Refer to yourself as an artist, and I’ll have no choice but to regard you as one who has no clue what it is to which you think you aspire, and as one who takes him/herself much too seriously
Sep 5, 2023·edited Sep 5, 2023Liked by NotFromTexas
Fantastic write-up! More to follow in the the AM but also a lapsed Parrot Head, Bill and I are playing Pencil Thin Mustache at our Thu night Open Mic in New Freedom, and we'd just started arranging Wonder Why We Never Go Home the last few weeks - we didn't know how good it would be this week but I doubt it'll be ready. And we've done Margaritaville 3 or 4 times out over the years.
I've seen Buffett 7 times, counting when I hear the news on Saturday, with Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD being the site of one of my fave two. The other was at the venue formerly known as the Baltimore Arena with a 8 or 9 years post-Lowell Little Feat opening.
Mrs. Pi told our Sunday Smoked Pork Extravaganza guests that I was in mourning, strumming Gulf and Western songs all day. It's a little true at least.
And God's Own Drunk is a great last cut to include. I hope JB's enjoying a Sarsaparilla in the Moonlight with Buddy Bear.
This was a very interesting deep dive into the phenomena that was Buffet. I was never particularly a fan of his music but came to appreciate his performance professionalism from doing security for many of his shows throughout the years. He developed what I term “sloppy” approach to the show that was anything but. The biggest concern I always had to convey to the guys and gals interacting with the audience in a security capacity is that they needed to be aware of the copious amounts of liquor being consumed and would be dealing with an inordinate number of drunks so be patient. My favorite Buffet story goes thusly. I was working a show in Phoenix and my daughter who was working the ticket booth called me. There was a family from somewhere in Nebraska that was there and had a custom made tshirt from their local fan club. They wondered if someone could get it to him. I went out there, talked to them and said I’d see what I could do but no promises. I went backstage and when Buffet arrived I gave it to him with an explanation of what it was. I had no idea what he would do with it but when his set opened he went out wearing the shirt. I imagine that made the trip from Nebraska more memorable. I hope they were able to get a picture. At least they have a hell of a memory. Anyway a great look back.
Your passion for who an actual artist is, and how Buffett fits within the entire pantheon of other singer - songwriters, clearly comes through in this piece. We’ll done. For me, it brought some closure to a week of not only grieving how we lost a treasure, but mourning the passage of time where our greats are greatly gone - greatly missed. Let’s savor each song the radio still plays, and appreciate what we had. I live in the area he resided for many years - Tampa Bay. And I can assure you all, Florida weeps.
Fantastic write-up! More to follow in the the AM but also a lapsed Parrot Head, Bill and I are playing Pencil Thin Mustache at our Thu night Open Mic in New Freedom, and we'd just started arranging Wonder Why We Never Go Home the last few weeks - we didn't know how good it would be this week but I doubt it'll be ready. And we've done Margaritaville 3 or 4 times out over the years.
I've seen Buffett 7 times, counting when I hear the news on Saturday, with Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD being the site of one of my fave two. The other was at the venue formerly known as the Baltimore Arena with a 8 or 9 years post-Lowell Little Feat opening.
Mrs. Pi told our Sunday Smoked Pork Extravaganza guests that I was in mourning, strumming Gulf and Western songs all day. It's a little true at least.
And God's Own Drunk is a great last cut to include. I hope JB's enjoying a Sarsaparilla in the Moonlight with Buddy Bear.
Mañana!
This was a very interesting deep dive into the phenomena that was Buffet. I was never particularly a fan of his music but came to appreciate his performance professionalism from doing security for many of his shows throughout the years. He developed what I term “sloppy” approach to the show that was anything but. The biggest concern I always had to convey to the guys and gals interacting with the audience in a security capacity is that they needed to be aware of the copious amounts of liquor being consumed and would be dealing with an inordinate number of drunks so be patient. My favorite Buffet story goes thusly. I was working a show in Phoenix and my daughter who was working the ticket booth called me. There was a family from somewhere in Nebraska that was there and had a custom made tshirt from their local fan club. They wondered if someone could get it to him. I went out there, talked to them and said I’d see what I could do but no promises. I went backstage and when Buffet arrived I gave it to him with an explanation of what it was. I had no idea what he would do with it but when his set opened he went out wearing the shirt. I imagine that made the trip from Nebraska more memorable. I hope they were able to get a picture. At least they have a hell of a memory. Anyway a great look back.
Anyone who is a self-professed anything always worries me. ;-) If you have to *tell* someone, you probably aren't.
An excellent piece. I found Jimmy Buffet long after his heyday I think, but his death sideswiped me.
A very nice piece.
Last Mango in Paris was an underrated, very fun album.
I just started humming Frank and Lola and think I have to share this with Bill.
"So I took her to this movie called... Body Heat ... The Junior Mints were mushy and the sex was neat!"
Simple, some harp, maybe a piano...
Your passion for who an actual artist is, and how Buffett fits within the entire pantheon of other singer - songwriters, clearly comes through in this piece. We’ll done. For me, it brought some closure to a week of not only grieving how we lost a treasure, but mourning the passage of time where our greats are greatly gone - greatly missed. Let’s savor each song the radio still plays, and appreciate what we had. I live in the area he resided for many years - Tampa Bay. And I can assure you all, Florida weeps.