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Jimmy
Buffett at Irvine Meadows/Verizon Wireless!
Photos
From Sept. 29, 2007 and Previous Years
The PubClub Party Bus crew pflocked to the show in '07.
Ever wonder where to find Margaritaville? It's in the parking lof of
a Buffett show.
–
More Buffett @ these links –
• Anaheim
2004
• Las
Vegas
•
Honolulu,
Hawaii
• Concert
Party Guide
• Concert
photos (includes Parrotheads PreParty)
• Jimmy
at Jazz Fest 2002
• Front
Row at Irvine Meadows
• First-person
reviews from" The Bartender"
Parrotheads were out in full force Thursday and Saturday at Irvine
Meadows.
A thought struck us Thursday night. Somewhere between
"Fins" and an incredible Hawaiian island-style version of
"Boat Drinks," surrounded by boat drinks and 20,00 people
dressed in grass skirts, straw hats and leis, we paused for a second
and wondered: "Who could not just love this!?"
We know some people just don't get it.
"I don't like Jimmy Buffett."
"I don't really know Jimmy Buffett."
"He's got a couple of good songs, but I really don't
listen to him that much."
 Well,
listen now. And get your fanny to a Buffett show.
Why anyone, given the choice, would rather be anywhere
than a Bufett concert is inconceivable to us. It just doesn't register.
That's because Jimmy Buffett concerts are one of the most
enjoyable things on this planet. It's carefree, harmless fun, one of
the World's Great Parties.
And the atmosphere just begs – no, invites
– alcohol consumption.
One cannot possibly walk thru "motorhome row"
at Irvine Meadows, amid portable tiki bars, blenders powered by motorcycle
engines and girls being enticed to pull up their tops (and gladly cooperating)
without a margarita, rum drink or cold draft beer.
Er, make that MANY margaritas, rum drinks and/or cold
draft beers.
It was so good to be back at Irvine. The venue itself
is a somewhat of pain – there are inadequate facilities, access
points are so limited that people are squeezed like limes in a blender
and the security checkpoint is more rigorous than LAX. But the parking
lot is like none other, large beers are only $10 and, well, it has Jimmy.
PubClub.com organized our annual Party Bus from Manhattan
Beach. We started with pitchers of margaritas at our host bar, Sharkeez.
A couple of us lucked up and scored tickets in the front of the orchestra
pit, a real treat since we were on the very front row last year. The
tickets came with a big bonus – free beer from the nearby Corona
tent!
The show, which changed only slightly throughout the tour,
featured many tunes from "Far Side of the World." If you sit
at home and listen to that new CD it's not all that riveting. But live
on stage, the songs spring to life, giving you the sudden thought to
throw it in the player the instant you get home. He and the Coral Reefers
also played "Hot, Hot, Hot," the aforementioned incredible
version of "Boat Drinks," "Let's Get Drunk," "Everyone's
Got A Cousin in Miami" and the usual standards. The weather was
both here and beautiful (another song he played). The show lasted for
more than two hours. This included intermission with for many was perfect
timing for a bathroom break.
A local newspaper review from Thursday said some of the
concert standards sounded "tired." Yeah, right! These supposed
music critics always focus too much on the sounds on stage when they
write about Buffett. They never seem to get it. As any Parrothead knows,
it's not the quality of the music that makes these shows, but the environment
they create. All one has to do is walk through the parking lot pre-party
or see the joy on people's faces when Jimmy is on stage to realize this
fact. It would also be beneficial for them to note how much Jimmy and
the Coral Reefers are smiling, too.
 We
firmly believe there would be no violence in the world, no terrorism
or none of these horrible shootings if everyone would just listen to
Jimmy Buffett music all the time. It's hard to be angry when you are
dancing to "Margaritaville" with a drink in hand.
Despite all the pleasures of a Buffett concert, we do
offer some suggestions. The security guards should get rid of those
yellow jackets and instead wear Aloha shirts and leis.They should also
be briefed that Parrotheads do not rush the stage and create fights,
so loosen up a bit and let us dance in the aisles.
They should also ease up on the use of still cameras.
Then again, we should be allowed to bring in all the booze
we can carry and all be invited back to Jimmy's post-concert party.
Hey, we're just happy to be here.
Jimmy Buffett forever!
Irivne Meadows '07 – Phins UP!
Babes enjoy Buffett.
One of the many portable tiki bars – he's calling the liquor store
for more tequila.
Yes, this trick worked. Then again, so did "hello."
Yet another tiki bar – blenders and boat drinks!
The Bartender (right) with Parrothead friends Hawaii Larry (left) and
Island Gary.
 Buffett
Concert Photo Album
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