Wasted Away Again...

Last night Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band played to a sold-out crowd at Philips Arena and I am delighted to confirm that yes, I was in attendance! Cheryl invited me to go with her - and a serious Parrothead shout-out to Ellen, who gave us the tickets. I'm sorry she couldn't have been there too. It had been too long since I'd seen a live Buffett show. I used to try to catch Jimmy every time he came to town but the last few years I have gotten out of the habit (various uninteresting reasons, nothing to do with his music or showmanship). I even remember seeing him when he played Chastain Park, which was so long ago I had to go with my parents. That is, I've gone to several Buffett shows with my parents, by choice, but I think the Chastain show was long enough ago that I couldn't drive...

Anyway, Jimmy and the Coral Reefers put on a great show as usual, with the requisite standards like "A Pirate Looks at 40", "Son of a Son of a Sailor", "Volcano", "Fins", "One Particular Harbor" and "Margaritaville", along with some stuff off of the latest album and a few covers, my beloved "Southern Cross" and the now requisite "Brown-Eyed Girl" among them.

It was one of the more subdued Buffett shows I've seen, maybe because it was indoors. A certain friend of mine is such a Buffett purist that he will only go to outdoor shows (yes, Phil, I mean you) but honestly I was just as happy indoors. I hate sitting on the lawn at Coca-Cola/Hi-Fi Buys/Commercial Name of the Moment/Lakewood Amphitheatre. I have allergies and the grass makes me sneeze, I can't get comfortable, other people are too close around me and sooner or later, someone spills booze on me. So usually, I don't go unless I'm fortunate enough to get one of the up-close-and-covered seats, which is one reason I haven't been to a Buffett show in a while. Being inside did detract from the beach/island atmosphere a little, but I was willing to trade atmosphere for comfort.

Cheryl had to get stern with this drunk guy who came barreling through the crowd going, "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me" - only problem was, he was barreling through the crowd in line inside the ladies' room. She stopped him and pointed out that he was in the wrong restroom, causing him to look about and repeat, "Oh. Oh." in confusion. I missed all this, having remained in my seat, but I got to watch her toss water on him later on. It was a good time.

Got home late, showered and went to bed. Morning came too early and today's change in the weather means I've been fighting a losing battle with my sinuses (drainage and horrible headache) but even that's not enough to get me down after a Buffett concert! I'll conclude with the lyrics of one of my favorite JB&CRB tunes, which he didn't do last night but it's still one of the best - beautiful song, "Distantly In Love".

Pay phones all were ringing as the crowd went roarin' by
Lovely dancers swaying to an island lullaby
Beside the southern ocean taking stock of what's to be
Writing you this letter that you'll probably never see

But I can't help but be
Ruled by inconsistency
Not unique just distantly in love

Tried to phone from Paris thinking things could be arranged
Me and you could rendezvous, but I found your number changed
So I drove to San Remo where the crazy painter dwells
And toasted our old photographs still up there on his shelf

But I can't help but be
Ruled by my antiquity
Not unique just distantly in love

I can't be the one to fill your times and all your places
I can't be the one to fill your blanks and empty spaces

I heard it from a friend of ours I saw in Timber Bay
That you had a new lover who had stolen you away
That could be be the reason that I never got in touch
And may present slight problems if he loves you half as much

As I who can't help but be
Ruled by my antiquity
Not unique just distantly in love
You know I can't help but be
Part of my own philosophy
Not unique just distantly in love.