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Review: Buffett takes Parrotheads back to ‘Margaritaville’

Oakland Tribune October 22, 2008 | Jim Harrington The gal dressed in a parrot costume did not look out of place. this web site jimmy buffett tour 2011

Indeed, she fit in nicely next to the dudes wearing shark fins on their heads, the guys with cheeseburger hats and the ladies in hula skirts and bikini tops. All of those outfits, as well as an assortment of pirates’ garb and colorful beach attire, meet the dress code at the roving Never-Never Land that is a Jimmy Buffett tour.

On Tuesday, the multi-millionaire singer who refuses to grow up, and who inspires his fans to follow his lead, brought his endless beach party to the Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View. As always, the event turned out to be more than just a concert — it was a chance for Buffett’s loyal flock of Parrotheads, most of who lead normal lives 364 days a year, to forget about their mortgages, the economy and the price of gas for one precious night of goofy revelry.

“I know it’s a Tuesday night (and) there’s a recession on,” Buffett said to the crowd. “But we’re still rocking in the free world.” The 61-year-old vocalist-guitarist — born Christmas Day, 1946 — delivered what was expected of him during his generous two-set, 28- song performance. He transported us to the magical land known as “Margaritaville,” a place where the biggest concern is searching for a lost shaker of salt, and the Parrotheads loved every minute of it.

The escapist fun began as Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band, working on a stage decorated in tiki torches and palm trees, opened the show with such fun fan favorites as “Fruitcakes,” “Pencil Thin Moustache” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” The vocalist — dressed like he was on his way to some casual beach party, barefoot, with baggy surfer shorts and a simple yellow T-shirt — was in his regular happy-go-lucky mood as he went to great measures to connect with the crowd. He filled his songs with specific references to local hotspots and talked at length between numbers about the time he’s spent in the Bay Area. this web site jimmy buffett tour 2011

Buffett’s best-known album is 1985′s greatest-hits package “Songs You Know by Heart,” which has sold more than 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Those tracks, which these very vocal fans proved they do, indeed, know by heart, provided most of the musical highlights at Shoreline.

One of the many things that separates Buffett from other classic- rock superstars is that he seemingly doesn’t do anything begrudgingly on the stage. He’s a true showman, and a grateful one at that, and he always comes across as downright honored to give the fans what they came to hear. Sure, he’s played “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” and “Volcano” a zillion times before — but his enthusiasm for those songs, as well as the other greatest hits offered up, was undeniable at Shoreline.

That enthusiasm is shared by the Coral Reefer Band, an outstanding 12-piece ensemble that seems to get better with every tour. Out of this group of sensational players, backing vocalist Nadirah Shakoor really seemed to shine at Shoreline.

Fans might be hearing more about this versatile singer, who came to fame in the Grammy-nominated hip-hop group Arrested Development. She’s just released a solo record, “Nod to the Storyteller,” which includes her take on seven Buffett tracks.

Shakoor was central to the mix as Buffett hit the homestretch, powering through enjoyable versions of “Southern Cross,” “Margaritaville” and “Fins.” It was enough to leave the dudes wearing shark fins on their heads, and the guys with cheeseburger hats, crying out for more.

Reach Jim Harrington at jharrington@bayareanewsgroup.com. Read his Concert Blog at www.ibabuzz.com/concerts.

Jim Harrington