Jimmy Buffett Album: “Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Box]”

"Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads" encompasses 20 years of Jimmy Buffett's material, from 1970-1990. It includes 72 songs (about 4 hours, 26 minutes) taken from 19 studio albums and 1 live album, as well as 8 previously unreleased tracks. The songs are distributed among 4 CDs, each dedicated to a boats, beaches, bars or ballads theme. There are Top 10 hits and obscure gems, all of consistently high quality.

As Jimmy Buffett is a man with sailing in his blood, the songs on the "Boats" CD seem close to his heart. "Boats"' 17 songs (66:22 minutes) are, for the most part, literally about sailing and sailors. The selection includes the popular "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" and background vocals by James Taylor on "Treat Her Like a Lady". "Love and Luck " is a previously unreleased track, written to a Zouk melody and featuring Steve Winwood on organ. "Take It Back" also makes its debut here.

Many of the songs on the "Beaches" CD were written about Buffett's days on Key West, the Gulf Coast, and the Caribbean. Others have nothing to do with the beach, but evoke an atmosphere of sand and sun. There are 18 "beach" songs (63:16 minutes), starting with the Parrot Head national anthem, "Margaritaville". "Money Back Guarantee" and "Christmas in the Caribbean" were previously unreleased.

The "Bars" CD kicks off with the rousing "Fins". Some of these 18 songs (61:35 minutes) are about bars; more may have been composed in bars, but mostly they are distinguished by indoors themes and lively beats. "Boats" is the Party CD. The slightly scandalous "Why Don't We Get Drunk" is here, along with Buffett's humorous, previously unreleased attempt at Elvis imitation, "Elvis Imitators". "Domino College" was also new as of this album.

The "Ballads" CD is self-explanatory. The melancholic-yet-optimistic hit "Come Monday" starts it off. The 19 ballads (74:22 minutes) include "Middle of the Night" and a live performance of "Everlasting Moon", both previously unreleased.

"Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads" is packaged in a 12 1/2" x 6" x 1 1/4" box that holds 4 CDs, each with its own jewel case, and a 63-page booklet entitled "The Parrot Head Handbook". In the Handbook, Jimmy Buffett comments on Parrot Heads, his search for a real "Margaritaville", the genesis of his career, and his seaplane, among other topics. There is fun stuff like a Parrot Head quiz, crossword puzzle, "Can you find Jimmy?" in old photos game, a recipe for the perfect Margarita, and a list of the world's 10 Best Cheeseburgers. Buffet has written a blurb telling the story behind every song, but lyrics are only included for "Margaritaville". Look for other lyrics at www.margaritaville.com . Keeping in mind that "Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads" was released in 1992 and includes none of Jimmy Buffett's work since then, this remains a fantastic and reasonably comprehensive set that will likely please casual fans and Parrot Heads alike.

Good ole' Jimmy buffett at its best. This is defintitely one of the best greatest hits packages anywhere. There is not one bad song on these four CD's. The CD's include a number of parrothead hits as Come Monday, Margaritaville, fins, A Pirate Looks at 40, and Son of a son of a Sailor. This also includes songs that are not heard as often, but that should definitely be given more attention because the content and music is so relaxing and genious. The whole set is worth listening to and you will find yourself daydreaming and picturing the wonderful things in life that Jimmy Buffett himself writes and has written about. This is worth every penny you spend on it. 50 dollars may seem high, but do not forget that you are getting four CD's with at least 16 songs on each. WHAT A BARGAIN! So buy it and enjoy it, because you will never find a better greatest hits package of the best singer-songwriter of our time!

Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads is the most comprehensive Jimmy Buffett collection available. It is a must have for true fans as well as new listeners for several reasons. First of all, it has all of the Buffett classics like "Margaritaville," "Come Monday," and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." The collection's thematic division is another positive attribute--you'll find anything relating to beaches and surf and sand on the second disc called "Beaches." This division is helpful because when you're in a certain mood that corresponds to one of the discs, you can get what you're looking for.

The provided booklet contains colorful photographs of concerts and behind the scenes glimpes of Buffet. Further, the commentary is quite insightful. Included are delightful descriptions of the stories behind each song.

Overall, the set contains all of the great hits by Buffett, has a helpful thematic division of boats, beaches, bars, and ballads, and has an excellent booklet. It is a recommended purchase for Parrotheads and new fans alike.

Even if you're not a die-hard, life-long, true-blue Parrothead, this is a great box set...you can listen to it no matter what your mood.

Jimmy Buffett must be doing something right to evoke such loyalty from his fans. Just go to a Buffett concert and try to find a critic....it just won't happen.

When my grown son was a child, he could recite THE BEAR verbatim, and he knows every Buffett song by heart.

Mozart? No, he isn't, but his songs are more fun and he has a gift for telling stories that make perfect sense to babyboomers!

I hope he never retires from touring. His concerts are the best party in the world!

Buy this set...and I dare you not to smile when listening!

Received the box yesterday at the office...couldn't wait to hear some tunes so I played it on the computer and had the office dancing. Absolutely the best!!!! Buffett is King. No matter how bad the day, when you start listening to Jimmy's music the clouds lift, the sun shines, you start to smile. Wish I weren't such an old lady, I would become a Buffet groupie....