Customer Reviews

Live in Anguilla

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have gradually gotten away from being a Parrothead after Banana Wind was released, but this one looked like a winner, so I bought it. These are some of the best versions of Buffet favorites that I have ever heard, thanks to the higher mix of the steel drums and the overall sound quality. There are also quite a few concert rarities, which gives a very fresh feel to these old songs. He covers his entire career on this one.

As for the DVD, which I watched first, it looks like a private party for the mega rich on the most expensive island in the Caribbean. Sure, most Parrotheads could afford the $100 ticket price that 3500 lucky few managed to score, but one has to be filthy rich or just plain crazy in order to have been able to actually attend this show. Thank goodness that this was recorded for the rest of us at a bargain price. This one is a no-brainer.

My wife is the "woman to blame" - she is the one that got me started listening to Buffett. We have many of his CDs, but there is nothing like hearing him live in concert. We have numerous other live CDs and DVDs. I have to say that this is the best live version due to the high audio quality. It truly sounds like you are there close to him on stage. The acoustics are the best sounding from all of his live releases. If you had to choose between any of the live versions, this would be it. The price is also great considering you get 2 CDs and a DVD. The songs he plays are oldies, but some are ones he hasn't played for a long time. Truly one of his best masterpieces!!!

I bought Jimmy's latest live the day it was released (11/6/07.) There really isn't much of anything that wasn't heard before (many times over.) It is a good cd. Buffett fans like myself will buy virtually anything he puts out simply because it's Buffett. The approximate 82 minute included dvd is worth the $23 I paid alone. Definately worth picking up, but don't look for anything spectacular on this disc. Fins up!!

I received my copy yesterday (11/6). I immediately listened to both CDs and later watched half of the DVD. I had to go to bed at a decent hour. I had mixed feelings about the music at first. Maybe it's because it was a smaller venue than the stadiums we're used to hearing and seeing concerts in, but I got the feeling that this was more like an "unplugged" version of a JB concert. Jimmy and the band sounds great but the songs were very much like the recorded versions. There just wasn't that much improvising and ad-libbing as on previous live recordings. I don't think it's because Jimmy is slowing down, more like playing to a smaller crowd, maybe. In any case, I still enjoyed the CDs and the video is worth the price alone. Phins up!

I've been a Buffett fan for 20 years. I have all of his studio albums, and several [but not all] of the live ones. Buffett's best songs take the listener to a different world and reveal characters that we'd all love to meet, adventures we'd all love to experience. But I don't wear rose-colored parrot glasses; at their worst, some of Buffett's songs can be a little too novelty, finding themselves to be much more funny or entertaining than they really are. For every "That's What Living is To Me" or "One Particular Harbour," there are also songs like "You'll Never Work in 'Dis Bidness Again" [which ruined the otherwise-perfect CREOLA, but that's another story].

I bought LIVE IN ANGUILLA as a gift for my wife. I had heard the very mediocre LIVE AT WRIGLEY FIELD, which features a horrible sound mix and a lackluster performance, and I was suspicious about whether I would be wasting my money on ANGUILLA. I read the mostly-positive reviews here, and I decided to take a chance.

This album reminds me of everything that is good about Buffett's music. I don't know if it was the remote locale, but if that's what brings out such great performances in Buffett, he needs to start playing more obscure locations and recording them.

It's got lots of favorites,including "Changes in Latitudes...," "One Particular Harbour," "Volcano," and more. The version of "Treat Her Like a Lady" is just plain breath-taking, and "Weather With You" sounds better than the studio version. I love the muted trumpet. He also pulls out some tunes that he doesn't play often anymore, including "Carnival World."

In fact, it's the rare songs that are the real treat. The covers of The Beach Boys' "In My Room" and Marley's "Waiting in Vain" [sung by his guitarist] were huge surprises. I've always been a bigger fan of Buffett's acoustic songs, so "Distantly in Love" was a fitting closer for my ears.

...which brings me to the best and worst thing about the set: the "beach show," a short acoustic + steel drum set performed on the beach the day before the real concert. The three songs from this short beach concert [end of CD2] are among my favorite things Buffett has EVER released, studio or otherwise. To me, this is what his music is about---a bunch of friends who love music, sitting on a beach with the sand between their toes, singing great tunes to the sound of the waves.

So, my question is this: What happened to "Jolly Mon," "Banana Republics," "Coast of Marseilles," "In My Room," "Presents to Send You," "Stranded in a Sand Bar," and "A Pirate Looks at 40/Redemption Song" from the beach show? Those songs are all listed in the set list in the CD booklet, yet they're not on the CD. It is a complete injustice that the entire beach show wasn't included. If nothing else, it should have and could have been included on the DVD.

Still, in spite of this issue, it's a great CD. With all due respect to his last few albums, it's the most satisfying Buffett music I've bought in a long, long time. So...how about releasing the beach concert as an iTunes download, at the very least?

If that's not a possibility due to technical issues or something like that, then I think Buffett should do more of those types of shows and RECORD AND RELEASE them! We all love the fun sing-a-long songs like "Cheeseburger," but the beach show drew attention to the fact that Buffett is a very talented songwriter, too.

ANGUILLA is the best thing, in terms of complete albums, that he's released since FRUITCAKES. I strongly recommend it for Buffett fans who may have felt a little disillusioned with his most recent few albums and miss the magic.

mattl

Jimmy Buffett's Live in Anguilla (2007) was recorded during an outdoor stage show at reggae singer Bankie Banx's beach bar, The Dune Preserve, in the British West Indies. Bankie also joins Jimmy and The Coral Reefer Band on stage to sing his own Still In Paradise (that's Bankie pictured on the album cover with Jimmy). The show was a benefit concert that assisted local charities and foundations.

Live in Anguilla is a 3-disc set (2 CDs, 1 DVD) that's packaged in a double clamshell jewel case and includes a colorful booklet. Combined, the two CDs offer 30 songs, and the sound quality is absolutely flawless. Crisp and clear, it's easy to imagine being right there in paradise enjoying this professionally casual performance.

Most of the songs feature sexy female backing vocals and a steel drum that gives the music a very nice Carribean flavor, but songs like Domino College, Fins and Cheeseburger In Paradise all rock with heavy drums and meaty electric and slide guitar solos. Mostly, this show is a laid back affair that's perfectly suited for rockers and Parrotheads who are kinda sorta grown up and well adjusted. Nobody's singing the blues here, that's for sure.

Jimmy is having a great time as usual, and his audience quite naturally adores him. Buffett is a sort of antithesis to the modern day rock star. He's a sailor, pilot, author and businessman, and many everyday adults find him much more accessible than an emotionally troubled head banger or a stage prancer wearing high heels and make up.

Heading up to San Francisco
For the Labor Day weekend show
I've got my hush-puppies on
I guess I never was meant for glitter rock n' roll

Those lines are from an early Jimmy Buffet hit, Come Monday, and there's a nice version of the song included here. Buffett cheerfully serves up most of the Parrothead anthems and biggies including Margaritaville, Changes In Latitudes Changes In Attitudes, A Pirate Looks At Forty, Volcano, Son Of A Son Of A Sailor and It's Five O'clock Somewhere. Other highlights are the fantastic versions of One Particular Harbor and Treat Her Like A Lady, Buffett's tribute to the ocean.

Some of us sailors call her home
She's big and she's strong and she's mighty
Some of us sailors call her our own
I guess that's the reason why I treat her like a lady

There are a few surprisingly good covers here, too. Jimmy had a hit single with Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl, and it's included, but he also performs pleasant versions of CSN's Southern Cross, The Beach Boys' In My Room, and Bob Marley's Waiting In Vain.

The 82-minute DVD includes an intimate session down on the beach with two acoustic guitars, a steel drum and a bongo drum in front of a small group of people. That morphs into the actual stage show, and it's all great footage that's very enjoyable. Shots of the audience having fun, boats in the water, Jimmy piloting a plane, and sweet young thangs in bikinis cut in and out of the concert scenes. Parrothead Heaven!

Live in Anguilla is essential for Parrotheads, and Jimmy Buffett fans will get a top quality updated live album with a DVD. There's nothing groundbreaking here, just summertime family fun and live music. The essence of Jimmy Buffett and the Parrothead phenomena is quite pleasantly experienced here, but this set probably won't instantly turn someone who's not a fan into a Parrothead. After a few margaritas maybe...

If you're not into Jimmy Buffett then I suppose it's hard to explain. He just makes folks feel good. The music is catchy, and most of it 's been heard before. Though there are a few new or less recorded tunes here. But Jimmy to so darn likeable and the ingratiating way the program is delivered, it makse you just want to pull on your tee shirt and flip flops and head for the beach. As usual his backup is first rate.
The DVD is great. Would've given a month's pay to have been there. Probably about what it would have cost, but would have felt it money well spent. Jimmy's touring a bit less so have to get your fix via the wonders of electronic recording. But what the heck, the seats are better than being there, though mixing with the crowd would've been fun. Jimmy's crowds are nothing, if not fun.
If your not a fan yet, take this out for a test drive and see if you don't become one. And if you are, how can you pass a double CD and full DVD for this price. Like getting two for the price of one without any cut in quality.
Thanks, Jimmy, from those of us who are heading into the cooler months, for something to keep us warm till spring.

A confirmed Parrothead, I'll admit I delayed buying this one out of ignorance: I didn't realize there was a DVD included until I was in the supermarket the other day and it was playing on a big flat-screen television. I immediately ordered it from Amazon and watched the entire DVD start to finish the evening after it arrived in my mailbox.
I'm a sailor. I've bareboat chartered in the Caribbean. There's salt water in my veins. I'm from Florida. I'd give up a couple years of my life to be in Jimmy's skin for a couple months. I've read all his books. This compilation is a "must have" if you like well engineered CD's in a fantastic setting. Forget the old songs...they're all classics, just like Mr. Buffett. Enjoy them, the fantastic shots of water and boats, and the obvious joy of the people who had the great fortune of being able to attend this "festival"...."concert" is too stuffy a term for this. Jimmy in shorts, t-shirt, flip flops (which he gives away to two women in the crowd at the end of the event, one who can be clearly seen mouthing, "OH, MY GOD!!!", is at his best.

My favorite part is the clever transition from a song being sung on the beach to the stage performance. Get the DVD and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Fins Up, My Friends

Great addition to any Parrothead's collection. CDs are super and the DVD is outstanding. Fins Up!

The two CDs are good with some songs not previously recorded live and some really nice versions of Buffet favorites. But what makes this a "must have" for parrotheads is the DVD, which is 80 minutes of the show in Anguilla. The DVD is extremely well produced - it's as close to the experience of the real show as you can get. The DVD starts out with an informal beach performance that ends with "One Particular Harbor" morphing into the on-stage concert. I wouldn't rate this as the best live Buffet CD, but the DVD makes it something special.