4 Underrated Jimmy Buffett Songs of the 1970s - A Commentary
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2024
- For most people who come to appreciate the songs of Jimmy Buffett, you’ll notice an abundance of great songs written and recorded during the 1970s. It was a prolific time for Buffett. He wrote and recorded his most beloved and well-known songs like “Come Monday,” “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and “He Went to Paris.”
I’m going to explore four great, but underrated Jimmy Buffett songs from the 1970s. These are tunes that didn’t appear on the “Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads” box set or the acoustic “Songs You Don’t Know By Heart” album. They’re the deep, deep cuts.
I’ll try to express what I think about these songs, and I’ll also share some audio and video recordings to make my points. You’ll see clips and quotes from interviews I did with Jerry Jeff Walker, Coral Reefer Peter Mayer, hit songwriter Larry Bastian and acclaimed singer-songwriter Greg Bridgewater.
Keep in mind, I may not mention your favorite Buffett song from the 1970s. Making this list wasn’t easy, but let’s get going.
For me its got to be In The Shelter. Another great story with a slightly unpredictable melody that echoes the chaotic life on the streets of the "lonely princess" whom the song is about.
“In the Shelter,” is way up there on my list. It’s one of two songs that Buffett has recorded three different studio versions of… it’s a phenomenal song.
For me...Jimmy passing is the end of an Era. But I'm an old man now.
It is the end of an era.
It’s most definitely an end of an era.
Always loved Jimmy's version of spider John that Willis Alan Ramsey did. Along with the wino and i know. "Strange situation, wild occupation, livin my life like a song"
Thanks for stopping by! You may be interested in my interview with the great Willis Alan Ramsey where he talks about the “Ballad of Spider John.” 😊
Just found this video, it's now the Sunday following Jimmy's passing... Love your list (my fave is probably "Livingston"), but I'd add Captain and the Kid, as well as "Miss You so Badly" and as someone mentioned below another gem from Changes "In the Shelter". I realize covers don't count (not really a JB "song"). but Jimmy's version of Spider John is pretty epic...
Absolutely one of his very best! Wonder Why we ever go home!!! When he passed… this is the first song that played in my head…
It’s an extraordinary song! Wonderful.
These four songs are some real gems. I have loved these tunes for years
Glad you liked them sir. Check out the 2000s one if interested.
Thanks for kindly taking the time to comment.
Honorable mentions:
1. Frenchman For A Night
2. Island Fever
3. False Echoes
4. Ellis Dee
Not sure when he released it, but Barefoot Children in the Rain is a gem for me. Hope Jimmy’s rocking in Heaven’s Ragtime Band right now!
That was in 1995. It’s a wonderful song!
Great great song!
Just found this. My favorite deep track is Death of an Unpopular Poet. Speaks to me for some reason I can't explain. Feels like he wrote his own eulogy. Loved all his music, but the early stuff hits emotions harder. Thanks Jimmy,
@@maxcalhoun1978 Thanks for coming by. Glad you like the early stuff!
"Mile High In Denver" "There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times" "Migration" "Captain America" "Cowboy In The Jungle" "Brand New Country Star" "My Lovely Lady" "Manana" and the magnificent "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown"
I’m going into that song in an upcoming commentary 😉
Have just come across this video via a link in a dedicated Jimmy Buffett website.
Am very surprised that more people haven't apparently viewed the video, let alone responded.
At the moment, early February 2023, there's been something of a difference of opinion between Jimmy's rusted on early fans, like me, and others who give equal praise to his later material as well.
I am firmly of the opinion that Jimmy's material from the early Key West, Don Gant produced, vinyls and naturally, several of the Norbet Putnam vinyls clearly represent Jimmy's best music.
His early material clearly drew directly on his life experiences,and took very little time to write. Even his de facto signature tune, so he has said, only took 30 minutes to write, about half while waiting to catch his plane from Austin to Key West and the balance after arriving in Key West.
Many thanks for taking the time to review these largely neglected early songs.
Tbh, I think there are other early songs equally, if not more deserving of this type of analysis.
You requested specific responses.
Livingstone never evoked the depth of reaction that both you and Peter Mayer found.
I would also bracket Brahma Fear directly with Ringlin Ringlin and Brand New Country Star.
There are also some other back catalogue tracks that have ,after basically lying dormant for decades, been featured in more recent concerts.
Have in mind, Pencil Thin Moustache, Tin Cup For A Chalice, and now with Tom's tragic death, Billy Voltaire will see some attention in general and potential concert time.
Add, again, They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More, and you have just another quirky Jimmy track carried with an excellent melody.
I trust you post an " 80's Analysis ", if so, I will check the release dates of all Jimmy's 80's material and provide some commentary.
Thanks, again, for the time and effort you put into this project and I sincerely trust you receive a large and considered response.
Robert, thank you for such a thought-out comment. There are so many great songs. Even 10 years ago I would not have had this list. :)
I totally agree things changed after Coconut telegraph
Ringling, Ringling for sure ❤️
I also feel the writing before Coconut telegraph was Superior I believe he was thinking more commercial after that point in time.
a few of my favorite songs , are A pirate looks at forty and A cowboy in the jungle, He went to Paris, Death of an unpopular poet, Banana Republic (which he did not write but he did a much better cover). I have been a fan of Jimmy Buffett since 1977 I even have the "Before the salt album"
Some great ones for sure. Difficult to pick "best" songs. "I Have Found Me a Home" and "Death of an Unpopular Poet" are gems, too. Keep up the good work. The channel was a good idea with awesome content. All the best!
it is impossible to pick just one, or even 10 "best" of buffett's catalog. each of his songs speak to different situations, so while "wonder while we ever go home" might speak to you one day "elvis imitators" might be the answer the next day. probably the 70's was his most prolific time of "strange metaphors" as he used to call them. but i think every part of his catalog has its own unique , strange , and wonderful gems.
It wasn’t easy picking 4 underrated of each decade. But I picked what I felt were the most underrated and they each have a story.
Good job! Some of my favs especially Beahm Fear
I’m glad you liked it. Sorry about Jimmy’s passing.
Makin' 'Music For Money (FROM A1A) was always one of my favorite JB lesser-known songs. Though he didn't write it, it was a perfect example of his ethos.
Ironic in that he made his music and built an empire in the process.
@@bp-ob8ic I like it too. I’m working on a piece that mentions that song.
Well done, Paul. I really enjoyed this. Excellent choices
l totally agree .l have been listening to Buffett since 1975/76. l also was hooked on his( as you most aptly put it) "whimsical pontifications"
It is difficult for me to list his most underrated songs
I’m glad you stopped by here, Anthony! Thanks !
Great choices.
Thank you for checking out the video. 80s one is coming up!
Peter Mayer looks a lot like Jimmy Buffett. I watched a video with a younger Peter in it, and thought it was Jimmy at first.
definitely agree with these; I would also pick Tampico Trauma, Pirate Looks at 40, The Wino and I Know, Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season, I Have Found a Home...
@@jimi99colorado I’m glad you liked my picks. I plan on exploring something related to this idea very soon.
@@thepaulleslie especially brahma and livingston
@@jimi99colorado I love those songs.
Lovely Cruise…the piano and harmonica drive this over the edge
@@erichstegmaier8596 it’s a great song, for sure. One of the best from the 70s that he didn’t write. Yes, the instrumentation is great! You got that right!
I love this. $ songs that I would put would be "The Missionary", Truckstop Salvation", God Don't Own A Car", and my guilty pleasure fun Buffett song, "Captain America".
I was thinking about "The Missionary." It's a great song!
God don’t own a car is one of my all time favs! So many favorites but I love that one!
Thank you for sharing this!
My pleasure! Thanks for watching it!
The version on "Living And Dying" is completely reworked from the original. I very much prefer that version. Those drums and that steel guitar can just give me goosebumps listening to that.
All of my favorite Buffett songs are the ones that never got any radio play. It's a strange story how I got hooked into listening to his music.
There were some fantastic Buffett songs that never got airplay!
I love Wonder why we ever go home ! I loved it the first time I heard it .
@@douggauzy6258 It’s a fabulous song!
Brahma Fear is excellent! Other underrated standouts from the 70's include Defying Gravity (the late Tim Russert's favorite), African Friend, Nautical Wheelers, Stories We Could Tell, They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More, Dreamsicle and West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown.
A great era
West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gowns ... a simple story in a little over two minutes
I love that song. It’s very unusual, but very good!
One of my faves. Along with Cowboy in the Jungle, Woman Going Crazy on Caroline Street, The Wino and I Know, and In the Shelter.
A1A Making Music for Money the very first song I heard him sing !!!!
Interesting! How did you come to hear that song?
@@thepaulleslie I was at a bonfire drinking a cold frosty foamier and smoking a joint and the words got to me !!!
@@robertpearl5884 nothing like a bonfire to bring a tune out. I’ve got an interview on this channel with Alex Harvey who wrote the song. He was quite a guy. And a sweet man.
ruclips.net/video/e-JTw4-30SU/видео.htmlsi=sIGXOoc6sbHIX9-_
I also like there's a woman going crazy on Caroline street
It’s a good song!
I like Travellin Clean from High Cumberland Jubilee
@@ABSolom39 I like that one too! One of Jimmy’s first co-writes
Pay the minimart back
god don't own a car
That's a great little ditty! Co-written by the great Buzz Cason!