First, let me start by saying I am no music critic but I am a huge Jimmy Buffett fan. Parrothead? Not sure I qualify yet, but I am well on my way. I love his music. It has always just been fun and relaxing to listen to. My Dad loved "Son of a Son of a Sailor" and my appreciation of his music goes way back.
I recently purchased Buffett Hotel and quickly was reminded of just how much I love all things Buffett. I have listened to this CD so much I know most of the words by heart. Especially "Wings", really a great song...so fun and catchy. I probably listen to it at least twice a day as I drive around town.
Anyway, this lead an old friend of mine, who writes the blog: You Just Keep on Believing That (hey, two links in one week, did I lose another bet??) to recommend which CD I should buy next. I've known Shane for about 14 years (was going to insert an old picture here, but they are being rather elusive and I can't put my hands on any, probably a good thing!) and therefore he has a pretty good idea of what I would like. He proved this fact by recommending I buy License to Chill. I cannot believe I didn't already own this CD. It is classic Mandy. He then told me which songs he liked best and which ones I would like. Well, let me just say, I put Coast of Carolina on and it has now become my most favorite song. Ever. Every so often a song comes around that just speaks to you. That is the case for me and "Coast of Carolina". I can't even put into words what this song means to me or how it touched me. I read that it was a Valentine from Buffett to his wife, Jane. That would explain a lot as you can feel the emotion behind this song. Perhaps that is why it just touched me to my core, perhaps it's something else. I just know this is a powerful song.
Another great love song from this offering is "Anything Anytime Anywhere" . Here's a sample lyric:
Tomorrow may come. It usually does.
Don't know what it brings for the two of us,
I just want you to know what I'm ready to do,
Anything, anytime, anywhere for you...
Wow. Another speak to your soul kinda song. I don't have much else to say about this one, pretty much summed it up with that lyric.
Playing the Loser Again reminds me of classic Merle Haggard. It's just a good 'ol get drunk and drown your sorrows kinda song. How can you not love it??
Boats to Build with Alan Jackson just seamlessly picks up where "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" left off. It's classic Alan Jackson. These two make beautiful music together. (*side note, "5 o'clock Somewhere" was one of my Dad's favorite songs and sayings. The memory cards from his visitation had "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" written inside of them. We felt it was quite fitting.)
Back to the Island is another of my favorites from this album. Another good drink your sorrows away kinda song...
Window on the World is a fun classic Buffett song. Love the line, "A broken promise I kept too long". Who can't relate to these songs in one way or another?
Scarlet Begonias was apparently one of Buffett's Mom's favorite songs. It, again, is a fun song.
This current flows between us
That will not be denied
You draw me in towards you
Like the Moon pulls the tide
May no Shadow ever fall
that will make me have to call
You someone I used to love
The soulful sound of Nanci Griffith just adds so much heart and feeling to this song. It's a great love song.
I find this selection of songs from Jimmy Buffett to be just a great drinking, reflective CD. There are a range of emotions in these songs, and they all are so heartfelt. Buffett sings these songs with such feeling you can't help but be sucked into what he must have been thinking or feeling as he sang them. They are songs from the heart, the soul, the very core. Even the lighthearted songs from this collection come from experience, or at least they come across that way. Buffett has a way of singing songs that sounds like he is telling you a story. You can pick any song from this CD and I bet you have a story to go along with it. They are just so easy to relate to. That is probably why I have always liked music like this. Buffett, like Harry Chapin and James Taylor, to me, are very good story tellers. You can imagine yourself on a beach somewhere, toes in the sand, beer (or margarita) in hand just watching the waves lap around you as you kick back, listen to the music, and let your mind wander to fond memories or how this song sums up some moment in your life. This CD, as the title says, is your "License to Chill".
