Disco de Jimmy Buffett: “A-1-A”

I have bought (and subsequently lost, broke, or Lord knows what) many Buffett records, but the only one I keep in my collection through it all is this one. Here is Buffett the southern boy with a knack for country western songs who wandered too far south in Florida one day as a young man, discovered rum, sand, sun, boats, and women (in some mixed up order) and ...

Buffett has had some low points, some commercial points, some high points, but on this record we find Buffett the 20-something singer-songwriter at his best: one foot in Alabama, one foot on a caribean island... sometimes nostalgic, sometimes wild and crazy, but sincere through it all.

I thought about the title of the review, because you could say the same for "Livin' & Dyin'," and "Changes in Latitudes.' In fact, I would say "Changes in Latitudes" was his most important work, but A-1-A really was the album that showed he was an exceptional talent. Or something like that. You couldn't quite figure out what his music was, exactly; you just knew it was damned good.

It's kind of ironic, too, because the opening cut on side one, "Making Music for Money," is kind of the antithesis of what he's become, musically speaking. But you can't blame a guy for giving the people -- er, ah, the "Parrotheads," that is -- what they want. What the hell, it's hard to duplicate your best work, just like it's hard to duplicate the best of anything you've ever done. We all chase that high, though, don't we?

In any case, this album has some of his best-ever tunes, such as "A Pirate Looks at Forty," "Migration," and "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season." Side one has a bunch of sleepers on it that you never hear in concerts, but "Makin' Music for Money," "Dallas," and "Stories We Could Tell," are terrific, too.

There isn't a weak cut on the album, period. The musicians -- among them, Nashville studio vets Reggie Young (great guitar work -- check out the into to "Door Number Three"), Doyle Gresham (pedal steel -- the guy who really helped Jimmy make his signature sound), Tommy Cogbill and Sammy Creason -- and of course, Mr. Utley -- all make big contributions. And you've got to give major kudos to producer Don Gant, too, who seemed to be the man behind his great early stuff.

This album captures the basically unclassifiable aspect of Jimmy Buffett's music. Country? Rock? Who knew, but hey, it sounded good and that was the point. Then you listened to the lyrics closely and you realized this was a guy with more than just a good time on his mind.

I wore out two vinyl copies of this album. I didn't get tired of it for years. I still listen to it occasionally and even though the tunes are more than 30 years old, they still sound good -- even though the fictional "pirate" now approaches 70. YIKE!

And hey, the album cover. Guy sitting there in a lounge chair on some tropical beach (Key West I suppose) with a bottle of Michelob, staring out to sea. Now is THAT selling the lifestyle to go along with the music or what? Buffett & Co. were thinking way ahead. Get this one in vinyl if you can because the album jacket and inside artwork are terrific. Same thing with "Livin' & Dyin," and "Havana Daydreamin." They're great collectors items.

"White Sport Coat," was fun, catchy and interesting. But did he have anything else? "Livin' & Dyin'" showed us this guy was for real. It all came together for Buffett on "A-1-A."

Five big stars.

Oh, how I long for the days when Jimmy wrote this kind of stuff. His newer work is good, but will never match this. "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season" is still the ultimate Buffett anthem.

A1A is my personal favorite album of buffett in the 70's. I split his albums into the three decades he has recorded in and this one just might even be his best album ever. Door No. 3, Migration, Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season, A Pirate Looks At 40, and Tin Cup Chalice are songs that will take you away to key west while you are sitting in your living room chair. Its very easy to listen to and its not one of those where you only like a few songs, this one you just pop it in and listen to it for hours, if you are a ParrotHead and don't have this album, GET IT!!!!

I am only 20 years old and am a huge Jimmy Buffett fan, however, I would and never will call myself a "Parrot head." Although I am young, I know what Buffett's best music is, and this is it. This is the first Buffett cd I ever owned, given to me by my parents. When I hear songs from this album it makes me think of a story my dad tells me all the time. He was a waiter at a restaurant in St. Simons Island, GA, and his friend told him he had to get off one night to go up to Savannah, GA and see this guy named Jimmy Buffett. Anyway, my dad made it up there, and said there weren't but 10 people there, and buffett got down from stage and passed a J around with everyone that was there. This is true Jimmy Buffett music, and is not for people who call themselves "parrotheads." This is the best Buffett Album to start off with, with the exception of you had to be there an "A white sport coat...". Buy it, you won't regret it.