Jimmy Buffett-Living and dying in 3/4 time

Living and dying in 3/4 time

It's still great, and maybe his best work -- although I think A-1-A is a cut better. The great part about this album was the great mix of tunes and like I've mentioned in other reviews, you really couldn't figure out this guy's music other than it was great! Was it country? Well, hell, you could say so -- with all those great Nashville studio musicians backing him up, complete with steel guitar. Not only that, there wasn't any Key West in this album. After the guerrilla beach bum first album, this element was absent -- instead we get some tunes with some Montana or western references("Ringling," Livingston's Gone to Texas," and "Brahama Fear.").
There's that great uptempo tune "The Wino and I Know," about his busking days in New Orleans. "Saxophones," is another uptempo number with some Memphis/Muscle Shoals-style horns. Then there was the real Nashville-flavored stuff -- "Come Monday," which was a minor hit and "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown," about a girl Jimmy picked up hitchhiking escaping her past and the spoof "Brand New Country Star." The last two tunes, "Ballad of Spider John" and Lord Buckley's "God's Own Drunk," (a concert staple in the early days until legal action by Buckley's estate prevented him from performing it), didn't seem to fit into the general album concept, but they worked really well -- because at the time, his music was all over the map. "Spider John," is a real sleeper. I don't think he ever plays it anymore, but it's one of the reasons why this album is so damned good. Finally, the opening tune "Pencil Thin Mustache," is a nostalgic look back at his growing up years in the 50s.
In short, Buffett was more than living up to the promise that "White Sport Coat," had shown and his songwriting, while still laced with humor and irony, also showed that he had a serious, pensive side. Perfect for a balladeer, no?
I started listening to Buffett in the real early days and was fortunate to see him perform live in those years. He was lean and hungry and ambitious and was a damned good entertainer. He added the Coral Reefer band and the rest is history. If you're new to Jimmy Buffett, buy all the 70s albums -- get 'em in vinyl if you're into that sort of thing because the album artwork is phenomenal -- especially on this album, A-1-A, Changes in Latitudes and Havana Daydreamin'.