Reviews of Jimmy Buffett Shows Past

"Changes in Attitude" brought the first roar of recognition from the crowd, and soon the singer and his Choral Reefer Band had the Hawaiian-shirted multitudes gobbling down "Cheeseburgers in Paradise," wasting away in "Margaritaville" and "Havana Daydreaming."

Buffett skillfully contrasted the raucous crowd pleasers like "It's My Job" and "God's Own Drunk" with some of his most sensitive writing. "A Pirate Looks at 40" was haunting, and his "national anthem for war babies" entitled "We're Growing Older But Not Up" captured a similar poignancy.

In short, Buffett's concerts are like visiting an ocean resort after Labor Day. It may not be the most exciting place to be, but it's a welcome and refreshing change of pace. He returns tonight.

Mike Joyce

The Washington Post

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July 3, 1982
Anyone who thinks Jimmy Buffett would rather be sailing this holiday weekend knows him by reputation only. Last night at Merriwether Post Pavilion (where he returns tonight), Buffett was in his true element, appeasing the rock 'n' roll hunger of thousands of fans who were vocally primed for his celebration of sun, surf and suds.

Buffett hasn't had a hit in five years but it matters little to his fans who greeted even a beer commercial he wrote recently with a standing ovation. What matters, really, are the old songs and the easy, charmed life style they suggest. "Margueritaville," "Changes in Latitudes . . .," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," all delivered with power and enormous enthusiasm last night, hardly have lyrics for the ages. But in Buffett's hands, with a fine "Coral Reefer Band" behind him, these songs are quickly transformed into rousing summertime anthems.

The evening's only drawback came during Buffett's all too brief acoustic set. Though it included the lovely "Banana Republic," it focused on an especially long-winded version of "God's Own Drunk." Buffett could have easily spent the time on some of his better ballads, but then subtlety wasn't much in demand last night.

Mike Joyce

The Washington Post

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