Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [BOX SET]

Jimmy Buffett

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1992)
• Original Release Date: May 19, 1992
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Mca Nashville
• ASIN: B000002OL5
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,159 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

When Jimmy Buffett eventually becomes the subject of a college course--and given his enduring popularity as a singer-songwriter and author, you know he will someday--here's what'll be on the final exam. Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads is so named because the four-CD collection divides Buffett's collected works among those categories, giving each disc a theme. From early classics such as "Biloxi" and "Come Monday" to more recent fare known only by the Parrothead cognoscenti, this set is the perfect accompaniment to a cool drink and a hammock on a summer afternoon. What kind of cool drink? Well, that'll be on the final, too. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOMETHING HERE FOR ALL BUFFETT FANS, November 22, 2000

By	"craig_paul" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

I've been a Buffett fan for over 25 years, and personally enjoy the singer's more tender songs over the "party" songs. This is not to say there aren't times when I absolutely MUST hear "Fins" or "Cheeseburger In Paradise." The great thing about this excellent box set is that it includes a broad spectrum of tunes, spans Jimmy's entire career (up to the point of its release, of course), and has something to fit every mood. Buffett has even gone to the trouble of organizing the set in a way such that the listener can pick and choose between different types of songs. What more could we ask?

Of course there are, as with all anthologies or greatest hits packages, going to be questions as to why one song or another wasn't included. I would like to have seen "Death Of An Unpopular Poet" thrown in, but I'm not complaining - "I Heard I Was In Town" and "Sending The Old Man Home" are pleasant surprises.

So I'm more a "Ballads" and "Beaches" kind of guy - there is more than enough music of those types here to keep me occupied. Maybe you prefer the "Bars" and "Boats" stuff more - same deal. The fact that Buffett has included 72 songs in the set leaves little or no room for complaint. The simple fact is, if you like Buffett, you'll like "B,B,B, and B". It doesn't matter whether you're one of the new breed of Parrotheads or an old curmudgeon like me who would, at this point in my life, rather sit in the yard and listen to "When The Coast Is Clear" than be caught up in the mob scene at a live show.

This wonderful box set would, in my opinion, make a great gift for anyone (if there is anyone left) who's not yet been introduced to Buffett. In fact, if you have anyone on your Christmas list who fits that description, I suggest you pony up the dough (at 50 bucks or so, it's a steal) and buy that person a gift for which he or she will thank you many times over. Oh, and by all means, if you don't own it, buy it for yourself first.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Chosen Anthology Will Please Parrot Heads & Casual Fans., November 7, 2004

By	mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads" encompasses 20 years of Jimmy Buffett's material, from 1970-1990. It includes 72 songs (about 4 hours, 26 minutes) taken from 19 studio albums and 1 live album, as well as 8 previously unreleased tracks. The songs are distributed among 4 CDs, each dedicated to a boats, beaches, bars or ballads theme. There are Top 10 hits and obscure gems, all of consistently high quality.

As Jimmy Buffett is a man with sailing in his blood, the songs on the "Boats" CD seem close to his heart. "Boats"' 17 songs (66:22 minutes) are, for the most part, literally about sailing and sailors. The selection includes the popular "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" and background vocals by James Taylor on "Treat Her Like a Lady". "Love and Luck " is a previously unreleased track, written to a Zouk melody and featuring Steve Winwood on organ. "Take It Back" also makes its debut here.

Many of the songs on the "Beaches" CD were written about Buffett's days on Key West, the Gulf Coast, and the Caribbean. Others have nothing to do with the beach, but evoke an atmosphere of sand and sun. There are 18 "beach" songs (63:16 minutes), starting with the Parrot Head national anthem, "Margaritaville". "Money Back Guarantee" and "Christmas in the Caribbean" were previously unreleased.

The "Bars" CD kicks off with the rousing "Fins". Some of these 18 songs (61:35 minutes) are about bars; more may have been composed in bars, but mostly they are distinguished by indoors themes and lively beats. "Boats" is the Party CD. The slightly scandalous "Why Don't We Get Drunk" is here, along with Buffett's humorous, previously unreleased attempt at Elvis imitation, "Elvis Imitators". "Domino College" was also new as of this album.

The "Ballads" CD is self-explanatory. The melancholic-yet-optimistic hit "Come Monday" starts it off. The 19 ballads (74:22 minutes) include "Middle of the Night" and a live performance of "Everlasting Moon", both previously unreleased.

"Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads" is packaged in a 12 1/2" x 6" x 1 1/4" box that holds 4 CDs, each with its own jewel case, and a 63-page booklet entitled "The Parrot Head Handbook". In the Handbook, Jimmy Buffett comments on Parrot Heads, his search for a real "Margaritaville", the genesis of his career, and his seaplane, among other topics. There is fun stuff like a Parrot Head quiz, crossword puzzle, "Can you find Jimmy?" in old photos game, a recipe for the perfect Margarita, and a list of the world's 10 Best Cheeseburgers. Buffet has written a blurb telling the story behind every song, but lyrics are only included for "Margaritaville". Look for other lyrics at www.margaritaville.com . Keeping in mind that "Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads" was released in 1992 and includes none of Jimmy Buffett's work since then, this remains a fantastic and reasonably comprehensive set that will likely please casual fans and Parrot Heads alike.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My indoctrination to becoming a "Parrothead"!, October 10, 2001

By	Dave Hilton (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews

I have a few box sets in my CD collection, and this one I pull out to listen to quite frequently. What can I say, if you want to become a "parrothead", you have to buy this box set! This is a gem of a collection of Jimmy's songs! I have a Beach Boys box set that was quite disappointing.It contained some hits, but mostly outtakes and unreleased Brian Wilson compositions. This box set from Jimmy is so much more refreshing. There are no boring outtakes or weird stuff, but JIMMY'S unreleased material is a treasure. It's just plain Jimmy Buffett at its finest!

I was a little apprehensive to buy this box set, but I see now why so many Parrotheads recommend it. There are some unreleased songs that are excellent! One is "Love and Luck" which is a great song: upbeat, relaxing, and just plain fun! Another unreleased work is "Elvis Imitators", and I'll tell you this, Jimmy does a sensational impression of Elvis! Other released ballads that just really move me are "Changing Channels", "Tin Cup Chalice", "Incommunicado" and "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season". Some fun songs are "Manana", "Ragtop Day", "Frank and Lola", "Who's The Blond Stanger?", and "Jolly Mon Sing". Alot of this released material surprised me. I had no idea that besides the hits, Jimmy has written some incredible stuff!

With this box set and my first Jimmy concert in May 31, 2001, my transformation into a Parrothead is now complete! (Or so most of my Parrothead friends say, anyway!) Even if you aren't a hardcore Buffett fan, consider buying this CD box set. It is an exquisite and detailed collection of songs written by a guy who not only has depth and creativity, but knows how to have fun.