Customer Reviews

A1a

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"A1A" features some mighty fine classic Jimmy Buffett-styled songwriting with a little bit of that ol' Buffett humor interspersed throughout each and every track. A prime example is "Door Number Three" - a song about the long lost game show "Let's Make A Deal". Gee, I hope Monty Hall's all right, after Jimmy got through with him! Of the few less humorous songs on "A1A", "A Pirate Looks At Forty" is probably the most prospective, and is a companion song both musically and lyrically to "The Captain And The Kid, from "Havana Daydreamin'". "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season" has its wonderfully tense moments, as the citizens of the island of Kaua'i have been in the same situation with Iniki in '92. With "A1A", Buffett still finds himself in his country phase, and the rest of the songs here are fine compositions as well. Pretty much from this point forward, Buffett would delve into more Caribbean influences in further developing his sound, which would net him a new "flock" of fans known as "ParrotHeads". If you're unable to make it down to Key West, just play "A1A" on your stereo, fill a "Tin Cup Chalice" with good red wine, or fire up some lime daiquiris in the ol' blender, whichever you prefer, chew on some honeysuckle, and you'll think you're in paradise, on the beach, away from your hectic and hurry world. With "A1A", you'll never have to worry about this "Buffett" filling you up. You can come back for more...and more... and more... Once you're in paradise, you'll never want to leave. Take that trip down "A1A" real soon! Can't you just feel the wind at your back, with the sun in your eyes?

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.

This is one of the best CDs I have ever listened to. It willalways make you feel good. Of course, it also makes you want to quityou job and move to an island stuck in the mid-70s. I always put this one in my carry-on when going on travel. It has been played many times in various far-from-home hotel rooms. My older brother turned me on to this CD when I was a senior in high school (1976). I knew a little bit of Jimmy from hearing Come Monday on the (AM) radio stations when it was a hit. My brother was living in Louisiana at the time and brought the cassette home at Christmas one year. He had seen Jimmy at some bars in Louisanna and Texas - back when he played small bars (and you didn't have to pay TicketScalper to see him). I loved the music and have ever since (despite some departures to other artists like Styx, Bob Segar, and the like). Every Jimmy fan should have this CD - it's also a great intro to Buffett for new listeners (although you younger folks will have to have your parents explain Door Number 3 to you until Let's Make a Deal is on the GameShow Network.) The last 6 songs (what we old guys call Side 2 of the album) are all outstanding. Also, this is the only CD with Door #3, Dallas, and Presents to Send You which make it a must have. This CD would be #1 on my list of "Five CDs to Have if you were on a Desert Island".

A themematic album Buffett takes you on a ride through the sights and sounds of south Florida in the early 70's just on the edge of the burgeoning tourist seasons to come. My short review of this album is that the disc starts out a little unfocused and loose but by song 6 Buffett is in fine form producing one of the best albums of his long career. The roots of the album are deeply country and honky tonk surely influenced by Buffetts early performaces in bars throughout the deep south.

"Makin' music for money" a great opener to the album, a honky tonk flavored song...an early proclamation to one of Jimmy Buffetts musical style. That despite whats "popular" and "commercial" he is going to make music that appeals to him and that he enjoys. Unfortnately this song is followed up by what this reviewer considers the weakest cut of the album. The country ballad/novelty song "Door Number 3". In comparison to other songs on the album it easily could have been excluded only to the benefit the album. Thankfully it is followed by a cover of Barletts "Dallas" where in the smooth hand of Doyle Grishams steel guitar almost floats and flows along the accompaniment of the Coral Reefer Band. Buffet follows it with "Presents to send you" a mid tempo folksy trip that really puts the the weakness of "Door Number 3" behind. The song rides a real rhythm of mid tempo and a fast tempo song. In an age of looking for any chance to break out and showcase Buffett shows that song writers talent for staying in control. And instead of a cliched self indulgent jam session that many of the southern rock/country artists of that time would inevitably go into. He writes a well structured song and he and his musicians are able to flourish with in the boundries of the song. Buffett pulls aside to rest with in the shelter of of a nother cover song of "The stories we could tell" (it begs to wonder if there is any southern band that doesn't do this song?). While nothing wrong with the song when compared to the preceding songs its a a bit disappointing. Its just kind of "there". Tempo change to "Life is just a tire swing" a bit of a novelty a bit ballad...the sweet reminisce of the ealry days of growing up in the song saves the song from becoming "Door Number 3". the last 2 songs seem almost a stumble to the pace that had been established. The album turns a definite corner with the Jimmy Buffett standard "A pirate looks at 40" the escapst anthem of the middle aged man. Highlights of the song being the harmonica accompainment of Fingers Taylor and soft background vocals that texture the bittersweet lyrics. "Migration" an up tempo folk song...the playful lyrics and wander steel make this song a forgotten gem on this album and states another Buffet music axiom "Got a Carribean soul I can barely control and some texas hidden here in my heart." Switching back to his ballads "Tryin' to reason with the hurricane season." makes for a sweet transition...understated guitars and vivid lyrics put you one the beach looking for the impending storms with a calm, subtle resignation. "Tryin' to reason" almost seems to melt into "Nautical Wheelers" changing from one ballad to the next from folk to country. Its rare that and album that an album so heavy in it s ballad can be so strong but Jimmy Buffett pulls it off...very well. The trip of A-1-A winds up in Mallory Square in Key West with the sunset. "Tin Cup Chalice" puts the salt on the margarita glass. A slow tempo but uplifting conclusion to the album. If making a collection of classic albums or an introductory fan to Jimmy Buffett this CD is a must have.

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.

This album is a singer/songwriter masterpiece from the 70's, standing right up there with the greats from that era.

Like a few other reviewers of this album, I'm not a parrothead. But this album would be one of my desert island picks. It's so lyrical and personal, and conveys eloquently a sense of place: the place being (somewhat nostalgically) Florida in the 70s. There's freedom, warmth and a totally open enjoyment of the sea and the beach.

I, like many others, have very warm memories of being around 20, driving, with this tape in the car. The best times were actually on coastal road trips. Most of the time listening was just remembering those trips. When I hear this album, I can still remember them. There are very few albums out there that are as evocative of a time and a place as this album.

Enjoy!

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!!!!

A-1-A is probably Jimmy Buffett's most reflective album. Songs like "Making Music For Money", "Life Is Just A Tire Swing", "Tryin' To Reason With Hurricane Season", "Tin Cup Chalice", "Stories We Could Tell" and "A Pirate Looks At 40" all find Mr. Buffett contemplating life situations. "A Pirate Looks At 40" finds a man getting older lamenting about how he just wasn't made for these times. "Nautical Wheelers" is a tribute to sailor bar songs sung in 3/4 time. Not everything on the album is serious. "Door Number 3" has that classic Jimmy Buffett wit and humor. A-1-A ranks right up near the top of the Jimmy Buffett catalog, a truly great album.

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.