Customer Reviews

Son of a Son of a Sailor

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the frustrating things for new Parrotheads when they venture beyond Buffett's greatest hits or live albums is the hit or miss nature of the albums from his different eras. The compilation albums sweep together songs from albums that might only have one or two truly classic tracks (whatever their other merits).

But "Son of a Son of a Sailor," though, is nothing but great songs from the moment that Buffett finally crystalized his Key West songwriter persona. There's the title track, "Livingston Saturday Night," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Coast of Marseilles," the incredible "Cowboy in the Jungle," "Manana" and "African Friend." Even the least of the songs on the album -- "Fool Button" and "The Last Line" -- are eminently listenable.

"Son of a Son of a Sailor" finds Jimmy in more of a wistful mood. When he's not talking about rough nights performing or extolling cheeseburgers, most of his songs on this album are about distant friends, lost loves and how life is more complicated than our dreams. This isn't pound your glass on the bar music, but rather the stuff that makes you want to lean back in your booth, looking out the window at the sea, and sing along wistfully.

If you only get one of Jimmy's albums from the 1970s, make it "Son of a Son of a Sailor."

Well, the guy who reviewed this album just before me ("Rod", from Texas)hit it right on the money. This is Buffett's next best album, and a great follow-up to "Changes". I'd also have to agree that "Fool Button" is the only weak cut on the album. (Being that I'm also from Texas, I'm not surprised that we think alike!) Other than that, I'd have to say that there are some of Buffett's classics on this album. Anyone new to Buffett who thinks songs like "Pacing the Cage" are Buffett at his best, should listen to "Coast of Marseilles", "African Friend", or especially, "Cowboy in the Jungle". Buffett exudes an unmatched understanding of the human condition on this album, but with a sense of humor. I first heard "Cowboy in the Jungle" when I was a freshman in college (Many years ago!) and am thankful that I did. That one song, and its message, has probably influenced more decisions in my own life than any other lyric I've ever heard. It has also kept me from losing my sanity on more than one occasion. If you could only have two Buffett albums in your collection, I'd recommend "Changes in Latitudes", and "Son of a Son of a Sailor". In fact, if you could only have two albums in your collection period, I'd have these two! Jerry Diaz, Key West-the band

After the success of "Margaritaville" took Jimmy Buffett into the mainstream, he followed that up with the best album of his career. Son Of A Son Of A Sailor combines all of Mr. Buffett's best elements: vivid songwriting; sharp humor; tropical rhythms; nothing but a good time attitude. The title track opens the album on a strong note. The song is autobiographical in nature and has an excellent vocal. "Fool Button" moves at a frenzied pace and tells of a night of going over the line while partying. "Last Line" has a funky beat reminiscent of Steely Dan's "Black Cow". "Livingston Saturday Night" takes Mr. Buffett back to his country roots and is a real country honky tonker. "Cheeseburger In Paradise" ranks right up there with "Margaritaville" in the Parrothead pantheon and is just plain fun. "Coast Of Marseilles" slows things down a bit while "Cowboy In The Jungle" may well be his most underrated song. It pretty much sums up Mr. Buffett's view on life, just roll with the punches, make the best of any situation and enjoy life because before you know it, it's gone. "Manana" is funny song that name checks everyone from Kiss to Anita Bryant and "African Friend" closes the album out on a quiet and touching note. Son Of A Son Of A Sailor was his first (and for 15 years, only) top ten album, peaking at number 10. If you even casually like Jimmy Buffett, this album should be in your collection.

Although Jimmy Buffett is not one of my favorite musicians in general, I rank this CD as one the the best CD's EVER by any artist. Every track is is an emotional good time. Whether the emotion is upbeat (Cheeseburger In Paradise) or solemn and wise (Cowboy in the Jungle), this collection of music is a must have for anyone.

Coast of Marseilles and Cowboy in the Jungle make this one.These are two of Jimmy's finest ballads. While most people probably picked this up for Cheeseburger in Paradise, they got a whole lot more.Don't try and describe the ocean if you've never seen it, Jimmy sings in "Manana". Don't try and describe Buffett if you've never heard this. A great album. A quick note on Livigston Saturday Night. An EVEN better version can be found on the Rancho Deluxe sountrack. Check it out.

This is one of JB's albums that is a definite must own!!! Especially for the newer phans that have only phlocked among us recently. I feel that listening to JB's older music will help you realize the scope that he has as a musician, and it will give you more of a perspective on his work as a whole. This is one of the greatest of all his albums to date.

The oh so popular hits by Buffett are here.
Such as "Son of a son of a Sailor(album title)", what an awesome song that just sets the tone for the entire record. It is a
one of his greatest hits of all time, and in so many ways reflects the man himself. "Livingston Saturday Night", which was performed in both films, "FM", and "Rancho Deluxe", by JB himself. The sing a long "Cheeseburger in Paradise" is also here. This is one of my all time favorite songs by Jimmy, probably more of an obvious choice, but a very fun and danceable tune that always gets me going. And always seems to make me hungry for that big hunk of meat.
This is a necessary album for any Buffett phans collection! You won't be disappointed!

Have every Buffett album, new to old, and 100s of other CDs ... nothing could replace Cowboy In the Jungle in my library. When I am tooling home down the freeway, sunroof open, after a tough day at work, this tune really brings it all into perspective. It allows me to walk into the house, and greet my lovely wife and great kids with a big smile on my face.

As a longtime listener to Jimmy Buffett's music, I've kind of divided what he did in the 70s and 80s into "classic" and "post-classic" -- and "Son of a Son of a Sailor," is the album kind of between the two. This was a time when he really began to make it big, commercially -- as opposed to the struggling singer-songwriter with a small, but dedicated following that he had built in the mid 70s.

It came on the heels of the great "Changes in Latitudes," record and he was clearly out of his early period that had an unclassifiable, but definite country sound. I think "Volcano," was definitely the first of his "post classic" recordings, for example, but that's another review.

This album rocks, though. All the songs are great -- including the iconic "Cheeseburger in Paradise," another Buffett "brand" that's made him very, very wealthy.

The title cut, "The Last Line," and the tune featured in the film "Rancho DeLuxe," "Livingston Saturday Night" are all standouts, as are the ballads, "Coast of Marseilles," and "African Friend." "Manana," and "Cowboy in the Jungle" and "Fool Button," fill out the album, but they're not filler -- especially "Manana," and "Cowboy." A word about this band, The Coral Reefer Band. The group seemed to have more or less the same personnel for a few albums and they were really tight on this recording.

As I recall, Jimmy had a broken leg on the concert tour that supported this album. I'm sure of it. Yeah, that's right, because when he did "Come Monday," he sung: "I've got my Hush Puppy on..." which got a big laugh.

Buffett was writing good songs and his concerts were selling out. People wanted in on the lifestyle he was selling and this album was pretty much the first one that sort of got the ball rolling on the "Parrothead" era that's still going strong.

So if you're new to Buffett, make sure to add this one to your collection, along with all the early stuff.

Nothin' but 5 big stars for this one.

When it came to his career Jimmy Buffett's life changed radically with Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes when "Margaritaville" broke out,became a pop radio staple and all of a sudden he became a hitworthy artist overnight. It wasn't long after that he started building his little mini Key West empire and began to attract primarily a group of devoted followers. This album captured him in a crucial point of transition between a newly cristened pop star to president of Margaritaville. Whatever the case it was excellent for Buffett musically as this follow up to new pop success found him presenting an album with a hugely greater variety in styles,tempo,rhythm and lyrics. He was a bonified pop star now and seems to have decided to take the opportunity to expand his musical pallet rather than stick to past laurels.

These songs all tell a story both musicall and lyrically. The title track that opens the album,along with perhaps "Coast Of Marseilles" and the closer "African Friend" are the only softer and acoustic sounding tracks that harken to what was done on the previous recording. There's "Fool Button",an underrated song with a strong funk/rock bent with a tight,gritty groove and typically jesting tale. The fierce rock and roller "Livingston Saturday Night" and the gospel/soul oriented "The Last Line" are additional highlites as well as the similarly jaunty combo of the two "Cheesburger In Paradise",where his wordplay could mean anything from an argument over dinner or the lag of success and performing-maybe both I am not him. "Cowboy In The Jungle" is another clever fish out of water tale that is the only tune here that could claim to clone "Margaritaville" to any hugely degree but it isn't a carbon copy exactly either-just similar harmonically.

Overall this is a fine follow up album and a huge success alone in terms of how it expanded so strongly on his musical pallette that was already pretty well established at this point. I can't tell you how many times I've seen an artist,especially one I have a personal interest in become successful and ware they same musical formula that got them success into the ground. That didn't happen with Buffett here as he presented different musical styles that emphasized the party atmosphere he was obviously looking-from funk to retro rock and roll as well as doing good by his lyrical storytelling. Over all this and the previous album should be purchased together because they both present flip sides of his musical personality and from the sound of this a pretty successful one.

SON OF A SON OF A SAILOR is a great Jimmy Buffett CD. It's not quite as great as its immediate predecessor, CHANGES IN LATITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDES, but only by a hair. This CD features the wonderful title track and "Cheeseburger In Paradise", both of which are as good as anything on the previous album. The rest of the album is quite impressive as well, but the follow-up, VOLCANO, despite a few good songs marked the beginning of a commercial and artistic downslide for Buffett, making this his last great studio album for many years. Buy this CD if you can.