The Old Guy’s Still Got It

I’m going to start my piece, which happens to be about a Jimmy Buffett concert, with 3 questions.

1.     My sister:  “How many Jimmy Buffett concerts have you been to?”

Me:  “The first time I went was 1987.  I almost got into a fight with a group of men and women who felt I was encroaching on their lawn space.  I was young and stupid, still in college, so I had an excuse.  I’ve gone just about every year since to at least one show between River Bend in Cincinnati and Deer Creek in Noblesville.  So somewhere between 25 to 30 shows.”

 

2.    My wife, Laura:  “Are you going to continue going to Jimmy Buffett concerts?”

Me:  “Yes.  Jimmy Buffett is young at heart, but getting up there chronologically.  I still enjoy seeing him perform in a setting that is accurately described as Parrot Head phenomenon.*  I will go see him as long as he continues to perform, which he does not need to do, and as long as I am able.”

3.     My buddy, Mark, with whom I have attended many Jimmy Buffet concerts, including this one:  “Are you going to disappear tonight?”

Me:  “A fair question, as I have done so in the past, moving stealthily from the lawn with my friends to the pavilion as  a rogue fan, intent on seeing the band perform in a closer and more personal setting.  But, no, since our tickets are actually both in the pavilion, centrally located, on the end of our row.”

 

 

 

July 16, 2013

I still love seeing Jimmy Buffett perform.  I missed him in Indiana this summer, but scored tickets in Cincy, and asked the afore mentioned friend, Mark, to go.  It’s somewhat of a tradition for us, as guys go, and there’s no doubt that he will appreciate the show any less than me.  And what can you say about a concert that starts with the strange, low moan of a conch shell horn?

 

I was happy with the introduction, Kinja, from Jimmy’s and Herman Wouk’s collaboration on the off Broadway production of Don’t Stop the Carnival.  As a matter of fact, he followed that with a late 70’s gem about sailing, Landfall, and an early 80’s song celebrating the nightlife along the northern Gulf of Mexico, Stars on the Water.

 

 

I mention this because I’ve gotten to a point that that I can take or leave the majority of Jimmy’s Songs You Know By Heart.  I’m interested in the songs he places between the greatest hits on his set list.  That being said, I still love the lyrics of Changes in Latitude… and I have my arms up in the shape of a shark’s dorsal with the best of them during the inevitable version of Fins.

 

I appreciated Cultural Infidel and Knees of My Heart, and actually enjoyed the Coral Reefer Band’s rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s All Night Long.  A song that I was not familiar with, but took a fancy to, was one called Back Where I Come From, which was penned by, unsurprisingly, Mac McAnally. 

 

When it comes right down to it, the part of the show that most touches my heart, is the last song of the encore.  For a long time, it’s been just Jimmy and an acoustic guitar, like his pre-Key West days, busking on the streets of New Orleans.  On this particular evening, he serenaded us with his love song to Cayo Hueso, I Have Found Me a Home.  And like this island, among many others, upon this stage, he has.

The days drift by
They don't have names
And none of the streets here look the dame
And there are so many quiet places
And smilin' eyes match the smilin' faces.

[Chorus:]
And I have found me a home
Yes, I have found me a home
And you can have the rest of everything I own
'Cause I have found me a home.

My old red bike
Gets me around
To the bars and the beaches of my town
And there aren't many reasons I would leave
Yes, I have found me some peace.

And the ladies aren't demanding there
They never ask too much
And when you're coming off a cold love
That's sure a nice warm touch.

[Chorus]

The days drift by
They don't have names
And none of the streets here look the same
And there aren't many reasons I would leave
Yes, I have found me some peace
Yes, I have found me a home.

Written by Jimmy Buffett from the album: