Customer Reviews

Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes [Gold Disc]

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wonderful songs, lovely tunes and fabulous singing. There's the famous Buffett good-time party-at-the-beach feeling permeating the tracks, but the high energy comes from swaying, lyrical melodies, not noisy distortion. That's why everyone loves this album. There's "Margaritaville," which is a phenomenon unto itself, but that's just the start. Every track here draws you in with its sweet sounds, smooth rhythms and good times, all perfectly expressed in music. I have later albums by JB and I like them, but not nearly as much. This album is a standout not only for Buffett, but for all albums. It is unique and wonderful. It's music you can play over and over, and still smile and sing along each time you hear it. If you're a Jimmy Buffett fan I don't have to convince you -- you already own this disc. If you're new to JB, this is definitely the place to start.

Look, ask yourself how important the tune "Margaritaville" has been to Jimmy Buffett in terms of identifying him, branding him and flat out making him a multi-millionaire? It was huge, there's nothing to compare with it, save "Cheeseburger in Paradise," but that's on another album. Bottom line is that his brand is "Margaritaville," and it's been very good to Buffett.

Thus, "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," marked the end of his classic period and was the transition album to the persona he was in the process of becoming, so even the album title works in that sense.

Nevertheless, the music on this album is terrific. You could exclude "Margaritaville," too, and it'd still be great. The title tune is one of them, as are "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home," "Banana Republics," concert fave "Tampico Trauma," "In the Shelter," Miss You So Badly," and the great cover of the Jesse Winchester opus, "Biloxi," in my humble opinion, one of his best ever recordings. It's Jimmy at his balladeering best.

On this album, the Coral Reefer Band comes into it's own, too. The Nashville Cats who were his sidemen on previous albums aren't featured as Coral Reefers anymore and Don Gant has been replaced by Norbert Putnam as the producer. Although the personnel of the Reefers has changed over the years (Mr. Utley being the last of the early Reefers still around), Buffett eschewed the steel guitar in his sound, moving to a contemporary rock sound -- including experimenting with instruments not normally heard on rock tunes -- and "Margaritaville," is the classic example of this change in musical direction.

As I said, Buffett was becoming a big star, supporting this album in bigger venues than ever and he wasn't sure where it was all going as he says in "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home," "....wondering if I can keep her, as I race to catch up with my dreams....how they shine and glitter and gleam."

Well, clearly, Buffett was getting the picture that if he played his cards right, he could live a lifestyle most people could only dream of with and still play his music, too. On "Changes In Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," this all kind of comes to the surface.

On the other hand, the music on this album is just about as good as Jimmy Buffett can get. I personally like "A-1-A" about the same, maybe a little more, but this album has been around for almost 30 years and has stood the test of time. The material was great then and it's still great. It's much, much more than "Margaritaville," believe me. And like "A-1-A," there isn't a weak cut on the album.

Five stars.

This album, along with "Son of a Son of a Sailor", are what secure Jimmy Buffett's place in my personal Hall of Fame for music. It's hard to decide which is best to me, but the songs on "Changes in Latitudes" make you feel like you're on a personal guided tour of the Caribbean with Buffett himself. Though I've liked many of his albums before ("A1A" comes to mind) and after ("Fruitcakes") these two back to back masterpieces really illustrate Buffett when he was in a groove that few writers have ever been in. It's almost unfair to him to compare subsequent recordings to "Changes in Latitudes", because no writer can be expected to fabricate his own magic twice in a lifetime. IT JUST HAPPENS! Same thing happened for Springsteen, Elton John, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, etc. If you are a novice to Buffett, please buy this album, and listen to the words. If you are a member of a Parrot Head Club, and haven't listened to this album in a while, please buy it and listen to the words! This album, along with "Sailor" are what inspired me to write songs myself..... Jerry Diaz, Key West-the band

This album is a joy to listen to from start to finish. The title track is superb, a finely crafted piece of country/folk perfection which cannot fail to impress all who hear it. Another excellent track is Banana Republics, one of the finest songs never to be released as a single. Many people have a snobbish attitude towards Buffett and his fans but he personified the west coast sound and gave a new dimension to feel good music. He represents everything that was good about the 1970s and beyond. This album, by far his best work, is a must have for any serious music fan.

This is a definite classic Jimmy Buffett album. This really captures the mood and true sound of Jimmy and the Coral Reefer Band. There is not a weak track on this wonderful collection of Jimmy Buffett at his strongest period of recording.

I really wish that Jimmys new label would re-release all his work from the 1970's and into the 1980's with all the original album artwork back. MCA released these albums and stripped all the artwork and liner notes and did a pretty crappy job on the packaging. That said, this is still an essential for fans of Jimmy Buffett's music. Put this album on, give it a spin and "Drink it Up".

CHANGES IN LATITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDES is where Jimmy Buffett's special outdoors-focused blend of country-rock and Caribbean music reaches its peak of quality. There are many gems here, including, especially, "Margaritaville" and the title song. If you get this one, SONGS YOU KNOW BY HEART, and a few other of his albums, you'll have the essential Jimmy Buffett library.

Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes is of course best known as the album that contains the Parrothead National Anthem, "Margaritaville". Even if you are not a Jimmy Buffett fan, you know the song. The true testament to the song is that no matter how many times you hear, you never get sick of it. The album isn't just a one song album. The title track is just as good as "Margaritaville" and it contains the classic line 'If we weren't all crazy, we'd probably go insane'. "Banana Republics" is another great song as is the pensive "In The Shelter". "Biloxi" is a nice ballad. Sit back, turn your blender on and get ready to cruise the tropics.

I must admit I was a little dissapointed to find out Jimmy didn't write one of my favorite songs, Banana Republics, Steve Goodman did. (He also wrote "This Hotel Room"). But it's still a great song to escape into, as is this whole album. A perfect Key West moment.

I was a teenager, in the US Army, and going through my first divorce in 1977. Consequently I had to move back to the barracks. The guys and I would regularly go camping at Land Between the Lakes in the summer of "77", just west of Fort Campbell. We listened to Jimmy's Changes in Lattitudes - Changes in Attitudes over and over. Listening to Margaritaville on the beach during the day was ever so inspiring to party on to. Biloxi at sunset brings the calm about being thankful for the little ones still being able to enjoy life without all the complications of it (serenity). I liken Jimmy Buffett to Frank Zappa in their comletely different music styles that poke fun at life, and get their message accross. Good memories, with good friends. Thanks Jimmy!

This could very well be the best Jimmy Buffett album ever. Filled with hit songs and personal favorites, any person who has even heard of Jimmy will love this album. Great for true-grit fans or someone looking to get their first Buffett album. "Changes" will not dissappoint.