Customer Reviews

Feeding Frenzy - Live

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is simply the pinnacle of Jimmy Buffett's art (Jimmy would probably cringe at the word; sorry, Jim), period. Most live albums are noisy, ragged, poorly mixed and at least a little off-key. Miraculously, "Feeding Frenzy" is none of those. It is tight, energetic, and it just drips fun every second. The arrangements are fuller than many of Jimmy's studio cuts, with superb backup vocals and that wonderful steel drum that defines Jimmy Buffett to me, and Jimmy's intonation is dead-on every note.

If you can only own one Jimmy Buffett album, make it "Feeding Frenzy."

Jimmy Buffett really knows how to play to a crowd. Many of renditions of Jimmy's songs, Volcano, Fins, Margartiaville, Jolly Mon Sing, etc.. feature subtle little lyric changes and spicy arrangements. The intro conversations on You'll Never Work In This Bidness Again and Gypsies In The Palace are hillarious in this live setting. Furthermore, Jimmy's live banter describing many of his great classic tunes really gives the listener a very upfront experience as to what his concerts are like.

He is certainly very appreciative of his fans. So give this one a try. You will not be dissapointed.

This was the first Buffett CD I bought, in fact I think this was the first CD I bought back in 1992. Now 10 years, 250+ CD's later, this CD is still in my 40 disk carry case in my truck. I still listen to it, although not as much since Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays came out. This CD has my favorite version of One Particular Harbor. That song must be heard live to really appreciate it.

Once you've heard most Buffett songs live, you'll never want to hear the original studio version again. I've seen him live 14 times in the last 10 years and CD's like this one keep my Buffett fix alive during the long winter months. Its always a long wait till his Labor Day weekend show in Boston.

The spokesman of summer, Jimmy Buffett, evokes images of "one particular harbor," a colorful Key West bar owner and the perils of "the city," in this CD.

"Feeding Frenzy" is a great training ground for anyone considering becoming a Parrothead and a delightful re-telling of some of Buffett's classics for those already familiar with the pirate looking at 50+.

The man from small-town Mississippi warns us about "the young and the rich and the pretty" and those who "shoot one another just to pass the time" in "The City." Despite its slightly-dark theme, the striding beat keeps the song from collapsing into a despressing message. "Last Mango in Paris" pays tribute to the exploits of Buffett's flamboyant friend, Tony Terracino, the oft-married former mayor of Key West and owner of Captain Tony's Saloon. Although few of us may "wake up dry beneath the African sky, just me and my Swiss Army knife," the song reminds us that adventure is a necessary part of life.

Although Buffett has no political aspirations, he reflects on the world's problems in "Today's Message." His monologue to ensure world peace and full employment includes an hysterial, loopy economic theory that involves Victoria's Secret panties, five dollar bills and the Russian people.

The favorites are featured in fine form and include "You'll Never Work in Dis Bidness Again," "Come Monday," "One Particular Harbor" (the location of which has kept Parrotheads guessing for years), "Honey Do," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Jolly Mon," "Gypsies in the Palace," "Fins," Volcano" and the mandatory "Margaritaville." An interesting note - the song "Why Don't We Get Drunk (And Screw)" was renamed "A Love Song (From a Different Point of View)" to appease the censors. The only detraction is Buffett's rendition of "Jamaica Farewell," which is set to an irritating reggae beat. This song is so closely identified and exquisitely performed by Harry Belafonte that it cannot be successfully performed by anyone else.

Finally, Buffett's call to "mother, mother ocean" at the start of the reflective "A Pirate Looks at Forty" comforts us about getting older and struggling to find our place in this world.

PHins Up PHolks! ...This is the closest you can get to a JB concert without actually being there! This is one of the best, if not THE BEST cd that Jimmy put out. If you've never seen Bubba in concert and want a little taste, then throw on your beach attire, ice-down the Coronas, mix up the Margaritas, fire up the grill( Cheeseburgers..what else! ), invite all of your Parrot Head PHriends over for a PHlocking, and crank up FEEDING FRENZY on the stereo as loud as your neighbors will let you. Almost like being there!

This is quite simply the best Jimmy album ever, and quite possibly the best live album ever. Bought my first Jimmy CD five years ago as a punked up 17 year old. I actually hated my father for asking me to get Fruitcakes for him. Oh, the shame of buying old people music. Two months later, I had every Jimmy album I could find (12 of them) and was on the way to my first Jimmy concert. I've been to two a year since then, and loved each one more than the last. Jimmy Buffet is without a doubt the most talented musician alive. He might not play the strongest guitar. He might not have the strongest singing voice. But who else can make you laugh until you burst, cry like a little girl, and then laugh your rear end off, all within 5 minutes? Most importantly of all, Jimmy does the thing so many performers have forgotten how to do these days. He has fun, and everyone around him has fun too. From the Last Mango in Paris, One Particular Harbor, and Jamacia Farewell to A Pirate looks at Forty (my all-time favorite) Jimmy bowls a perfect three hundred on this album. Thank you Jimmy.

If you want a good Buffett live CD, get "You had to be there" instead. In this CD he banters with the crowd and ad libs the songs TOO much; in some songs the quality suffers. "Today's Message" is a complete waste of time. I made a copy of this CD without this track wo I wouldn't have to hit the 'skip' button every time.

Feeding Frenzy perfectly captures a man on the top of his game. When the album was recorded in 1989, Jimmy Buffett was a seasoned performer who had put the time in on the road and become a master of his craft. Jimmy Buffett concerts are as he so aptly describes in the linear notes, a circus. Parrotheads dress the parts as the clown and Mr. Buffett is the ringleader. He offers a nice array of songs from his catalog with "A Pirate Looks At Forty" being even more potent as Mr. Buffett had recently reached that age. "A Love Song From Another Point Of View" is really "Why Don't We Get Drunk" with a hilarious introduction. Feeding Frenzy is a great live album.

Bought this CD new in 1990 for $18.00! Over all those years I have listened to it literally thousands of times. I have carried it with me on my travels around the world (pre iPod). Yes, I am one of those people that remember Come Monday when it was a hit! I broke out this CD yesterday after not hearing it for about a year. It is still as fresh, clean and fun an experience as it was in 1990. If I could only have one Buffett album I would pick this one!

Another classic Buffett performance and a must have for all Buffett fans. Simply an excellent, well done recording, very entertaining.