Customer Reviews

Don't Stop The Carnival [ENHANCED CD]

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

When Jimmy Buffett landed in Herman Wouk's Palm Springs retreat, Wouk fondly recalls that he looked like a long-haired Peter Pan in denim. Jimmy had come to obtain the rights for a musical based on Wouk's 1965 novel DON'T STOP THE CARNIVAL. Thus, a great friendship between a very oddly matched couple of creative geniuses began. The result was a short-lived but very catchy musical. After having just finished the novel, I thorougly enjoyed this CD but have to admit the rhythmic calypso-based tunes would not have made much sense had I not just enjoyed the book. If you do plan to buy this one without first reading the novel, read the CD's accompanying booklet very carefully in order to get the gist of the story. Then I think you will have a wonderful appreciation for what Jimmy Buffett was attempting.

There is no great and memorable show-stopper tune, but all have the wonderful Buffett flavor. Some with a tango rhythm (Just An Old Truth Teller), some slow and smoky (Shelia Says), others with a stand up and dance feel that is instantly recognizable as Buffett (Public Relations, Kinja Rules).

The book is great and you won't be disappointed if you read its tale of a man who leaves the rat race of New York City to become an island hotel manager in the Caribbean. Afterwards, this CD will be a delight as you sit back and imagine life in the sunny Paradise.

Herman Wouk's masterpiece Don't Stop the Carnival is one of the best reads' I have enjoyed in a long time. It takes a while to get the characters straight, but once you do, its wonderful. You feel like you are on the Island of Kinja. Jimmy Buffett's album by the same name is much like the book. Upon first listening to it, the songs do not jump out at you, but after repeated listening's a beautiful thing occurs. A great album develops!

Norman Paperman is the hero, fool or malcontent of the story, and basically by the time the story ends, most of us wish we could be Norman. Owning a resort on an island, what could be better. Margarita's all day long at the beach... well, listen to the story develop and you will find there is a mirage at work here.

The calypso beat is all over this album (imagine that, it's Jimmy Buffett) and the stories of sex, drink and fun abound. Musically, it is very upbeat, but lyrically its similar to reading Marx, dark.

If you skipped this album because you thought it sounded silly or you dislike musicals take a step back and try it. It will grow on you, I have been a Buffett fan since living in Florida as a child and I have seen him 50+ times in concert and I too wanted to skip this album, but I am glad I didn't.

Pros: Two years later and I still LOVE IT! Cons: None

The Bottom Line Buy this disc, you will like it, have a drink and drift into the world of Norman paperman.

Recommended: Yes

Whether you're a Jimmy fan, a Wouk fan, a Caribbean fan, or a fan of musicals in general you'll find MUCH to like here. Myself, a long time Buffett fan, picked it up for just that reason. Initially, I was struck by the contrast that this offering contained in relation to the 'Bubba I was so very used to. Mere minutes into its virgin spin in my CD player, however, I found myself in love all over again, transported wholeheartedly to Kinja, getting to know the prismatic cast. During its next 100 or so rotations over the insuing 3 or 4 days, I nearly forgot Jimmy ever wrote "Cheeseburger", so captivating was the musical genius at work here. When I finally threw A1A on weeks later, the aforementioned contrast was seemingly even more stark. Two seperate worlds. One hell of a songwriter. Both schools are readily able to be reconciled to each other. One hell of a carnival! Word to the wise: I would recommend reading the book first and seeing the musical itself first, if possible. This will serve to orient you to the engrossing story and to further show a major talent at work -- flawlessly adapting the book into musical form.

Saw the stage show while on vacation in Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Just had to buy the CD. For once a musical with lyrics that are enunciated clearly and tunes that are so "catchy" you can hum them for days. This is for anyone who longs for that "island escape" from the day to day or just wakes up in a funk and needs lift to get the day going. Just ordered the book. If the book is even half as good as the other Wouk's (Winds of War, etc) it will be a good read. Wouk and Buffett are not a natural match, but trust me, THIS WORKS If the stage show comes to the states, don't miss it. Even if you haven't heard the CD

Having intended to read the Herman Wouk classic for years I finally felt pressured by time as I knew Jimmy's CD would be out soon. I found the novel captivating if not a little to true to life. Even, or maybe especially, in paradise Murphy's Law prevails. Been there.

After having read the book and listened to the CD I proclaim Jimmy Buffett a lyrical genious! No one else could have written the music for this show. To me the highlight of the CD is 1000 Steps; Norman, Henny, and Iris reveal their innermost thoughts in a very catchy reggae tune. Public Relations, Island Fever, Who Are We Trying to Fool, Calaloo, The Key to My Man are also notable and a delightfull mixture of different rythms and sounds. ParrotHeads, this the sound-track to a musical so it is a little different from you run-of-the-mill JB album. Never the less, if you like the book, you'll love the CD. Can't wait to see the play!

This is a great album for all phans. I admit I didn't know anything about the "carnival" before I purchased the album, but after a few times in the player I loved it. It isn't my favorite but I sure do enjoy it.
JIMMY DON'T EVER STOP THE CARNIVAL!!!!!!!!

I've been to the Virgin Islands, and reading the book (well, I have to admit I sneaked a listen first to the CD, no matter what I was told to do) took me back to a case of Island Fever. I don't care if you read the book first or listen to the CD, just do it! Then hop a plane for the BVI and Beef Island. Just be careful you don't buy the hotel there. But whatever you do, you'll be singing all the tunes on this delightful CD (just remember how the story goes)! I love this CD even better than my most favorite "Fruitcakes".

I'm not a Parrothead and have often found Buffett's music to be repetitive and trapped in the Island sound, but he puts that sound to good use here in this adaptation of Wouk's book. Lively songs carry the story well and the occasional bad lyric ("I never acted like some nervous rookie/right from the start I was hot as a cookie" Huh?)is forgiven in this easy going look at the difficulties of adjusting to the island way of doing business. The stage version of this must have been fun as these songs lend themselves to an interesting evening of song and dance. Maybe someday.

I have to admit, I purchased this CD without knowing anything about it. I was surprised that it was a soundtrack for a musical, it wasn't what I expected. But being a loyal Parrothead, I listened to it a few more times. Then I found myself humming "A Thousand Steps to Nowhere". It took a couple bars before I realized what I was humming and where I'd heard it. I was hooked.

Although it isn't what I expected, I love it. It's refreshing to listen to a CD that tells a story all the way through, and introduces you to such fun characters. Although I'll agree that at the very least, read the liner notes, it helps to know who's who and what's going on. I'm reading the Wouk book now, and the songs keep going through my head.

The music is classic Buffett, and makes you want to sit on a beach with umbrella drinks, while you read the book the musical is based on. It takes you to someplace special. There isn't a bad track on it, and there are many excellent ones.

I hadn't really thought about Jimmy Buffett all that much in the last few years. I grew up with him - from his Montana to Key West sounds - and it always felt like coming home to a well-worn easy chair to listen to his music (sorry, Jimmy, that's meant to be a good thing.) I loved his concerts throughtout the years - best one at Red Rocks in maybe about 1985 or 1986. Having just returned from a first-ever trip to Key West where I visited Margaritaville Cafe, I had Jimmy on my mind. A friend turned me on to "Don't Stop the Carnival" and it is mesmerizing. The musical, written by Buffett, was first seen in Coconut Grove, where it received rave reviews. The story, written by Herman Wouk, is about Norman Paperman, a middle aged public relations exec who leaves it all after a serious heart attack to move to Kinja, the tropical paradise and run the hotel. What transpires when he gets there is funny, intriguing, romantic - a twist of whimsy and real life with great Buffett music and superior vocals from the remainder of the cast. Get it, read the comments about each song by Herman Wouk, and love the Buffett lyrics. Calaloo to you!