpetual spot in my CD changer.


I don't get you people   November 5, 2004
PiratePerrine (Naples, Florida)
18 out of 20 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.


Snuck up on me; then WHAM!   July 21, 2004
R. Millings (Austin, Texas)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

At the very first listen I thought...hmmmm. Not to sure about this. But, then I listened to it again; okay...not too bad. Listened to it again; hey, I am getting into this stuff. Now...I have three copies. One for home, one for the car and one for my office. I guess those who know Jimmy's roots (a.k.a. true Parrot Heads) and aren't music snobs will start nodding their heads and go "yeah...this CD makes perfect sense!" And, the concert in Dallas was a once in a lifetime experience. Rednecks and Parrotheads; like George Strait said "there is a fine line" between them.


Buffett and Country DO go together   August 21, 2004
R. Brainard
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-