The Buffet Rant and what it means. - Tiki Music

T Thomas Member Lake Mojave Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 372	T Thomas Posted posted on Fri, Dec 16, 2005 4:11 PM On 2005-12-16 14:42, vegasvic wrote: Wow, some threads never die. I've always found this one interesting in a social-experiment, human-observation kinda way. Very well put! I also think it creates an opportunity to show wisdom and restraint by not joining in the fray. But since I've never been accused of having either, I'll share a few thoughts. I think I must have been in a cave through the '80s and '90s, because when I recently made an effort to delve into Buffett's 35+ year body of work, I did so without any idea that he was associated with the sorts of objectionable social "scenes" that keep getting mentioned here in relation to him (the classic one being a sort of archetypal crew of "drunken frat boys" who ruin tiki bars by demanding to hear "Cheeseburger in Paradise" then puking on the floor (have I got that right?)). So, I brought his music into my own "scene," so to speak, winnowing out what I regarded as the less substantial, "party" material, and finding that I liked much of what was left over. Countless songs evoking travel, adventure, and optimism. Respectful lyrical interweavings with the legacies of adventurers, storytellers, and entertainers of years gone by, from Mark Twain to Carmen Miranda. "Love songs" written to places -- cities, seas, cultural spheres. And generally these are the sorts of places that attract me (and I dare say, most of you): New Orleans; Brazil; the Caribbean islands; Tahiti; etc. Let others sing and write of alpine mountains; I get cold in such places. I've got a feeling some here on Tikicentral can relate to me on this, am I right? I'm just glad I went ahead and investigated the material and made up my own mind, rather than being dissuaded by the spiteful comments of others. It so happens my overall assessment is positive, but I would feel this way even if it were negative. I would like to recommend the same approach to anyone who is wondering what all the fuss is about. There are many ways to do this on the cheap. I used an old-fashioned one: the library system. So, if you still dislike Jimmy Buffett, you'll be able to say something intelligent like, "I prefer jazz" or "I'm not into the 'singer-songwriter' thing" or even just "I don't like his voice," instead of just reciting hateful caricatures of other people whose tastes differ from yours.

On 2005-12-16 14:42, vegasvic wrote:
Wow, some threads never die. I've always found this one interesting in a social-experiment, human-observation kinda way.

Very well put! I also think it creates an opportunity to show wisdom and restraint by not joining in the fray. But since I've never been accused of having either, I'll share a few thoughts.

I think I must have been in a cave through the '80s and '90s, because when I recently made an effort to delve into Buffett's 35+ year body of work, I did so without any idea that he was associated with the sorts of objectionable social "scenes" that keep getting mentioned here in relation to him (the classic one being a sort of archetypal crew of "drunken frat boys" who ruin tiki bars by demanding to hear "Cheeseburger in Paradise" then puking on the floor (have I got that right?)).

So, I brought his music into my own "scene," so to speak, winnowing out what I regarded as the less substantial, "party" material, and finding that I liked much of what was left over. Countless songs evoking travel, adventure, and optimism. Respectful lyrical interweavings with the legacies of adventurers, storytellers, and entertainers of years gone by, from Mark Twain to Carmen Miranda. "Love songs" written to places -- cities, seas, cultural spheres. And generally these are the sorts of places that attract me (and I dare say, most of you): New Orleans; Brazil; the Caribbean islands; Tahiti; etc. Let others sing and write of alpine mountains; I get cold in such places. I've got a feeling some here on Tikicentral can relate to me on this, am I right?

I'm just glad I went ahead and investigated the material and made up my own mind, rather than being dissuaded by the spiteful comments of others. It so happens my overall assessment is positive, but I would feel this way even if it were negative. I would like to recommend the same approach to anyone who is wondering what all the fuss is about. There are many ways to do this on the cheap. I used an old-fashioned one: the library system. So, if you still dislike Jimmy Buffett, you'll be able to say something intelligent like, "I prefer jazz" or "I'm not into the 'singer-songwriter' thing" or even just "I don't like his voice," instead of just reciting hateful caricatures of other people whose tastes differ from yours.

Post #203457 by Thomas on Fri, Dec 16, 2005 4:11 PM