Jimmy Buffett's First Album

When you hear the name Jimmy Buffett, you probably think of the upbeat, carefree songs for which he's famous. These will certainly put a smile on your face and they include songs like "Margaritaville" and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitude." These songs are famous but Jimmy Buffett's first album had a completely different style than what his later music reflected in these songs.

If you listen closely to the lyrics, you'll discover that most of Buffett's songs tell some kind of story. It could be about having fun, relaxing in the sun, revolve around some adventure or it could be a story about love. Whatever the case may be, there is usually a story in there somewhere.

Jimmy Buffett started writing and performing songs in the late 1960s from his home in Nashville Tennessee where he sang country songs. In 1970, he recorded his first full album "Down To Earth". Travis Turk produced this album and it was backed by the Barnaby Record label.

Jimmy Buffett's first album had a total of 11 songs that consisted of the following titles:

Side A- The Christian, Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free), The Missionary, A Mile High In Denver, The Captain and the Kid

Side B- Captain America, Ain't He a Genius, Turnabout, There's Nothin' Soft about Hard Times, I Can't be Your Hero Today, Truck Stop Salvation

These songs capture a side of Buffett before his change in style got the attention of all types of music lovers. Jimmy Buffett's first album has him playing the acoustic guitar and features more serious lyrics than his later works. His music has a more somber tone as he sang about social awareness and life.

Since this was the very first album he recorded and because it reflects a different side of Buffett, "Down to Earth" can be considered a rare collector's item. This is not something that you'll usually find in your best friend's music collection. There are many Buffett fans that don't know he recorded this and one other album called "High Cumberland Jubilee", before he became famous for his remote humor and carefree attitude portrayed in his later albums.

If you've never heard any of the songs recorded on his first album, you're missing out. Even if you're not a huge Buffett fan, you're sure to find them interesting. Jimmy Buffett's first album did reflect his passion for music and it helped to jumpstart his career, making him the well-known and loved artist he is today.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Benefits Audiophiles Receive By Promoting Album Restoration Projects

Are you a true audiophile who wants to keep this type of music around for many generations to come? If you answered "yes", then you need to know about the benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects. These projects do more than just restore old records although, they do make having access to some of the best music ever heard a lot easier. That's just a small part of the benefits they offer.

One of the great things about promoting these projects is that you have the unique pleasure of rekindling old memories. Do you remember what it was like when you used to sit around with the one you loved listening to albums on the stereo? It was a unique feeling that you can't get with anything else and words just don't seem to describe the way it made you feel. Rekindling that feeling and bringing back those precious memories is one of the greatest benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects.

When you appreciate great music, what better way is there to show your support to the music industry than to promote these projects. Every donation that you make will help restore music that would die out if not for projects such as these. In a way, you're helping to preserve a piece of history. On top of that, you'll be helping young people hear music the way it was meant to be heard in analog form.

When it comes to the benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects, you can't overlook the fact that you'll be helping the younger generations to create their own wonderful memories like the ones you had the privilege of making when you were young. Think about how your life might have been different if you'd missed out on listening to records when you were growing up.

It's important in the fast-paced society we live in today to hold on to a bit of the past and enjoy the simpler things in life like lounging around listening to your favorite Johnny Cash or Jimmy Buffett album. This is another benefit you'll receive when you promote these projects. In addition, you'll be one of these first to receive the newly restored albums and usually at a huge discount.

Take advantage of the benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects by supporting them every chance you get. You'll be glad you did when you have the pleasure of listening to the beautiful music that you helped to bring back to life.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Arctic Monkeys Album Review: Suck It and See

Since bursting onto the British music scene in 2005 with "Whatever People Say I Am..." the Arctic Monkeys have enjoyed a rollercoaster of success. Following up their critically acclaimed debut with "Favourite Worst Nightmare", the new face of an entire generation somehow managed to bottle up the same energy, pounding drumbeats and lyrical genius to create a worthy successor to the first album, equally as accomplished. Fast forward two years later and we see "Humbug", a desert vibed epic that rang with the inspiration offered by working with Josh Homme. It did not share the same accomplishments of its predecessors however and quickly split opinion, taking both the band and its loyal fan base out of their comfort zones.

However, if third albums were notoriously difficult, than the fourth must be something else entirely and expectations are high for a 'return to form' by the band. So has it delivered? Well quite simply put, they've truly 'returned'. While managing to sound nothing like "Humbug" they haven't simply rolled over like many fans were asking for and instead headed in a new direction, backed up by Turners fantastic lyrics. First we see Brick by Brick, a misleading album taster if ever there was one. Full of "rock and roll", it's a departure from the Monkeys we know but still retains a level of fun, breathless sweaty fun at that and a sure-fire winner when played live. Moving on we get Don't Sit Down I've Moved Your Chair which really allows Turner to show off his skilful control over the English language, with metaphors and laugh out loud moments aplenty, offering a better taste of what to expect from the album and a brilliant second single.

What follows from then on is a beautifully crafted piece of work based mainly around one prevailing theme. Love is a Lasercraft, Suck it and See and Piledriver Waltz all offer Turner's unique take on love and lines such as "You're rarer than a can of dandelion and burdock, and those other girls are just post-mix lemonade" show a nostalgic naivety that fits so well after the self-discovery journey that was "Humbug", contrasted with tracks such as Library Pictures which echoes the Arctic Monkeys of old; complex, hypnotic drumbeats and fuzzy guitar riffs that are deliciously catchy.

Overall this new offering from the band show their unwavering dedication to their own purpose, taking their music in new directions while never bowing to pressure or the shouts of "Go back to the old stuff!" and still retaining the loveable charm and inspiration that lofted them to greatness in the first place. At its base, the Arctic Monkeys fourth album is an ever present answer to "Will I like it?" They think you should Suck it and See. I think they've never been better.

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James Taylor Album

Listening to James Taylor and his first album is like corking open a nice bottle of wine at the end of the day, or sitting in the cafe talking with a friend. The first two songs are well known in music culture. The album starts off with a nice guitar phrase and then right away he is talking to you about 'he woke up this morning'... "I've seen Fire and I've seen rain" These are classic words; a beautiful description of what we all feel - the good days with the bad. It is the sort of thing that we talk about to our friends and the kind of thing that runs through our mind through the day. A signature guitar style, a "James Taylor guitar style" makes the whole experience simply refreshing for the listener who has been filled with the more modern and more aggressive stye acoustics.

His voice weaves in and out melodically. I wonder if he anticipated, when he first sat down at the piano so many years ago how much of a cornerstone in American music these songs would become. My guess is no. He just just had the pure joy of writing a great song. His next song is " You've got a friend " vividly described as 'winter spring or fall, all you got to do is call'. Wonderful minor chords and walking down guitar phrases. All the while he is having a conversation with you like it is a nice Saturday or you are out in the park reminiscing. Again, this song resonates in our hearts, expressing something that we can all relate to with vivid lyrics.

The third song, again another cornerstone. As a kid I remember hearing this on the radio all the time. This is a more upbeat song with an electric guitar and piano, his voice just bouncing off the notes in happiness. Great third song to follow. Wonderful electric guitar and horns to break the pace a little bit.

Listening to the whole album is again, like a walk in the park, a great conversation with a friend in the cafe. A nice Saturday afternoon after a hard week. Very relaxing, very skilled musicianship, a wonderful spirit, an extremely articulate vocalist. Lots of space and wonderful sense of pace, just really taking time with the theme at hand or the story. More recently he has been singing with Carole King and I cannot wait to explore these songs.

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Thoughts On The Professor Green Album

From rap battle king to pop sensation Professor Green has surprised many with his recent release. Filled with social commentary, witty lines, epic beats and brutal honestly the Professor Green Album - Alive Till I'm Dead definitely ranks highly with some of the UK's best.

Professor Green started off in the London battle scene at nights such as Jump Off, making a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with engaging in many legendary battles, most notably with Stig Of The Dump. Subsequently he caught the eye of a certain Mike Skinner of The Streets and got signed to his label The Beats. This was however cut short When the label folded. Then, in 2009 a potentially fatal attack with a bottle in a London nightclub, left Professor Green with a gruesome scar just above the Lucky tattoo on his neck. Ironically it was shortly after this that Professor Green began making serious moves in the music scene with his album Alive Till I'm Dead.

Aside from the obvious big single tracks such as Be Good To Green (feat Lilly Allen) and the INXS-sampling I Need You Tonight, which are clearly aimed at the mass market, the bulk of Alive Till I'm Dead is surprisingly rich in lyrical content and music dynamics. In City Of Gold the Professor paint a gritty and sobering picture of life in London. 'An it moves fast in a city full of bright lights and tight dresses Medusa's that'll seduce ya if ya ain't ready' this is complemented by moody production and heavy drums.

However in my opinion the most hard hitting and heart felt track on the Professor Green album is 'Where Do We Go' in which he revels a story and painful memories of a past relationship 'I had a heart to love but both of my parents left me An I found it hard to trust, made it hard for us. We used to argue an fuss a lot always wondered when it was gunna stop' The melancholy vocals and rich chords reflect Green's lyrics perfectly. His talks about saying goodbye to a child they didn't get to see and it is clear that the lyrics are straight up honest and very personal.

With A list of features including Lily Allen, Labrinth, Example, The Streets and more you can be assured Alive Till I'm Dead is full of catchy choruses and a variety of sounds. A lot of the album is sample based, thus in a sense Professor Green has stuck to his hop roots but tailored it with a contemporary/commercial sound. His delivery is on point throughout and Green even experiments with more melodic/sung vocals at times which works surprisingly well.

All in all The Professor Green album - Alive Till I'm Dead is consistently good throughout, there are very few (if no) skipable tracks and it is very easy on the ear. Although certain tracks are clearly aimed more at the mass market, Green has managed maintained his integrity through his strong lyrical and personality. The rise of Professor Green and his UK Rap peers has certainly opened doors for other up and coming music artists.

If you like UK Rap, Grime etc you should check out Skilf and download his new mixtape 'Alter Egos' from his site. I highly recommend it, there's a really good mix of tracks on there and the rapping is on point.

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