Louisiana Parrot Heads Rejoice, Jimmy Buffett is Back

People in Louisiana will believe a lot of things. All you have to do is go fishing with someone in the Atchafalaya Basin or listen to an LSU fan describe the Tigers' defense and you'll see, we can come up with some whoppers.

Now, from that headline, you might be thinking did this guy just say Jimmy Buffett was coming back from the dead? Nah, as much as we wish that could happen it isn't going to but many of his classic albums are set for re-release this summer. And it will be as if Jimmy is on the boat with us one more time.

It's Jimmy Buffett The Way We Remembered Him

Universal Musci Enterprises has announced that "a slew" of Jimmy Buffett albums have been slated for re-release on vinyl this summer. If you don't know the significance of vinyl when it comes to listening to music, you probably aren't a passionate Parrot Head then are you?

Many of the classic Buffett albums set for release haven't been available on vinyl for more than four decades. Some of us still have the originals but if you didn't spend part of your parents' money that should have been spent on tuition on Buffett records you can now get them in their "meant to be heard" form.

Release Dates Announced For Jimmy Buffett on Vinyl

On June 7th Jimmy's 1974 album "Living and Dying in 3/4 Time" will be offered on vinyl. The album was Buffett's fourth album release and it featured his first Top 40 hit, Come Monday. However, I will say my personal favorite on the record is The Wino and I Know, it's a New Orleans, Gulf Coast thing. Listen and you'll understand about the "milkshake in motion".

"One Particular Harbour" will be released on that date as well. This record from 1983 featured the Parrot Head faves Stars on the Water and We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About.

Also on June 7th Buffett fans will be able to purchase "Fruitcakes". The 1994 release was the first Buffett album to crack Billboard's Top 5. That release features a Patsy Cline song and a cover of a Grateful Dead tune too. Whatever you do, don't pass over the track Frenchman for the Night, it will hit a lot of Louisiana right in the feels.

July Will Bring More Buffett on Vinyl Releases

On July 12th the classic "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean" will be released on vinyl. That album originally came out in 1973 and features He Went to Paris, Grapefruit Juicy Fruit, and the I-think-it-actually-happened in Hattiesburg, Mississippi "Great Filling Station Holdup". Oh, and there is the iconic "Why Don't We Get Drunk". We used to call that song the Official Mississippi Mating Call.

Also out on July 12 will be "Havana Daydreamin' " from 1976 featuring the morning-after anthem for every Parrot Head "My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Don't Love Jesus".It's what happens when you find your lost shaker of salt and have one too many margaritas I suppose.

You'll also be able to purchase Banana Wind from 1996. This album reached number four on the Billboard Charts and featured the song Jamaica Mistaica. A musical account of how Buffett and Bono from the band U2 were almost shot down by Jamaican authorities while flying into Negril to get some jerk chicken.

August 16 Will Bring the Release of Even More Buffet Albums on Vinyl

From 1977 this is the one that put Jimmy on the map with mainstream music lovers. On August 16th you'll be able to purchase "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes". Margaritaville is all you need to know about that album but the big hit might be one of the weaker songs on the record. This is the album that gave birth to the empire.

"Son of a Son of a Sailor" comes out on August 16th too. That record from 1978 really brought the Parrot Head lifestyle into vogue. Who doesn't want to sing about a Cheeseburger in Paradise? You just might shed a tear or two on the Coast of Marseilles and please, don't say Manana if you don't mean it. What a great record.

Other albums out on vinyl by Buffett that day include Volcano which featured the hit Fins from 1979 and Barometer Soup which came out in 1995. Jimmy had success on the singles chart with a cover of the James Taylor tune Mexico from that album. It went to number six on the Billboard charts.

Preorders Are Available Now

For the June releases if you'd like to secure your copy or copies. Jimmy's final studio album "Equal Strain of All Parts" was released after his death on September 1, 2023.

Sure you can hear all of these songs online in crystal clear digital sound but to really appreciate Jimmy Buffett you need the pops, noise, and anomalies that only music pressed on vinyl can bring. Now, if I can just find my turntable.