Customer Reviews

Down to Earth

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

 

 

Down To Earth is Jimmy Buffett's debut album. You will find none of the Caribbean sounds that would permeate his future music. He, in fact, had never even been to Key West at the time the album was recorded. What you get is an earnest country-folk affair with songs like "The Christian?", "Ellis Dee", "There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times" and "Captain America" that have a Bob Dylan influence. He shows immense potential especially in the beautiful "The Captain & The Kid". He would later re-record the song, but it shows his eye for detail in lyrics and that storytelling style that he would become famous for.

Sorry I missed this one when it first came out. Apart from The early version of "Captain and The Kid" I found this unlike any of his albums I have. More of a Sixties protest album than his later "On the Beach", laid back efforts. An absolute must for those looking for something different from Jimmy.

Never having really fallen for Buffet's more well-known work, it's surprising to hear what his songs sound like in this nearly embryonic, pre-millionaire singer/songwriter phase of his career.

This 1970 debut, recorded in Nashville and originally released on singer Andy Williams' Barnaby label is a wonder of late 60s singer-songwriter folk. Buffett's wit is in surprisingly full flower (given the earlyness of the compositions), including the stellar opening track, "The Christian." Twelve originals in all, with lots of socially conscious (for the times) lyrics. Dated, but aging well.

This is a lot more Simon & Garfunkel territory than Margaritaville raconteur.

So maybe he wanted to be a country and western singer and maybe this CD is a bit folky, but you see the potential. Plus you get a look at Jimmy B as a young man with a full head of hair on the back cover, so if you're a speedboat babe or even a sailing girl, this alone might be reason enough for you to plunk down ten or fifteen dollars for this CD. However, if you're a Buffett fan and want to get a good look at JB's roots, so to speak, you should check out this CD. And you might want to pay particular attention to Captain America and Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free), a couple of songs that I'd like him to do again, a couple songs that really showcase the potential of this young singer (well he was young then).

Even though there are no ocean going, sailing songs on this CD, it still gets thumbs up from me. You know, Mr. Buffett could've gone in a different direction, maybe given Bob Dylan a run for his money. There writing is here. It really is. Hearing is believing, so give this one a try, you won't be disappointed.

Those familiar with his later work will notice a stark transformation in style between his first two albums - Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee - and his next effort A White Sport Coat & A Pink Crustacean. This can be summed up by one word; Ocean. His first albums were recorded in Nashville, and you have to admit that it is rare for a Texan to voice the kind of social commentry that we find in Jimmy's early albums.

There is not a weak spot on this one. The Christian is the first track and a scathing hit out at Western religous hypocracy. Ellis Dee (AKA: LSD) looks at the plight of a Black man down on his luck, again social commentry. The Missionary is related to the Christian, an indightment of the values an American missionary is preeching, while at home things are less than pretty. A Mile High in Denver strait Texas Rock, about paryting in the mountains on a shoestring. The Captain and the Kid is a deft and touching piece of poetry describing Jimmys relation to his Merchant Marine Grandfather. Captain America is a hilarious crack at incompetent liberal do-gooders (bring back the real hero's)

Ain't He a Genius? Jimmys best song ever, inspiring to Young artists of all types. Probably my favorite song ever by anyone. Turnabout- Old girlfriend never die! There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times tells of life without Millions of dollars something Jimmy would barely remember and the last two tracks are solid as well.

Buy it, Love it!

This is Jimmy's first album when he was still trying to make it on the folk circuit in New Orleans and Nashville at the end of the 60's. He had not found his laid back beach bum persona yet, and the material on this disc is quite different from his later stuff. Mostly folk-ish with a bit of country with 60's style hippie sentiments in the music. This album is a mixed bag, but on a few tunes Jimmy's songwriting really shines and shows the potential of where he will eventually go. "The Captain And The Kid" is a great song about his grandfather that he still does live today. "Ellis Dee" (LSD...get it) is a typical Buffett play on words, "A Mile High In Denver" is Buffett's answer to John Denver. There is also some real crap on this album bad country such as "Truckstop Salvation" and the attempted social statement in "Captain America". This album is certainly far from Jimmy's best, but for a first album it certainly shows potential.

If you own Before the beach than you may want to hesitate before buying Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee, but on the other hand if your like myself you need these to complete your collection.

Well, it is clearly Buffett, and if you want to see the growth, you gotta listen to it. But you won't listen to it a lot, just a few times when the really great stuff-cheeseburger, livingston, like that, has been too often on your machine. It's like renting a copy of Rancho Deluxe or Congo, so you can see him on screen, but it ain't his best...

One of our man Jimmy's earliest works, this full-length album showcases Buffett's inherent song writing ability. The lyrics, melodies, and arrangements all tell fascinating stories in true creative style. This is an early look at the country, western, and Gulf coast influences that led to the popularized music of Jimmy's today. The album is fun, thought-provoking, and relaxing, in Jimmy's early style.

This review is from the perspective of a young chap who wasn't alive yet when this or any of the 'classic' Buffett came out. To be honest, I was initially sort of put off by Mr. Buffett at first listen. I thought he and his music was cheesy and fake. And well, I think even some of his biggest fans, if they were honest with themselves, would agree that some of it IS! But not this early stuff. Especially not this first album and his follow-up, High Cumberland Jubilee. It may be somewhat dated, what with the 60's protest folk/Texas rock vibe dominating most of the songs, but hey! Most of these songs are actually pretty great! A fair warning to "Parrotheads" though...this is a rootsy, folksy, fire-side companion kind of album. Forget the rum and break out the whiskey and keep your roach clip handy, cause there is NOTHING even remotely beach-like on this record! It's not flawless by any means (check out the hilarious attempt at a Grateful Dead style 'jam' at the end of the otherwise great "Truckstop Salvation" for example), the band wasn't nearly as tight as they would be in just a few years, not to mention side 2 isn't quite as entertaining as side 1, but still almost every song is a winner to my ears!