Jimmy is a living legend, and started recording straight-up country in the 1960s before relocating to Key West, Florida, starting the Coral Reefer Band, and never looking back. His songs are mostly about sitting on the beach, drinking cocktails, and generally having a pretty good life. Which he seems to, given that his tours usually take him from Florida, through Texas and California, to Hawaii.
Tonight he was in San Jose, in the stadium that houses the Sharks ice hockey team. Sharks and pirates are also recurring themes in his songs, and much was made of the local link. His show is pretty fantastic, lots of banter with the crowd and improvising lyrics to talk about wherever he's playing. Last night he told us he was unconcerned about the solar storm because the guitars were still in tune and the beer was still flowing. He finished off with two encores.
Now, this man has fans, as in fanatics, known as parrotheads. Prior to every concert people turn up in the parking lots, inflating pools and usually bringing their own sand, building beach bars and putting on bikinis. There's plenty of evidence on this blog. California has some unfortunately restrictive laws that prevented a full-on festival, but inside it was all go for parrot and shark hats, Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, etc. Jack and Amanda brought along some tropical-themed items, but we were put to shame by several people sporting their Jimmy Buffett tattoos.
Jimmy's set included many of his classics, which I encourage you to check out: Cheeseburger in Paradise, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, Margaritaville, and Jamaica Mistaica. Cheers!
Some excellent tropical outfit improvisation.
Finheads!
A parrothead!
You see what I mean? Serious fans.
A parrothead and a finhead and Jack.
Jimmy on the stage.
Fins to the left, fins to the right (this is part of an official Buffett dance).
Oh yeah, Amanda and I have been working out!
