2024 the best songwriters of the 21st century review

Price: $15.98 - $13.41
(as of Nov 29, 2024 11:57:10 UTC - Details)

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DMEQOXS
Publisher ‏ : ‎ SELECT O HITS (August 20, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.53 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.87 x 0.22 x 5.03 inches
Reviewer: Bill Oakes
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Another home run from da man!
Review: I've been around the block with JB. Followed him since '77...I've seen him put out great albums, good ones, marginal ones, and ones where he just phoned it in (i.e. Encores). So it was with GREAT interest that I looked forward to this first studio album in a long long long long long time. I listened to Jimmy's prevue the day before availability, and received my CD the next day (yes, I still get the CD....I prefer to burn it at an acceptable bit rate, vs the crap you get on most online stores).So my initial input is that, like many JB albums, there's good, there's great, and there's filler. Here's my thoughts on the various tracks:01] Something 'Bout a Boat. JB's ode to boats, dogs, and guitars. Nice easy beat, good (not great) beach music.02] Einstein Was a Surfer. I suspect that was the last track recorded. It's definitely filler, and I'd lay money you'll never hear it live. Likely beach music, but it'll go on my "skip" list.03] Earl's Dead - Cadillac for Sale. My first thought on listening to it was "myeh". But the 2nd time, I kinda got into the story (almost six minute one, at that). I like the riff and backbeat...and while I don't know where I'd file it (it's not really a ballad...just a story of a dead circus performer), but it's not too bad.04] Too Drunk to Karaoke. So this is the one that JB is hanging his hat on. Personally, I'm not a fan. Too country, too many voices singing as the same guy, and just not that great. Even the video isn't that great. BUT...it clearly has audience participation built-in, and I suspect that it'll be a regular in concerts going forward.05] Serpentine. This is a beautiful ballad. Great story, great guitar (Martin D18...you'll hear it on most of the songs on this album), and just an awesome sound. Likely not going to get a lot of live play, but who cares...great song.06] Useless But Important Information. Ok....too country, but too damned great. Plus, I live that phrase, so I have to like this song. The ONLY thing I would have changed is when he does this live, Nadira sings the last "useless"...Jimmy in the studio version does both parts...doesn't quite work. That said, fun song, and I hope it sticks around his concert list for a while.07] I want to Go Back to Cartagena. This is on here twice (last "unofficial" track of the CD). Let me just say, GREAT song. Slight Spanish style (vs the other one), great sound, great lyrics. I've been to Cartagena, and remember the music scene vividly. This is tied, IMHO, with Serpentine for best track on the CD.08] Soulfully. The D18 is back. Anyone who's heard "Louisiana" done live by Jimmy will recognize this melody. It's a nice ballad, but rather bland, IMHO.09] Rue de la Guitare. GREAT story of a section of Paris that specializes in musical instruments in various stores...streets and streets of various style shops. And, in one of these, Jimmy finds his replacement Martin D18. I think this song will wear out quickly, but it's fun to listen to.10] I'm No Russian. Ok, lots of hip references (for today), but I suspect that was the 2nd to last song recorded. Just not all that well put together (again, IMHO).11] Tides. Nice boat ballad. Great melody and some, along with the D18, some great harmonies.12] The Rocket that Grandpa Rode. A nice tribute to the original rocket men (Apollo missions). I enjoyed listening to Jimmy talk about the origins of this song...turns out I was in the same bus line he was in, headed towards the same shuttle launch. He, of course, was with astronauts, and I was with the little people....but I "got" where he was coming from with this song. I don't think it'll make it very long in his play list, but it's a fun song.13] I Wave Bye Bye. With a nice D18 intro, this ballad has a nice easy beat, and shows off Jimmy's voice quite well.14] Colour of the Sun. Interesting that Jimmy chose to spell "colour" like the rest of the world...that French and Spanish influence must be kicking in. This is a nice ballad that is easy to listen to. I suspect it'll become an Encore piece if it makes it to his playlist.15] Oldest Surfer on the Beach. Written for Buffett by Mark Knopfler, you'll here Mark's D18 on this song. Another nice ballad that does a good job of covering the mindset of a surfer on the other side mid-life. My 3rd fav on the CD - great lyrics, well sung, and again, that D18. The "official" end of the CD.16] I Want to Go Back to Cartagena - the "hidden" track. The official Spanish market release of the above. I like both versions equally - they have a totally different sound, but follow the same beat (listen, and you'll see what I mean).Overall, a bit better than what I was expecting....it's clear that Jimmy and gang put some serious effort into making this CD, and absolutely it's worth picking up - especially if you like ballads or just great, fun music.

Reviewer: Joseph Cote
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Jimmy Buffett CD
Review: Perfect, brother & sister-in-law loved it for Christmas.

Reviewer: Susan Walsh
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great songs and music.
Review: Awesome! Great Jimmy Buffet sounds and music. Kind of mellow with great stories. Rest in Peace Jimmy. You sure were one of a kind!

Reviewer: Jeff & Wendy S
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A wonderful, relaxing, atmospheric album...
Review: I've been a Buffett fan for about 30 years, but he doesn't get an automatic passing grade from me if he doesn't deliver. Let me set the stage by saying I was not exactly thrilled by most of his last album (Buffet Hotel) or some of his other less-than-stellar albums (Beach House on the Moon) - although they too had some gems.I found this album to be a very pleasant surprise. While most of his "modern era" albums took several listenings to appreciate, this one had its appeal on the first listen. I read some of the negative reviews and they just go to show that everyone has different tastes, even among fans. Contrary to some reports, I think this is a very melodic and catchy set of songs, with only a few mild klunkers - but remember, this CD has 16 songs on it... back in the vinyl days, 10-12 max was the norm, so I can forgive a few filler pieces. If I were to make an album of the 10 best songs on this CD, I would probably give it 5 stars.The most commercial and bouncy of the songs, "Too Drunk to Karaoke" and "Earl's Dead" are my LEAST favorite tracks on the album - they try too hard to go after the country crowd that embraced his "License to Chill" album (which I like quite a bit, but it took me a long time to warm up to). Like Jimmy, I'm getting older and growing up, and I appreciate his more subdued approach with this album. I feel like he made an album that he wanted to make, not just one to make money.The clear but mellow vocals, exquisite acoustic music makes wonderful music to relax or work to. A few of the songs, "Einstein was a Sailor" and "I'm no Russian" are a bit repetitious and probably won't get you singing along, but even they are fun songs. "Useless but Important Information", "Tides" feel like below-average filler.And other songs are are simply beautiful and close to perfect: "Something About a Boat", "I Wave Bye Bye", "Colour of the Sun"My other favorite artist is Mark Knopfler, so of course, I dig "Oldest Surfer on the Beach" with Mark sitting in and providing his own distinctive beach sound.BOTTOM LINE: This isn't beach party music for twenty-somethings. It's dinner party music for us mature fans. If you like Buffett ballads, you will almost certainly love this album. If Jimmy's bouncy and/or country tunes are your only interest, you might think about skipping this one.

Reviewer: parrot head
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best Studio Album In 17 Years
Review: Finally Jimmy features the steel pan again!!! Much better than the abysmal "Buffett Hotel" which is only used as a drink coaster at my house. I don't know what the negative reviewers want from Jimmy...this is a solid album. I actually edited my original review after further listening. Heck, even "Too Drunk" has grown on me. This is a much better "lyrical" album than his recent releases and many songs highlight his "story telling" skills. I have noticed that many reviews criticize Jimmy for not actually "singing" the songs but rather just "talking". I agree that this is true on some of the songs but the main reason he does this is because there are too many words in "telling the story" of the song. "Earl's Dead" would actually be awkward sounding if he sung each word. We all know that Jimmy isn't the best singer anyway so maybe those that criticize his vocals may want to check out Michael Bolton's latest release...Don't pay much attention to the haters because if you read the so-called "fan" reviews one spells Buffet, another mentions that 5'Oclock somewhere is on "License to Chill" and yet another doesn't like "Floridays"! How can a Jimmy Buffett fan hate "Floridays"!? I guess that's why the reviewer doesn't like this one... In my opinion the best since "Banana Wind"!

Reviewer: Val
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great
Review: Great

Reviewer: spigomars
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: SONGS FROM ST, SOMEWHERE, a list of songs from JIMMY BUFFETT to all of his fans in PARROTLAND. Sorry for my most tardy review of this great collection of Mr. Buffett's songs. I must say that his lifestyle certainly makes me jealous indeed. Sailing around the Carribean islands with pen and musical note paper in hand along with his acoustic guitar in his lap. Certainly his motivation and inspiration for his songs is not lacking or very far away. Sailing during the day and writing his favorite kinds of music at evening as he watches the sun set behind palm trees life could be much worse, that is for sure. ST Somewhere has just that kind of scene all through the songs and makes owning it worthwhile all on its own.

Reviewer: RedDragon73
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: So glad I bought another Jimmy Buffet CD after listening to the greatest hots for a long time...Well worth buying and it's getting it's fair share of playtime!

Reviewer: Philby
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Jimmy buffett in Italia è quasi sconosciuto mentre negli States è un'icona al pari di Springsteen, Petty ecc.Che dire di questo cd..Ho letto delle recensioni che non ne parlavano granchè bene adducendo ad una certa ripetitività rispetto ai dischi precedenti ma che volete..Buffett è questo: mare, barche, tramonti sulla spiaggia, palme. Secondo me in questo disco ci sono almeno due capolavori assoluti: "Serpentine", una ballata impreziosita da un gran lavoro di tromba che ci trasporta con la mente ai confini con il Messico e poi la meravigliosa "I want to go back to Cartagena" (presente anche in spanish version): qui ci troviamo di fronte a ritmi messico-caraibici con una fisarmonica a condurre le danze. Un disco per chi ama sole, mare, spiaggie..rilassante e coinvolgente (come tutta la produzione di Jimmy). Ascoltata in una giornata come quella odierna qui da me (nuvoloso, pioggia) si fa apprezzare ancor di più ..

Reviewer: Ralf Renner
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Dieses Jimmy Buffett Album grenzt nahtlos an die großen Buffett Alben der Vergangenheit an. Es erinnert an "Beachhouse On The Moon" ebenso wie an "Far Side Of The World" oder "Banana Wind". Einmal rockt er mit Toby Keith richtig los um dann wieder leicht melancholisch Sehnsüchte nach der Ferne zu wecken. Dennoch bleibt alles immer gut gelaunt und leicht. Tolles Album!

Reviewer: Pura Vida
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Product arrived in good shape and a bit earlier than projected