Tagged: Mac McAnally

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#110 – Ti Punch Cafe

Jimmy Buffett, as a writer, whether of songs or stories, was never short on ideas, nor afraid to let his imagination flow. Some of Jimmy’s songs were based on a simple inspiration, maybe a sunset or a perfect day on the water or an iconic drink from the islands, while some of his songs had multiple inspirations, which he always managed to combine into a fantastic song, as if they were always meant to be merged and set to music. Even odd combinations, such as far away star systems and cosmic bakers, or mythologic singers and pirates, or children’s stories about princes from outer space, Ti Punch Café is one of those songs, a little bit of everything that seems to fit together into a beautiful world we would all like to visit for an hour or two, maybe even longer.

#108 – It’s My Job

“Keep the party going” is a quote that’s been rolling through my mind the last several days, and it’s been in relation to my blog posts about Jimmy Buffett’s music. At the beginning of the year, I planned on a song post every Monday, keeping the song sharing going, that I started last year, as a tribute after Jimmy’s passing…
“It’s my job to be better than the best, and that makes the day for me…”
It’s My Job was released on JB’s 1981 album Coconut Telegraph, and it happens to be one of two songs on that album that Jimmy did not have any part of writing. It was written by Lyman Corbitt McAnally Jr. Yes, that’s Mac’s full name, the incomparable Mac McAnally, long-time friend, writing partner, bandmate, and stage side kick of Jimmy Buffett…

#103 – Scarlet Begonias

If there was one song that could weave together the Deadheads and Parrotheads, it would be Scarlet Begonias. A fusion of eccentric fans, fun, and flash, with beads, bangles and feathers, and tie-dye and Hawaiian prints, and while the two groups have always had many similarities, and probably several people who wear both hats, when Jimmy Buffett covered the beloved Grateful Dead song Scarlet Begonias, these eccentric groups were undoubtedly fused together with music.

#97 – University Of Bourbon Street

University Of Bourbon Street is a song that seems to encapsulate just about everything that Jimmy Buffett loved and admired about New Orleans, combined into one rollicking, Jazz anthem that could lift the heart and soul of every person that hears it. There are mentions of voodoo and gris gris, pirates and streetcars, hurricanes and riverboats, Po’Boy’s and Muffaletta’s, and if that doesn’t capture your attention, then the brass band, dancing feet, second line imagery certainly will. A song that is so personal to Jimmy’s life that his parents’ names are even in the lyrics. Then, there is the actual music, which will absolutely have your feet tapping and your hands clapping and your soul lifting up, all wrapped into a nice little “how to” package of fun!

#96 – City Of New Orleans

Jimmy Buffett was an amazing song writer and performer, and I think that made him appreciate other songwriters and performers. One of those who was a great friend of his, and who Jimmy credits for teaching him so much, was the late Steve Goodman. One of Goodman’s biggest hits of his career was a little tune he penned called City Of New Orleans, and several times in Jimmy’s career, he honored Steve by playing this song and even put a live version of it on an album.

#90 – Stories We Could Tell

There are many songs that Jimmy Buffett has recorded over the years that seem to touch some deep chord in the listener’s soul. And Stores We Could Tell is one of those songs. And it goes way back to the early years of Jimmy’s music, when he was still struggling in Key West, but everything was starting to fall into place. His music from that time shows his ever-evolving development as an artist, but also seems to touch on things that were important in his life. Storytelling was an integral part of Jimmy’s life, both as an artist and as a human who was spending a lot of time touring to make his dreams come true. Therefore, he was spending a lot of time in hotels between travel and shows, and this song manages to poignantly embrace both the performer and the soul of who Jimmy was.

#89 – Like My Dog

Like My Dog was released on JB’s album Equal Strain On All Parts, the album that turned out to be Jimmy’s posthumous gift to us. The song is light, it’s playful, it’s humorous, it’s emotional and poignant in a way that is hard to describe, yet still leaves the listener feeling warm and fuzzy.  I think this song connects deeply with people who understand the special bond between humans and dogs.

#88 – What If The Hokey Pokey Is All It Really Is About

What If The Hokey Pokey Is All It Really Is About is a humorous, irreverent, and yet strangely introspective song of Jimmy Buffett’s. It has his characteristic humor mixed into popular culture, current (for 2002) news and deeply thoughtful questions and concerns about life on this crazy planet we call Earth, as well as our ever-expanding universe.  And what is the Hokey Pokey really all about anyway? It is supposed to be simple, while life is not. The ironic thing is, while the Hokey Pokey song and dance are uncomplicated, its history is quite complicated.

#87 – Hey, That’s My Wave

Jimmy Buffett was great at creating a picture, a scene, or demonstrating a lifestyle with his music. The music can invigorate the listener, it can make us feel emotional or nostalgic, often times it can make us smile, or laugh right out loud. Hey, That’s My Wave hit’s both the humor and the nostalgia, bringing to mind days when the surf was less crowded and there was enough room that people did not need to brawl in the water to catch a wave. The water and many of its activities, including surfing, were an integral part of Jimmy’s life, and I am grateful that he was able to bring so much life to my mind through his music.

#82 – Johnny’s Rhum

“I had a dream I was down at Jojo’s, Havin’ a burger ‘neath the setting sun, Johnny was sitting in the corner, Sippin’ on a glass of Depaz Rhum…”

Of all the songs on Jimmy’s posthumous album, this one took me completely unaware, and captivated a bit of my soul when I first heard it. And each and every time I hear it, I still feel the same way. Cataloging favorites is hard, so all I am going to say is that this song is special.

Johnny’s Rhum was released on JB’s 2023 album Equal Strain On All Parts. It turned out to be a posthumous album release, although I do not necessarily believe it was intended to be. Whatever its intent, this is an album full of wonderful songs and each is special in its own way.