Customer Reviews

License to Chill

5 star:		(107)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

At the very first listen I thought...hmmmm. Not to sure about this. But, then I listened to it again; okay...not too bad. Listened to it again; hey, I am getting into this stuff. Now...I have three copies. One for home, one for the car and one for my office. I guess those who know Jimmy's roots (a.k.a. true Parrot Heads) and aren't music snobs will start nodding their heads and go "yeah...this CD makes perfect sense!" And, the concert in Dallas was a once in a lifetime experience. Rednecks and Parrotheads; like George Strait said "there is a fine line" between them.

First of all...enough of the country bashing. The country format is the strongest in the nation right now. All you need to do is look at record sales. The only format that is UP the last quarter. Second of all, I was a Buffett fan before this album, and it only solidified in my mind, his place in musical lore. Did the guy take advantage of a hot trend? Sure. Are you less likely to love the album if you've never given country a chance? Possibly. If so, what a shame. Sure the Toby Keith song, "Piece of Work" is a bit weak, but Martina's "Trip around the Sun", and "Boats to Build" with AJ are soothing, pop tinged country tunes at their best. I will agree with the reviewers who note that "Coast of Carolina" is the CD's best track. Truly Jimmy at his finest.
I would reccomend the CD to Buffett fans of course, and also to any fan of country music.
It's sad to see so many people take cheap and easy pot shots at a well made album, just because it's "country". Grow up, and hop back on the boat.

-in the music and media biz for 15 years-

Never liked JB much, never liked "parrotheads," never liked novelty songs. But I DO like this album. It is funny, happy, melodic, well-produced, and a welcome introduction to this kind of country music for Buffett fans who possibly never heard its type. Like the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, CHILL isn't the last word on this type music but it is an excellent place to start from a good musician with a good voice, a talent for picking the right songs and those to accompany him. I hope he does more music like this.

I was sure Jimmy was forever in a rut of wonderful music to sooth every parrot's soul. His country collaboration shows he can have fun with any type of music. The songs are different than any he has done before but all great just the same. The Jimmy Buffet spirit we have come to expect is present and the album has prompted me to "crossover" to some of these other artists as well. I never expected Toby, Kenny and Martina to be among my favorites but I have actually picked up their CDs now too.

When I first heard Jimmy Buffett was going to do a "country" album, I was a bit apprehensive. Although I love his earlier stuff where he was more country, I had grown accustomed to his more recent Beach-Themed efforts.
Rest assured, this album will not dissapoint. The selection of country artists that assist Jimmy on this album work beautifully.
All the duets shine, notably "Boats to Build" with Alan Jackson, "License to Chill" with Kenny Chesney, and and "Hey Good Lookin'" with Jackson, Strait, Black, Chesney, and Keith is quite catchy and should be playing in your stereo for some time after purchase.
As a recommendation, Jimmy Buffett once melded the whole country-Beach theme styles in a very underrrated album called RIDDLES IN THE SAND. If you enjoy LICENSE TO CHILL, give RIDDLES a look.
Many Parrotheads will wonder with Buffett's surge in the country world if he isn't a straight-up country star now. Check out the song "Simply Complicated", where Jimmy poses this question quite playfully. One of Jimmy's best albums in some time.

I preordered this album before it's release date-taking a huge gamble. But I should have known Jimmy wouldn't let me down. The blend of country and carribean is refreshing to loyal Parrotheads and introduces the country flock into the world they've been missing. Some may say this album isn't typical Buffett. Well, I would hope that an aging Jimmy with a grown daughter wouldn't be stealing peanut butter or scarfing down boat drinks anymore. This album reflects what Jimmy has become: a well-traveled, experienced musician. A mature, must-own album for dedicated fans and appreciators of timeless music. If this helps, it hasn't left my cd player for two weeks, and I'm not tired of it yet.

I simply couldn't WAIT for this CD to come out and wasn't in the least disappointed. I'm not a huge country fan, but sure have appreciated all these country artists giving Jimmy his props these past couple of years. Now I do realize that everyone has a right to their opinion, but I don't see what all the fuss is about with "not enough island flavor" and suggestions that Jimmy is selling out with Licensed to Chill. Personally, I was really impressed with how he managed to keep that "island flavor" with so many country artist collaborations. I have every record/cassette/CD of Jimmy's and find this one just as quality, charistmatic, and classic Jimmy as any other ... actually ... even more so. He never gets old or stale and the music is always fresh and exciting. License to Chill is no exception.

Don't let a couple of whining parrot heads on the Amazon reviews keep you from buying this CD. Frankly, this is one of the best CDs you can buy for a gift for someone else. Every cut is enjoyable and the integration of other music artists just adds great flavor. I'm a Jimmy fan from the beginning and I say "hell yeah" to this release. Jimmy "ain't never done anything" the way anyone else would do it, and I am sure he is crying all the way to the bank that a couple of Amazon reviewers think he's sold out (to what?) with Licensed to Chill. Jimmy's always been "A Piece of Work" and this CD is worth every penny. Hey ... you can send me your copy if you don't like it ... I've worn mine out already!