Jimmy Buffett Album: “Down to Earth”

Sorry I missed this one when it first came out. Apart from The early version of "Captain and The Kid" I found this unlike any of his albums I have. More of a Sixties protest album than his later "On the Beach", laid back efforts. An absolute must for those looking for something different from Jimmy.

Those familiar with his later work will notice a stark transformation in style between his first two albums - Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee - and his next effort A White Sport Coat & A Pink Crustacean. This can be summed up by one word; Ocean. His first albums were recorded in Nashville, and you have to admit that it is rare for a Texan to voice the kind of social commentry that we find in Jimmy's early albums.

There is not a weak spot on this one. The Christian is the first track and a scathing hit out at Western religous hypocracy. Ellis Dee (AKA: LSD) looks at the plight of a Black man down on his luck, again social commentry. The Missionary is related to the Christian, an indightment of the values an American missionary is preeching, while at home things are less than pretty. A Mile High in Denver strait Texas Rock, about paryting in the mountains on a shoestring. The Captain and the Kid is a deft and touching piece of poetry describing Jimmys relation to his Merchant Marine Grandfather. Captain America is a hilarious crack at incompetent liberal do-gooders (bring back the real hero's)

Ain't He a Genius? Jimmys best song ever, inspiring to Young artists of all types. Probably my favorite song ever by anyone. Turnabout- Old girlfriend never die! There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times tells of life without Millions of dollars something Jimmy would barely remember and the last two tracks are solid as well.

Buy it, Love it!

If you own Before the beach than you may want to hesitate before buying Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee, but on the other hand if your like myself you need these to complete your collection.

absolutely love jb - music, lyrics famastic. jb can park his things undermy bed anytime :)!

Wish is to have the complete JB collection!

This review is from the perspective of a young chap who wasn't alive yet when this or any of the 'classic' Buffett came out. To be honest, I was initially sort of put off by Mr. Buffett at first listen. I thought he and his music was cheesy and fake. And well, I think even some of his biggest fans, if they were honest with themselves, would agree that some of it IS! But not this early stuff. Especially not this first album and his follow-up, High Cumberland Jubilee. It may be somewhat dated, what with the 60's protest folk/Texas rock vibe dominating most of the songs, but hey! Most of these songs are actually pretty great! A fair warning to "Parrotheads" though...this is a rootsy, folksy, fire-side companion kind of album. Forget the rum and break out the whiskey and keep your roach clip handy, cause there is NOTHING even remotely beach-like on this record! It's not flawless by any means (check out the hilarious attempt at a Grateful Dead style 'jam' at the end of the otherwise great "Truckstop Salvation" for example), the band wasn't nearly as tight as they would be in just a few years, not to mention side 2 isn't quite as entertaining as side 1, but still almost every song is a winner to my ears!