RIP Jimmy Buffet

[llew]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Wow, thanks for the all the tunes, Fitness.

A little-known fact about Jimmy....

In Chicago, John Prine's very best friend was my guitar hero Steve Goodman, who wrote "The City of New Orleans" (no, Arlo didn't write it). One of GOODMAN'S best friends was Jimmy Buffett. One of Goodman's songs, "Banana Republics," became part of his regular set list.



In the early years, when Jimmy came to Chicago, he was so broke that he didn't have two nickels to rub together. Goodman let him sleep on his couch. When Goodman died of leukemia in 1984 at the young age of 36, it destroyed JB. For years he couldn't even mention Steve's name.

Irony of ironies: Had Goodman lived, he could easily have become JB's bandleader, music director and, if he wanted to, lead guitar player. Goodman would have ended up a multi-millionaire.

I believe I'm correct in saying (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong) that most of those honors over the last few decades fell to Mac McAnlly.

(One final note. Jimmy was also a huge fan and promoter of Jesse Winchester. He had exquisite taste and knew a great song when he got near one.)


sm

I believe you're right...Jimmy and Mac McAnally (sp?) collaborated on many songs and Mac played in his band. Another great talent!

[HFox]

Originally Posted by Stratcat77

I’m hearing many of you refer to him as a brilliant songwriter. Other than Come Monday I’m not familiar with anything other than his silly songs (Fins, Cheeseburger, Margaritaville, etc). I’d love to check out some of the brilliant stuff. Anyone mind sharing a short list of the good ones?

Thanks!

You might consider expanding your musical universe before you use the the term "silly".

[Earl49]

A tough year for my musical heroes. Gordon Lightfoot and now Jimmy Buffet.
I play large portions of both catalogues, big reasons why I play acoustic guitar.

[12barBill]

Scott and Jim, yes Mac McAnally has been a member of the Coral Reefer Band since ~mid 90s. He has contributed much and been a loyal friend to Buffett.

He is a talented writer and great guitar player. In recent years he won the CMA musician of the year award for ~7-8 years in a row. I have met Mac and can also say he is a really good human being.

Along with Mac, guys like Michael Utley and Peter Mayer have also been instrumental musically for quite a long time.

But Buffett has always been staunchly engaged as the "band leader." That was never delegated to someone else. That is something Buffett took seriously. Show prep, rehearsal, recording, song structure were things that he always involved himself with. Buffett's control was something that came between him and Fingers Taylor, but that's not for discussion here.

Anyway, thanks for both of your contributions to the thread. I always enjoy reading what you guys write.

Scott, Buffett's cover of Banana Republics does great honor to Steve.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by llew

Jimmy and Mac McAnally (sp?) collaborated on many songs and Mac played in his band. Another great talent!

I "found" Mac in about '82 when "Nothin' But the Truth" came out....great record.



Another Buffett band mate with a huge talent is Peter Mayer - GREAT guitarist and songwriter - not to be confused with Peter Mayer from Minnesota.

[RP]

According to an official obituary for the star posted to his website, Buffett died at his home in Sag Harbor, New York, at age 76 on Friday from Merkel cell skin cancer — which he had been diagnosed with four years ago. (Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer that often begins as "red, shiny nodules on the face, hands and neck," per the MD Anderson Cancer Center.)

[Stratcat77]

[QUOTE=fitness1;7314688]This ought to keep you busy for a while!


Thank you! Looking forward to checking these out!

[Charmed Life Picks]

I mentioned in my earlier post Jimmy's love of, and support for, the music of Jesse Winchester. Of all the people I've listened to, I don't think any artist more typifies the term a "songwriter's songwriter" than Jesse Winchester. He had the goods. It's anotIher example of Jimmy's generosity and loyalty to old friends that he stood by Jesse through his own battle with cancer, as he had with Steve Goodman.

Jesse resided his entire career below the radar (the only other similar artist I can think of is John Hiatt); and it occurs to me that Jimmy Buffett might well have occupied the next seat over in that basement of anonymity except for one song. Such strange twists and turns. And then I think of the line Jim Carrey uttered in LIAR, LIAR to the wino in the park when he hands him all his money -- "But it won't make you happy!"

I'm not saying Jimmy was unhappy; by all appearances he lead a gifted and gilded life. I'm just saying that Lady Fortune's gaze seems oftentimes random and arbitary. May Jesse and Jimmy both abide in peace.

Some of you may have never heard of Jesse Winchester. In an interview, Bob Dylan said of Jesse, “You can't talk about the best songwriters and not include him."

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by 12barBill

Scott and Jim, yes Mac McAnally has been a member of the Coral Reefer Band since ~mid 90s. He has contributed much and been a loyal friend to Buffett.

He is a talented writer and great guitar player. In recent years he won the CMA musician of the year award for ~7-8 years in a row. I have met Mac and can also say he is a really good human being.

Along with Mac, guys like Michael Utley and Peter Mayer have also been instrumental musically for quite a long time.

But Buffett has always been staunchly engaged as the "band leader." That was never delegated to someone else. That is something Buffett took seriously. Show prep, rehearsal, recording, song structure were things that he always involved himself with. Buffett's control was something that came between him and Fingers Taylor, but that's not for discussion here.

Anyway, thanks for both of your contributions to the thread. I always enjoy reading what you guys write.

Scott, Buffett's cover of Banana Republics does great honor to Steve.

12bBar: Thanks for your post and your clarifications about Jimmy's band members and music directorship. In addition to be a great songwriter and entertainer, methinks Jimmy harbored the heart of a great businessman.

sm

[Slothead56]

Originally Posted by Stratcat77

I’m hearing many of you refer to him as a brilliant songwriter. Other than Come Monday I’m not familiar with anything other than his silly songs (Fins, Cheeseburger, Margaritaville, etc). I’d love to check out some of the brilliant stuff. Anyone mind sharing a short list of the good ones?

Thanks!

Please listen to my favorite JB album, Floridays. Brilliant writing and production.

[RP]

[QUOTE=Stratcat77;7314861]

Originally Posted by fitness1

This ought to keep you busy for a while!


Thank you! Looking forward to checking these out!

I listened to Margaritaville on SiriusXM yesterday and then today listened to a concert in Key West (February 2023). Listening to many songs in the aftermath of his death gave old songs/lyrics very new meanings...

[reeve21]

Been a fan since the early days. Great live shows, picks great songs to cover, really knows how to turn a phrase. The lesser known songs are just as good and often better than the hits. I will really miss him. RIP JB

[matt986]

A guy here in Indianapolis,Tom Battista, was Buffet's stage manager for the past 30 years. The local news channel did this nice interview with him a couple of days ago. I thought some here might like to see it.

[Stratcat77]

His lead guitarist for many years, Peter Mayer is a virtuoso. He’s from my area (St. Louis area). I’ve listened to him for many years. His old band PM was pretty amazing. Just saw him play with his band last year. Excellent. We do one of his in my duo. This one:

https://youtu.be/qvvIghLq32I?si=mrsRyyjanWM1EFuM

[Dave in Edmonds]

Originally Posted by HFox

You might consider expanding your musical universe before you use the the term "silly".

How about "novelty" then?

I've just been a passing fan of Mr. Buffett, but purchased a Greatest Hits CD of his about 15 years ago. I popped it on and heard Come Monday, Margaritaville, Pencil Thin Moustache... and got to thinking that my then 80-year old mother would probably enjoy a copy of it. Then, Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw came on. She never got to listen to the album.

Still, I acknowledge his genius and wish the Son of a Sailorman fair winds and following seas. Our musical heroes are dwindling at an alarming pace.