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Buffett stages ultimate summer party

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, N.Y., August 21, 2014

Reviewed by Kelly Salonica

Beyond the T-Shirt concessions, empanada food trucks and ice-cold water mongers was the entrance to the ultimate outdoor summertime concert/party at Jones Beach, a Jimmy Buffett show.

Blowing conch shells trumpeted a welcome, and a barefoot Buffett clad in a pink T-shirt and light blue shorts, kicked off the evening (and a couple of beach balls) with Eddie Cochran hit "Summertime Blues" in an effort to "hold onto summer as long as we can." Longtime Buffett classics like "Boat Drinks," "Cheeseburger In Paradise" and "Volcano" where expected crowd favorites, but his lesser known "My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, And I Don't Love Jesus," "I Will Play For Gumbo," and "Last Mango In Paris" added to the fun, even if they lack that iconic magic of the songs that made him a legend.

Band member Mac McAnally's instrumental rendition of Allman Brothers' tune "Little Martha" effortlessly displayed McAnally's guitar genius that earned him six consecutive CMA Musician of the Year awards. Timeless Buffett favs like "A Pirate Looks At Forty," Crowded House's "Weather With You," Crosby, Stills and Nash's "Southern Cross," Zac Brown Band's "Knee Deep" (featuring Buffett) and "One Particular Harbour" were the meat-and-potatoes of the show, but "Fins" remains the quintessential workout as everyone put on their shark-fin hats and made like a great white. Mega Buffett hit "Margaritaville" closed the set.

McAnally joined Buffett for an encore of "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere," during which Buffett donned a Viking hat that put him in a romantic mood for "Why Don't We Get Drunk," after which he commented "A Viking hat and a grass skirt...what are we going to do about that?" Buffett answered his own question with "We Are The People Our Parents Warned Us About." Buffett finished with "Lovely Cruise," saying "This one's for you Long Island. I'll see you on the water. One more show to go, and I'll be on vacation."

There's a joy that comes with being barefoot, as Buffett proves, radiating good-time vibes by living the songs that brought him fame...or is it just the saltwater in his veins?



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