You will never catch me in a parrot hat. Never.
Jan 5 2009 in Reviews by Deborah Bach
There was a story in the newspaper the other day about Jimmy Buffett’s astounding success. Skimming over it, I almost choked on my coffee as one sentence in particular caught my eye. It mentioned Jimmy Buffett’s average annual income—more than $40 million.
How the hell is that possible, I thought? For most of his career the guy had just one top 10 hit, in 1977, the schlocky, irritatingly ubiquitous Margaritaville.
Turns out Buffett is more canny than his beach bum schtick suggests. He’s managed to parlay his cheesy tropical fantasy into a lucrative empire that includes two restaurant chains, clothes and shoes, household items, drink blenders, booze and a soon-to-be-built casino. He recently put out his first No. 1 album, “License to Chill,” plays sold-out shows and seems to be more popular than ever.
All this to say Buffett isn’t fading away into the sunset, which pretty much guarantees that I won’t be able to avoid hearing his insipid music at every boating get-together we go to. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of hate mail for writing this, but his music’s as boring to me as sitting through a trigonometry class. I don’t get the appeal. Maybe the baby boomers are hearing something I’m not.
But I’m not the only one. On his television travel show “No Reservations,” chef and author Anthony Bourdain was visiting a Hawaiian shirt store and when told that Jimmy Buffett paid $4,000 for a shirt (some beach bum!), he remarked:
Everywhere I go … everywhere there’s a palm tree or a ski slope, Jimmy Buffet’s been there first. He’s driving the price of shirts up. He’s opening his hamburger places everywhere. And I hear that damn lost in Margaritaville in every good bar in the world. He has personally ruined my life.
I feel your pain, Anthony. Whenever there’s a group of boaters around, there’s no escaping the Cheeseburger in Paradise hell. It’s not just the bland-as-pablum aspect of the music that irks me-it’s also how wildly absurd the whole tropical beach fantasy, kick-off-your-flip-flops delusion seems when you’re in the Northwest, shivering your arse off in layers of fleece and long underwear.
My generation needs our own Jimmy Buffett, a seafaring hipster who sings smart songs about stormy seas and the fierce beauty of the Pacific Northwest. He must be out there somewhere, and I can guarantee he’s not wearing a retarded-looking parrot hat.
In the meantime, I offer you a list of some of our favorite sailing music, in no particular order. Put that margarita down, pour yourself a tumbler of some good rum and enjoy:
- Martin Hayes – Under the Moon (CD). If you’re not yet a fan of traditional Irish fiddle music, this CD is likely to change that. The Irish-born Hayes’ lyrical, meditative brand of fiddling is so beautiful it’ll make your heart ache. It’s equally perfect for a peaceful sail on a sunny afternoon or a rainy, lazy afternoon reading in the salon.
- Air – Moon Safari (CD). Melodic and lush, this CD—particularly the first track, “La Femme l’Argent”—sends me into a blissful trance every time I listen to it. I like the instrumental tracks best but the songs with lyrics are also terrific. It’s electronica at its timeless, seductive best. Sailing has never been so sexy.
- Gillian Welch – Dear Someone (from “Time (The Revelator)”). This sweet, slow waltz tells a story of someone building a boat and sailing off around the world to find her love. It’s a beautiful little gem on a traditional country/bluegrass album filled with some of the most inspired songwriting I’ve heard.
- Lily Allen – Alright, Still (CD). The debut by this sassy, gutter-mouthed Brit was one of our favorites from last year. Singing with a delightful Cockney brogue about topics ranging from her pot-smoking little brother to her glee over the suffering of a philandering ex-boyfriend, Allen offers up a delightfully varied pastiche of pop, ska, reggae and hip hop with wickedly funny lyrics that contrast wonderfully with her catchy, upbeat melodies.
- Burl Ives – Down to the Sea in Ships (LP). First, the bad news: released in 1956, this album is out of print. We burned a copy onto a CD from an LP. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on it, it’s a classic with traditional old sea shanties like “Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor” and “Go Down You Red Red Roses.” Ives’ folky stylings might make the traditionalists wince, but with musical maritime yarns about ghost ships sailing to hell, sailors getting rolled by prostitutes and lighthouse keepers who sleep with mermaids, can you really go wrong?
- Kings of Convenience – Riot on a Quiet Street (CD). The second release from this Norweigan acoustic duo is equally as good as its acclaimed debut, “Quiet Is The New Loud.” Though the band chafes at the comparison, its harmonizing is reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel, but the music is much more complex and interesting. At turns upbeat, jazzy and wistful, it’s a nuanced, brilliant collection of songs.
- Postal Service – Give Up (CD). For us children of the ‘80s, this is a great throwback to the pop-synth style of that era. Its catchy, wonderfully complex songs manage to sound both retro (think Depeche Mode, New Order and OMD) and timeless. Mixing dance beats with orchestral sampling, organ and other instrumentation, it’s not just fun to listen to, but interesting.
- Belle and Sebastian – Piazza, New York Catcher (from “Dear Catastrophe Waitress”). I like the entire album but this acoustic track has a special spot in my heart, since we played it right after our wedding ceremony. It’s about a couple playfully tripping around the world together. The lyrics start with “Elope with me, Miss Private, and we’ll sail around the world, I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl.”
- Townes Van Zandt – Rear View Mirror (CD). Many a night has been spent lying in the cockpit, looking at the stars and listening to the 17 extraordinary tracks on this album by the late, influential singer-songwriter and poet. Countless artists have tried on the wandering troubadour persona but Van Zandt was the real deal, a tortured genius who penned hauntingly beautiful songs that are his lasting legacy.
- The Waterboys – Fisherman’s Blues (CD). The rollicking, wistful title track is the quintessential paean to the romantic lure of the open ocean, and the rest of the album is equally good. Comprising musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England, The Waterboys blend Irish folk and rock for a sound that’s unmistakably their own.
What music do you listen to when you’re boating? Does Mr. Margaritaville give you a hangover? Are you a Parrothead who wants to tell me how wrong I am? Fire away. Post a comment below.
[poll id="3"]
Matthew C. Kriner said on November 22, 2009
One of my favorite artists, thank you! You can find loads of their music this over at this site
Andrew Pelt said on November 22, 2009
One of my favorite artists, thank you! You can find loads of their music this over here
Michael Oswald said on November 10, 2009
A late comment if I may. In my shabby opinion Jimmy B’s music is worth one or two listens but after that it wears me out. Where JB shines is in his writing-truly. Oh sure, none of it would pass a college professors red pen, but most college professors never go anywhere and know even less of life. What many of you may not realize is that the names of the locales and the rather strange people that inhabit his books (people do get strange living in the Caribbean) are a cover for the real thing.
I spent 10 years in the Caribbean (69’-’78) doing honest work and sailing as much as possible. Years later waiting at an airport, I bought one of his first books. Just a few pages into the book I recognized many characters-good and bad-that had walked by in of my past. Man-don’t stop the Carnival!
Jack Tar said on August 13, 2009
After his last remark about never playing another concert in the Pacific Northwest or the fact that his tickets often bring $150 dollars or more I don’t have much time for him. For me his time has come and gone. I agree his music was great, he did a lot for the Trop Rock scene and he still continues to influence millions of Parrot Heads. Just not this one. I enjoy the other artists who are working hard on the circuit. I find there music to be more about what is relevant to cruisers and their lyrics more refreshing. Sorry Jimmy. Perhaps I would have felt different is you hadn’t sold out to corporate America.
Brian said on August 11, 2009
I listened to all 10 suggestions. I thought it was interesting, but I probably wouldn’t listen to them again. I use to listen to a lot of jimmy buffet songs, but I got bored with them. I like to make playlist with themes. One theme I created is called “Mexico Songs”. Every Song has to have to be about Mexico. Below is an example:
1. Ransom Tullis and the Luxury Liner – Mexico Song
2. Enchanted Ape – Mexico Song
3. moe. – Mexico
4. The Toluenes – A Song About Mexico
5. Steve Kristoff and Renana Gross – Mexico
6. Jami Grooms – H*ll or Mexico
I have a Rhapsody.com account so I can listen to anything. I also like music from the Texas Red Dirt curcuit, Classic Rock & Roll and some Reggae.
Brian
Mikey said on July 7, 2009
dudes …you either get it or you don’t. Don’t try to overthink it. Buffet is Buffet and if you are in a good place, he will sound good. Life is easy if you stop overthinking everything. Chill out and just go with it.
You know it just happened to be Jimmy …could have been anyone with a similar jingle and some stories. We as a country were hurtin for the style and when it happened, we embraced it. And look, we’re still talking about it.
See you on the raft buddies …don’t forget to have a cold one and chill.
Mikey
Carolyn said on June 13, 2009
loved story.
Dave said on May 3, 2009
There are over 50 singer/songwriters all over the nation playing trop rock on what we call the “Sunburn Circuit”. Jimmy started it but there are a whole big bunch of artists playing the genre that are very talented. Google Jim Morris, “Sunny” Jim White, John Reno, Scott Kirby, Hugo Duarte, Gary Seiler, Rob Mehl, Don Middlebrook, Brent Burns and the list goes on. I’m the only Trop Rock artist in the NW, lived her all my life and have a new CD which includes a song about an Orca that’s imprisoned in the Miami Seaquarium. tropzone.net
Late Boomer said on April 9, 2009
Personally, I can’t stand this kind of comment…
“Hmmm. Might want to tone down the attack on Buffet. He is everywhere because a lot of people like him. Not sure if it is a good idea to to alienate a huge potential audience (baby boomers that like buffet and the money for sail boats).”
Chronologically, I’m a boomer (very late) but this comes across to me as an implied threat…ohhh, you better not upset these graying geezers. They have money.
Isn’t it enough we have to watch Centrum Silver commercials with this kind of music in the background ad infinitum ad naseum.
Lighten up. If these people really listen to Buffett then they probably have a ‘devil may care’ attitude. Heck, they’re probably drunk anyway.
boomer said on March 22, 2009
With the lights out, it’s less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino
A mosquito, my libido
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial
Try that on your MP3 on a sizzling reach, trapeze, kite and all.
There’s your ALT Jimmy Buffett.
Never wore a stupid parrot hat.
But knew PNW weather.
Jiff said on March 15, 2009
Love Jimmy, primarily the feel good lyrics. Kind of exhausted his scenarios post 70s, but there are some pearls in those early albums. The songs of the new Jimmy, Kenny Chesney, pale in comparison.
Mandy said on February 1, 2009
I am an East Coaster by heritage. We spent most of our college breaks making road trips from Central NJ to the Florida Keys for sailing and diving. Something happened when we drove through the Carolina’s. Suddenly Buffett was the perfect background music. I cannot blame it on being in a car for that lenght of sleep deprived time or the whole south Eastern part of the US but he does fit in there. I agree the Pacific Northwest and Buffett are like wearing a miniskirt to a black tie affair.
Spend some brain frying time in the South East, you’ll see.
Julia said on January 23, 2009
Would you rather be forced to listen to “Cheeseburger in Paradise” or “Come Sail Away”?
Brian H said on January 22, 2009
And by the way, I own 16 Buffett CD’s. I OD’d in my late teens and college, but still like the stuff. That said, probably wouldn’t wear a parrot hat as well, but that’s my thing…
admin said on January 22, 2009
It’s a tad tongue in cheek, but okay – I’ll have a listen.
Brian H said on January 22, 2009
Ok just for fun, get on iTunes and listen to a snippet of “Ellis Dee”.
I agree your disdain for Buffett is quite extreme…the alternative music suggestions are good though.
Karl said on January 21, 2009
Hmmm. Might want to tone down the attack on Buffet. He is everywhere because a lot of people like him. Not sure if it is a good idea to to alienate a huge potential audience (baby boomers that like buffet and the money for sail boats).