A number of years ago I was surprised to hear Jimmy Buffett covered Uncle John’s Band. I was even more shocked when Buffett also covered Scarlet Begonias. I will be the first to admit that I’m not a huge Jimmy Buffett fan. I think he’s got a few decent songs, but I’m not a really a boat person, and I prefer swimming pools to the ocean (just ask my wife – it drives her nuts) so it may be that I just don’t “get” the whole Parrothead thing. Nevertheless, I think his arrangement of this tune is great and the instrumentation gives it a great feel that is similar to one of my favorite versions of Scarlet Begonias that the Dead played.
Unsurprisingly, this version has a Caribbean feel to it. There is some of that marimba sound (like from Day 230) and some happy slide guitar that adds a slight countryish feel to the song. There is a ton of energy here and a very full sound. The guitar solo has two people playing at the same time, one straight and one slide, the latter continues to contribute heavily to the feel of the song. I like the stops they put in at the start of the last verse and there’s even a female singer wailing over the succeeding jam for a bit as well. I’m not the biggest Jimmy Buffett fan (not in the least), but as far as covers go this one is just plain fun in my book.
One comment to “Day 270: Scarlet Begonias (Jimmy Buffett)”
Lunchbox,
Haven’t checked in for a while, but saw this post tonight. I do like Buffet a lot and he’s a lot better songwriter than most folks realize. Besides his popular hits that were radio popular, he’s got a ton of stuff that is great but simply doesn’t fit the Magville, Fins, Boatdrinks model. Lot of great laid back country/Carib./blues that many fans like more than the party stuff. That said the Carib. stuff makes for great singalong, summer drinking music.
Did catch him first time in 2004 at Fenway park at the time of this release and he broke this one out either as an encore or at least right before that. The crowd went nuts and his version fit right in with the dynamic of the whole show and hearing this one with steel drums seemed to make a lot of sense somehow. He also did a gag where he drove off the cursh of the Bambino and promised the Boston fans it was over and the Sox would win it all in the fall. Lo and behold a few months later it comes true.
Great to see you still going strong and thanks also for you Jane’s addiction post from yesterday. Thought I might of been one of a small group that enjoyed their take. My favorite’s from that release besides that one were The Indigo girls, Uncle Johns and Elvis’ C’s, Ship of Fools. Thanks as always.
Lunchbox,
Haven’t checked in for a while, but saw this post tonight. I do like Buffet a lot and he’s a lot better songwriter than most folks realize. Besides his popular hits that were radio popular, he’s got a ton of stuff that is great but simply doesn’t fit the Magville, Fins, Boatdrinks model. Lot of great laid back country/Carib./blues that many fans like more than the party stuff. That said the Carib. stuff makes for great singalong, summer drinking music.
Did catch him first time in 2004 at Fenway park at the time of this release and he broke this one out either as an encore or at least right before that. The crowd went nuts and his version fit right in with the dynamic of the whole show and hearing this one with steel drums seemed to make a lot of sense somehow. He also did a gag where he drove off the cursh of the Bambino and promised the Boston fans it was over and the Sox would win it all in the fall. Lo and behold a few months later it comes true.
Great to see you still going strong and thanks also for you Jane’s addiction post from yesterday. Thought I might of been one of a small group that enjoyed their take. My favorite’s from that release besides that one were The Indigo girls, Uncle Johns and Elvis’ C’s, Ship of Fools. Thanks as always.