Jimmy Buffett still has his license, even after all those margaritas. The singer released his first album in 1970, when he was twenty-four. He's now fifty-eight, and is on his umpteenth album. We got a collection of his hits a couple years ago and a smattering of live albums. He takes a different approach; something he's always wanted to do--release a country album. Well, Jimmy B. called in pretty much every favor in Nashville and got some pretty noteworthy names to help him out.

License To Chill is rife with guests. More than some rap albums. And I believe it was madtheory who said something to the effect of "the more guests you see in the track list, the more guaranteed poo the album is" (sorry I don't have that quoted verbatim, Mad). However, this statement (which I was tempted to apply at first) isn't entirely true with Jimmy Buffett's new album. Over sixteen tracks, he has eight guests, five of which appear on more than one track. Don't worry, you'll get a nice breakdown.

Hey Good Lookin' leads off the album. With guests Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, and George Strait, it's got an interesting sound to it. Although one begins to wonder if Buffett rented half of Nashville for this album. Combining a down-home feel with country's acoustic guitars and Buffett's steel drums, this is a quirky one. Each guest brings something to the song; they all sing a verse or two, with Buffett chiming in where appropriate. It's an eye-opening look at Jimmy's attempt at country. Although he's obviously overmatched by these modern country music greats, he does make an admirable stab at it. The second track is Boats To Build, featuring Alan Jackson. In this, the chorus sounds very good, but a little forced. Jackson's voice is a little deep, which takes away from Buffett's vocals (meaning, he gets drowned out). The Caribbean sound shows up in the gaps between verses, which gives the song credibility as a Jimmy Buffett song.

Honky-tonk drumming and acoustic riffs get the title track, License To Chill, moving. Featuring Kenny Chesney, this feels a lot like other songs he's done, more than Buffett's work. It's a cool song that pokes fun at the mores of society and of course the "rat race" of life. More country than Key West, this song is probably a single-worthy one. It does seem like Chesney overpowers Buffett here. The addition of key piano elements in spots makes the track nice and smooth. Jimmy Buffett's main influence is his spoken rhymes, which are incredibly corny.

Head on down to Margaritaville
Have me a cheeseburger with a big pickle dill
Jesus, I sound mentally ill
I guess I better go turn on Dr. Phil...

Coast of Carolina is a nice attempt at country music by Buffett (no guests). He keeps it real, however, with his superb backing instruments that pretty much define his work. You hear Jimmy singing like a country star, but lilting pianos, plucking guitars, and slow, rhythmic drumming really give this song a style all its own. Piece Of Work is a duet with Toby Keith. Together, they give off that real deep South country-music feel. The verses and chorus are incredibly catchy; you can't not like this song. I found myself tapping my foot the entire way through (even after the 10th+ time) while writing the review. Each vocalist lends their own strengths to the track, making it easily one of the best on the CD.

Jimmy Buffett is solo on Anything Anytime Anywhere. Not that that's a bad thing. The song is a little on the boring side, however. It's a slow, uninspiring ballad. In fact, Buffett's duet with Martina McBride on the following track is far better. This is a sleepy song with nothing to really set it apart; the lyrics are dull, Buffett's voice is consistent, but his instruments behind him don't emphasize anything enough. It's bland, plain and simple. Speaking of the duet with Martina McBride, it's called Trip Around The Sun. More up-tempo, it has great acoustic guitar work mixed with the piano. McBride's voice matches excellently with Jimmy Buffett's. She imparts a definite country groove that isn't displayed by the female country music stars today on mainstream radio. They don't go for pop here.

At only two minutes and fifteen second, Simply Complicated is the shortest track on the CD. It's also one of the greatest. With a bouncing beat, Buffett's cynical lyrics can't help but make you laugh. Buffett makes note of his genre-spanning music ("Am I country, pop or rock and roll?") here as well. It's a fun song that is about as Margaritaville that you'll get on License To Chill.

When you find out things about yourself that you hadn't talked to know
When your grandma calls and books you on the Jerry Springer Show
And you find out you and your wife of ten years just might be related
Brother, life's not over, it's just simply complicated
There's other situations that might challenge you right yes
When your daughter tries out for the football team, and your son tries on her dress
And you start to think that the devil's in charge of how you're situated
Life is still worth living, it's just simply complicated...

Following the shortest track on the CD is the longest. Coastal Confessions is another Buffett solo song. It's pushed along by vocals, although the instruments try their best; it's just not enough. With clever but not necessarily original lyrics, this song is a mixed bag. George Strait guests on Sea of Heartbreak. With a soft acoustic drive, this is everything that Anything Anytime Anywhere isn't. I'm not a big fan of country music, but if I had to pick the best voice, I'd say George Strait. He adds a lot of depth to the song without wrestling control from Jimmy Buffett.

A rollicking good time can be had on Conky Tonkin'. With guest star Clint Black, this is essentially a where's-where of South Florida (an area I know well--I live there). With quite a few references, this track boasts great lyrics, a fun sound, and that typical Jimmy Buffett flair and braggadocio. Clint Black's guest vocals are simply amazing; I'd say this is the best guest singing on License To Chill. Playing The Loser Again, featuring Bill Withers is a slower song. It's filler, and offers nothing new to the album.

Window On The World has your basic country music drum work. It's also one of Buffett's better country songs. He doesn't have five hundred guests to cloud his voice, which in my mind is excellent by itself, and he combines the instruments with a Nashville twang to his vocals. Someone I Used To Love is a ballad. It's almost impossible to tell that Jimmy Buffett is actually doing vocals here. He really plays up the accent, almost throwing his voice. Nanci Griffith, who guests here, is good, but doesn't lend much other than a female voice to the song.

A real Caribbean sound prevails on Scarlet Begonias. Guitars, drums, and Buffett's catchy lyrics combine together to make it a cheesy yet fun experience. It'll probably also have a few listeners scrambling to find out just what the hell a begonia is. If you think vintage Jimmy Buffett that almost everyone knows (Margaritaville, Volcano, Last Mango In Paris, etc.), that's how most of the song plays out. He leans a little more country in the middle of the song, but keeps the refreshing island sound. Closing out the album is Back To The Island. A fitting farewell to the listeners of this album, it's got a regretful and forlorn tone. It sounds like Buffett is almost sorry for having to end the album. The steel drums are more obvious in this song, which is good, with the island theme.

When I first saw the list of guests, I didn't want to like it. I am by far NOT a country music fan. But Jimmy Buffett has always been a favorite of mine, so I figured I would give it a shot. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Except in minor places, the album doesn't sound dull/boring/hackneyed/however you want to put it. He has managed to capture many different styles of country with many different artists and keep his same nuance-filled music that has made him a perennial favorite for years.

Jimmy B. made a believer out of me. He really can do anything, apparently. As far as recommendations go, I will recommend this to most of you. If you like Jimmy Buffett, get the album. If you like country music, get the album (and keep an open mind). If you don't like country music nor Jimmy Buffett, well, that's your problem. Brilliant showing by the 58-year old singer.

Track Ratings:
Hey Good Lookin' (ft. C. Black, K. Chesney, A. Jackson, T. Keith, and G. Strait) |4/5|
Boats To Build (ft. Alan Jackson) |4/5|
License To Chill (ft. Kenny Chesney) |5/5|
Coast of Carolina |4/5|
Piece of Work (ft. Toby Keith) |5/5|
Anything Anytime Anywhere |2/5|
Trip Around The Sun (ft. Martina McBride) |5/5|
Simply Complicated: |5/5|
Coastal Confessions |3/5|
Sea of Heartbreak (ft. George Strait) |4/5|
Conky Tonkin' (ft. Clint Black) |5/5|
Playin' With The Loser Again (ft. Bill Withers) |3/5|
Window On The World |4/5|
Someone I Used To Love (ft. Nanci Griffith) |3/5|
Scarlet Begonias |5/5|
Back To The Island |4/5|

Overall Rating: 65/80, which is 4.06, which rounds to 4 stars

This review is © T. Pascarella, 2004. All rights reserved.

All mistakes are mine and only mine. Corrections/suggestions/comments/questions are welcome and appreciated.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving