Almanac Music: Vale Jimmy Buffett
Travelling home to Colac as I listened to The Complete Basement Tapes I was reminded of the reality of mortality, only two of the six musicians who played on those recordings at Big Pink are still living – Garth Hudson and Bob Dylan. Some of the many iconic musicians I grew up with have sadly passed away this year – Robbie Robertson, Jeff Beck, David Crosby, Gordon Lightfoot, and Randy Meisner just to name a few who readily come to mind. As you can see that’s a massive hole in the music loved by many. And for ageing music lovers that is a reality check to think of our own mortality, and of course the corresponding consequences.
With those thoughts still spinning around in my mind, I was shocked by a message that pinged on my phone as I arrived home – Jimmy Buffett had died.
Earlier on that Saturday, I was at function organised by Brian Wise to celebrate another year of broadcasting his radio program Off The Record, on 3RRR.
The gathering, at the Lomond Hotel in Melbourne, included many fellow travellers of one or more of Brian’s many tours to New Orleans over the past thirty odd years or so, and some are also fellow Footy Almanackers.
All of us share a common love of music, and in particular, the music of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the music of New Orleans, and the music that comes under the umbrella of the Americana genre. It is through Brian, his radio program, and his Rhythms magazine that has lead the charge promoting this music we all love, and for many I would suggest, the music favourites we have today were introduced by Brian.
The demographic at Brian’s function is one of much like minded people aged anywhere in their 50s to their 80s. There are some even younger but age is no barrier, it’s the love of the music, and for most, the importance and love of travel involved with the music.
With the upcoming 2024 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival providing a major topic of discussion on the day, we mooted our possible attendance, past highlights, and the ever increasing issue of age and mortality that palpably is raising its obvious head as we age and as we discussed the sad departures of so many icons this year. Some of the friends I chatted with are hoping to make at least one more visit to New Orleans while we are still capable and before we are too old to do so.
I have been a long time fan of Jimmy Buffett’s music but also he was a synonymous figure with Jazzfest over many years as a headline act, a strong supporter of the festival, and a much loved friend of New Orleans. Hours earlier his name had cropped up in discussions about New Orleans, music and ageing.
I’m not certain when I first came across the music of Jimmy Buffett, possibly from some American friends I travelled with in Europe during 1974. They introduced a lot of new music to me previously unheard back home. I do remember hearing a song or two played on the radio after returning home and was immediately hooked by the sound. I bought his two albums he released in 1974, A-1-A and Living And Dying In ¾ Time, and they were constant spinners on my turntable. I think I was attracted to the quirkiness of some of the songs, his relaxed attitude towards life, and the songs, well, they were all good, it was feel good music and a joy to listen to. ‘Pencil Thin Moustache’ was one of those songs played on local radio.
While at Teachers College as part of a film unit I took I even made a rather immature and clumsy effort on Super 8 film to create a clip of ‘A Pirate Looks At 40’, a great song but my effort unfortunately left a lot to be desired. I saw it as a means to introduce Jimmy to my student colleagues.
I was fortunate to see Jimmy Buffett play a couple of times at JazzFest in New Orleans. Always a crowd favourite there, his concerts an infectious delight in which Jimmy never failed to deliver the goods, and always had a major star or two to help him out at his concerts. His music will live on.
Here is Jimmy singing one of most popular songs ‘Margaritaville’ at New Orleans JazzFest in 2019, and I’m somewhere in that crowd! It was incredible to hear possibly fifty thousand people singing along with the song.
Enjoy this playlist of songs by Jimmy Buffett
Vale Jimmy Buffett
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
Read more stories from Almanac Music HERE
If you would like to receive the Almanac Music and Poetry newsletter we will add you to the list. Please email us: [email protected]
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Hey CR, thanks for this and yes, I’m raising a glass.
There are some artists whose death hits harder than others. Jimmy Buffett is right up there for me. Living and Dying is my entry point and about my fave. Havana Daydreamin’ is right up there. However, as you note, he has great songs over a wide array of albums and years.
West Nashville Grand Ballroom is him at his storytelling best.
We all know how good Dennis Cometti was as a footy commentator. He is also a bit of a music buff. In an essay explaining why he was leaving the ABC to go to Channel 7 he cited Jimmy’s song A Pirate Looks at 40 and at least one reader was a Cometti fan for life.
I couldn’t give a rats about the America Cup, a rich man’s sport. However, when we won and the race was scheduled for Freo, we were very excited because Jimmy Buffett toured. That was the highlight of winning the cup. And what a great concert!
Finally, a nod to Jimmy’s friendship with John Prine via Steve Goodman. In fact, Jimmy had friends everywhere. Dylan loved his songs, Macca was a fan.
A sad day indeed.
Cheers
Fine words Col.
RIP Jimmy. Love that man.
Nice bit of work here Col. Jimmy Buffett was one of those quiet achievers.
Terrific tribute. Thanks Col. I had the same JB albums and feel the same about the passing of the years and our heroes.
Jimmy was a level below the others you mention for me. Loved his early stuff like “Come Monday” and “Pirate” but for a confirmed melancholic like me he got a little too trite and cheerful with all the “Margaritavile” stuff etc. I lost track of him 40 years ago. For me his greatest legacy is the title and cover photo of his second album “A White Sports Coat and a Pink Crustacean”. A pun for the ages.
Thanks RK,DB, DOD, and PB for your always insightful comments, they are appreciated and welcome.
I’ve been surprised by the incredible amount of outpouring of love and loss for Jimmy Buffett in the media and social media.Obviously he was much loved but by many, many more than I ever thought.
Come Monday (off Living & Dying in 3/4 Time) is the JB song that resonates with me the most.
That song reached no.12 in the Aussie charts and was his most popular hit on Aussie shores.
As for other songwriters/musicians who have passed this year – yes, the list is long including two of my all time favourites – Rodriguez & Robbie Robertson. Only today we have lost Steve Harwell – the voice of ‘I’m A Believer’ from the Shrek movie & Gary Wright – who will be remembered (by some) for his song ‘Dream Weaver’.
This year, Australia has lost Renee Geyer, Algy Ward (UK but original member/bass player of The Saints), Louis Tillett, Ron Peno. I remain most grateful to have experienced & been moved by all of the above.
Thanks for those thoughts and memories Colin. Summer 1986-1987 was the America’s Cup in Fremantle. Jimmy was there for some of it. One Sunday (in fact I think more than one) he came along to the Sunday session at the Fisher brothers’ Seaview Tavern in South Terrace where the Jam Tarts and Nansing Quartet were playing their regular gig to a packed house. Jimmy in his Hawaiian shirt fitted right in and before long was induced on stage to join the bands in a rollicking journey through some of his greatest hits., culminating in Margaritaville. Afterwards, he had time for a chat for everyone. It is my favourite memory of that summer which was long and warm and fun. It also marked a significant change in career path for me, I turned 28 and I don’t think any summer after that was quite the same. But I know it was my own damn fault. I will always associate Jimmy with that last wave of a summer. Sail on JB.
Hey John Gordon, you lucky devil, you saw JB jam with Jim Fisher! Wow and wee! We were aware and heard the rumours but alas, missed out on such a brilliant way to see him play. You have also triggered memories of many wonderful Sunday afternoon gigs at the Seaview.
We were at Jimmy’s Concert Hall gig which was damn good. We had tickets (front row) to the follow up tour at the Perth Entertainment Centre but it got cancelled due to poor ticket sales and is why I left Perth. (The last bit was a joke). Cheers
I first bought a Jimmy Buffett album in 1977 (or maybe 78). In the next few years I bought most of his other albums. I saw him perform twice once in 1987 (in Melbourne, but it was part of his America’s Cup Tour) and about ten years ago at the Palais.
Jimmy was unique. His basic style is Country but Caribbean and Latin American styles are overlaid. There are major Tropical and sailing themes to the storylines of his songs. My favourite singer songwriters are storytellers, regardless of genre and Jimmy was one of the best.
A great song writer and musician.
Many favourite songs. Outside the usual favourites, perhaps, was his “Somewhere Over China”. A marvellous existentialist piece.
RDL