License to Chill

Jimmy Buffett | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 9, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mailboat Records
• ASIN: B0002QXSJM
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (212 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,895 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Country music's infatuation with the puka-shell rock of Jimmy Buffett has been one of the genre's less fortunate indulgences. Most of Nashville's hat acts do little more than dip their toe in the water and do nothing to build upon Buffett's signature sounds. That's why License to Chill, which features a plethora of Music City guests (Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Clint Black, George Strait, Martina McBride, Toby Keith) along with Bill Withers and Nanci Griffith, seems like a bad idea. But the album, on which the Key West hedonist performs his favorite "bar gig" songs, as he calls them, often delights. As someone who began his songwriting career in Nashville (and who's also recorded more than half his albums there), Buffett isn't just slumming, as his choice of covers (from such writers as Guy Clark, John Hiatt, Hank Williams, and Jerry Garcia) proves. What could have been little more than a lark, then, ends up being a showcase for Buffett the serious songwriter and song finder. Although he does indulge in the occasional beach-minded thong-writing, Chill is a surprisingly satisfying album aimed less at the Parrothead crowd and more toward an audience who remembers the Buffett of 30 years ago, a man who struggled to make his mark among Nashville's most revered tunesmiths. --Alanna Nash

Product Description

Thankfully, back in print, License To Chill is the easy going singer/songwriter's 2004 album that took the music world by storm, landing on the #1 spot on Billboard's Top 200 and Country charts. This release, Buffett's first true Country album, features contributions from Country stars including Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Marina McBride, George Strait, Clint Black, and Nanci Griffith. 16 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A smooth crossover - - - well done, Bubba., July 17, 2004

By 

Terry Mathews (a small town in east Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: License to Chill (Audio CD)

As a long time phan of Jimmy Buffett, I was curious about his new country collaboration. LICENSE TO CHILL does not disappoint.

All the voices on HEY, GOOD LOOKIN' do their part to make it a rousing success, sure to get plenty of air time. BOATS TO BUILD is reflective and Alan Jackson's soulfulness rounds it out perfectly.

The title cut will probably be the next "single" release. Jimmy and Kenny have a good time and I like the tune, but I think it could have been better. Couldn't say how, it just leaves me a little flat.

COAST OF CAROLINA, Jimmy's valentine to his wife, Jane, is about as sweet a love song as you're ever going to find.

The in your face PIECE OF WORK is a great romp with county's rebellious Toby Keith. If you don't smile when you hear it, you've never met a real life "Bubba".

ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE is another great love song. "Tomorrow may come. It usually does. Don't know what it brings to the two of us. I just want you to know what I'm ready to do . . . anything, anytime, anywhere for you." Awwwwwwwwwwww.

Martina McBride joins the fun for a look at birthdays in TRIP ROUND THE SUN. This was the only pairing that was missing chemistry . . . or, at least to my ears.

SIMPLY COMPLICATED is Jimmy's wink at a "my wife left, my dog died, someone stole my truck, and I'm outta beer" drinking song. Hysterical.

COASTAL CONFESSIONS is one of the buried treasures in this collection. It might not get airplay, but it's a great story. "I'm a tidal pool explorer from the days of my misspent youth. I believe that down on the beach where the seagulls preach is where the Chinese buried the truth. . . I'm a reader of the night sky and a singer of inordinate tunes. That's how I float across time, living way past my prime. . . " Genius.

If you're from (1) the 50's or even the early 60's and (2) the south, SEA OF HEARTBREAK might evoke memories of your parents going out on the town. All dressed up . . . a cocktail or two consumed. And the Hi-Fi playing the latest dance tune. Cha-Cha-Cha. George Strait is so smooth . . . he and Jimmy are near perfection. This is my favorite cut.

CONKY TONKIN' is cute, upbeat and makes you want to get in the car and drive down Highway 1 to Key West.

PLAYING THE LOSER AGAIN with Bill Withers reminds me of Merle Haggard. In a good way.

I haven't figured out WINDOW ON THE WORLD yet.

Nanci Griffith's weathered voice blends with Jimmy's on SOMEONE I USED TO LOVE, with great results.

I'm not a fan of SCARLET BEGONIAS, but I understand Jimmy's mother loved the song, so maybe it's his tribute to her.

His cover of Leon Russell's BACK TO THE ISLAND isn't as good as it was in Hawaii this past January, but then NOTHING will ever top that night under the Maui moon.

There's been a lot of discussion/debate about Jimmy's crossover to country. Oh, well. He done good.

Enjoy!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I don't get you people, November 4, 2004

By 

PiratePerrine (Naples, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: License to Chill (Audio CD)

Living in Naples which is very close to Key West, I've had the good fortune to hear Roadkill Bill Jabanoski play in the bars there about Twenty times and I've heard Liz O'Connor playing at Captain Tonys at least half as many times. On their brakes, I've talked to both of them (Jabanoski is a Hell of a nice guy and O'Connor is one of the most charming girls I've ever met) and both of them have Nothing but good things to say and respect for Jimmy. Your all right that they are two great artists and I own Every One of Their CDS.
But putting down Jimmy for this CD, where he tried to do something different instead have keep repeating himself over and over I just don't get. Some of this CD is Great. Some of it is Good. Some of it is I confess just unlistenable. But I'd rather hear an artist like Jimmy trying to do something different and original then what he did last year. What disapponited me were the four live albums that were all almost the same.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buffett Goes Country, and it works!, July 13, 2004

By 

Nicholas P. Hunter (Newport News, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: License to Chill (Audio CD)

Buffett's best work in years. Not a single bad cut on the album... He knows how to select good songs (Though he didn't write it, "Piece of Work" suits him perfectly) and he knows how to write good songs too. (Coastal Confessions is one of the best songs he has ever written.)

The duets are all superb. Jimmy's voice has good chemistry with all of the guest singers. However, with all of the country music superstars, his duet with Bill Withers on "Playin the Loser Again" is exceptionally poingant and soulful. Buffett displays surprisingly good vocals in counterpoint to Withers.

Sure, this album is somewhat of a departure from his typically Carribean themed music. But there are enough catchy tunes on this album to keep you humming them all day long. Buffett skillfully mixes slow, beautiful ballads with upbeat country rockers. It makes for a consistently inconsistent album that never stops delivering the goods. (I know that didn't make sense, but it's true.)

And, of course, every Buffett album must have a goofy song. And, following in the proud tradition of such tunes as "Math Suks," "Hokey Pokey," and "I Will Play for Gumbo" is "Simply Complicated," which is certainly one of his most humorous and clever songs. It also has the best ending in the history of popular music. Could you imagine the music video that would come from that? I think Bubba should do it...

All in all, "License to Chill" is simply one of the best efforts the Head Parrot has ever offered up. Laughs, smiles, great instrumentation, great lyrics, great playing, great singing, and great duets make this an essential listen for every Parrothead and every fan of country music.

I have a vast range of music in my collection; everything from classical to showtunes to country to jazz. I know that this latest Jimmy Buffett offering will occupy a perpetual spot in my CD changer.