For me, as one of the great unwashed, my knowledge of all things Buffett starts and ends with one song. You know the song. Do I have to write it out? Fine I'll write it out, but I'll have to double check my spelling, but I'm hoping I get this right the first time.
"Margaritaville" there, are you happy?
I was in my early teens when the song had it's first run on the radio. Then slowly the song just worked it's way into popular culture, and it's sort of stayed there. At least as far as I can tell. I suppose the kids today may not know, but for decades now the song has been a constant in the repertoires of cover bands all over North America, and everybody knows enough of the words to sing along to the chorus. I'll be honest, it was never really my jam, but I also have to admit the song had a charm that was hard to describe.
... and yes I do know how to play it.
For a guy generally thought of (by me, I guess I should qualify this) as a one hit wonder, there was certainly a lot more going on than I ever expected. I suppose if you run in a slightly different circle there's a whole world you get a chance to see. For a guy who seemed to come out of nowhere he'd been there the whole time. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes was his seventh album, and it wouldn't be his last either. Over his career he managed to attain a level of success that's actually kind of staggering. With eight gold and nine platinum records that's a lot of precious metal. I really had no idea.
Oh, and he was smart with his money ... he may not have been related to Warren Buffett, but that didn't hold him back from becoming a billionaire ... yes, million with a B.
Listening to the Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes has been enthralling. Truly. Maybe I was just in the right mood as the sun was shining throw the window and the weather is warming up. Hearing the happy go lucky attitude to the songs combined with some great performances was too infectious to ignore.
The album sets the tone early, and there's really something special going on. It's not all soft rock with a hint of country. Although it really is a wonderful merging of tropical with country rock. The good old boys, or I guess more accurately, The Coral Reefer Band could really tear it up. "Tampico Trauma" is a great song, and along with the big guitars and riffage, the song added the kitchen sink with a string arrangement ... really. It's a killer track.
I wonder if Jimmy knew how special "Margaritaville" was when he was finished tracking the song. I wonder if there was a discussion about song order, where it was decided to just take the first side to set the mood, and spool out the line and wait a bit before reeling it in.
I was already hooked, well and truly hooked before flipping the record over. If by chance I hadn't been, the opening double stops that signify the opening sequence to "Margatiaville" would have set that hook firmly. Man, I don't know why I went with a fishing analogy ... I'll just stop. I'm just going to cut bait.
Okay, now I'll stop.
The second side opens with the big hit, and honestly it's the reason I got the record. I'll also admit that while it's the earworm on the record, it isn't the best song on the album, which really surprised me. Oh, make no mistake without the song the record wouldn't feel the same, but it's the cherry on top. There are no weak songs or moments where I was impatiently waiting for the next song. It was a really, really good album. Now, I'll also be the first to admit that as much as I enjoyed this it scratched the itch. I'm sure I'd enjoy hearing more of his material, who knows maybe I'll find a copy of his greatest hits some day.
That would be cool.
To quote Steve Martin, "Well, I'm gonna go then, and I don't need any of this! I don't need this stuff, and I don't need you! I don't need anything, except this."
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