Jimmy Buffett Album: “Down to Earth/High Cumberland Jubilee”

Description :

2 LPs on 1 CD: DOWN TO EARTH (1970)/HIGH CUMBERLAND JUBILEE (1976). <p>This budget-priced twofer combines Jimmy Buffett's 1970 recording debut with his 1976 song cycle HIGH CUMBERLAND JUBILEE. The former album finds the onetime smuggler at home with thinly veiled drug references such as "Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free)," social comment such as "The Christian?" and "The Missionary," and hardscrabble ballads like "There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times," as well as including one of his best early songs, "The Captain and the Kid." The mid-'70s release is a country-oriented set blending the sharp-eyed observation of songs such as "Rockefeller Square" and "Bend a Little" with affecting vignettes such as "Livingston's Gone to Texas" and the down-home "God Don't Own a Car," while the medley of the title track and "Comin' Down Slow" is one of Buffett's most intricately arranged productions.

I am an absolute Buffett fan and as such I hope that Jimmy is not behind this album and so many more like it. It is a scam.

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A LITTLE HISTORY

Jimmy recorded two albums before heading to Key West in the early 70's. Those albums are Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee. These albums are "interesting". I agree that a true fan would be fascinated with these albums, but be warned that they are very different. If you are looking for something along the line of Margaritaville, Five O'Clock Somewhere, or Come Monday, keep on looking.

The record label promptly fired Jimmy after the release of Down to Earth. High Cumberland had been recorded but was not released. Down to Earth went nowhere (which you might understand after listening to it) so their actions are understandable. However, they clearly regretted their decision years later and are trying to make some of the money they missed out on with this product. These songs have been repackaged again and again. Caveat emptor! If you want these songs (and many folks do not and will not) buy them only one time.

Good things about these two albums: original versions of The Captain and the Kid, In the Shelter, and Livingston's Gone to Texas. They are different and something I quite enjoy listening to. And I do know all the words to the other 21 songs as well, but I have to listen to them in private as I know no other human who can stand them (my dogs don't mind too much).

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BACK TO THIS PRODUCT

But buy Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee, NOT this album. How can you spot the bad ones? First clue: this item is listed without a track list. What are they hiding? The fact that this same album is sold under many other names and isn't good enough to want to own multiple copies of. Second clue: when looking at an obscure Buffett album beware of the songs Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free), Captain America, A Mile High in Denver, Ace, High Cumberland Dilemma, and God Don't Own a Car.

In my not so humble opinion: you should only buy this product if you have an unhealthy need to own everything with the name Jimmy Buffett on it, but your money would be better spent on therapy (or bubble wrap).