Jimmy Buffett Album: “Coconut Telegraph”

Jimmy yells at the beginning of The Weather is Here,Wish You Were Beautiful" Well, I'm glad you did Bubba, because this is one of his most solid albums. No filler on this one folks. Where Jimmy really shines here is on the ballads. Incommunicado, It's my Job, Island. Jimmy has always said he'd like to do a concert and just sing his ballads, but he thinks the fans wouldn't go for it. Don't underestimate us. To those who can't live without hearing Margaritaville,well they can just stay home! My theme song (well, one of many) is included on Coconut Telegraph. Growing Older But Not Up. Go down to the record store and but this album now! Or just get it here from Amazon (shameless plug):<)

Around the time of "Coconut Telegraph" Buffett was beginning to leave his hard partying days behind him and becoming a more "mature" artist. Album sales really began to fall off by this time, but "Coconut" remains one of the gems in Buffett's repertoire as the material is strong throughout the disc. Every song on this album is a good one, and a few have become Buffett classics. All of the songs except for two are Buffett originals. "It's My Job" is a great song about people doing various things for a living written by fellow Coral Reefer band member Mac McAnally. "Stars Fell On Alabama" is another cover that fits Buffett's style perfectly. Of the Buffett originals the title track is a great one. "Incommunicado" deals with the death of John Wayne. "Growing Older But Not Up" is classic Buffett with one of his famous lines "I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead. "The Good Fight (Co-written with J.D. Souther) is another strong track. "The Weather Is Here I Wish You Were Beautiful" is a classic Buffett play on words and a fan favorite to this day. The album closes out with the mellow "Island" and a song about his daughter "Little Miss Magic". "Coconut Telegraph" is not an album that you often see mentioned along side some of earlier bigger sellers, but this album really is one of his best.

I love all Buffett's albums, but this is one my faves. Every song is just perfect Buffett. He is a great song writer, story teller, and just makes me feel relaxed.

This is a great album to listen to when you are sitting on a beach drinking fruity beverages, and watching the sun. Or when it is bitterly cold out and you just want a little bit of warmth, Oh, do I miss the summer....Just putting any Buffett brings summer back to me.

On the whole, I highly recommend this album to all Buffett fans, even nonfans who just want something to chill out to.

Coconut Telegraph has a much more personal feel than other albums of his during this time period. He sings about his daughter growing up, John Wayne's passing and many trials he and people close him had to contend with. It is a more mature album and is more introspective and contemplative. And this is an excellent side of Jimmy. There are more ballads and the lyrics seem more personal to him. However, he never loses site of the 'Buffett' personality so even in the most contemplative moment, he can interject humor and good time. This is an excellent album and one of my favorites.

The full-fledged "beach music" album, not the pretentious early folk, or the dull middle folk; it's the popular Jimmy Buffett, the sound that made him a star.