Pretty soon the monsoon come

Jimmy Buffett Concert Review
Nashville Tennesee

In the middle of the biggest floods that Nashville has experienced it was a poignant occasion, literally in the eye of the storm, when Jimmy Buffet gave the 4th concert of his "Big Top" tour, held on the evening of 1 May 2010. As Jimmy remarked: I'll give you more comfort than your insurance company will!". The devastation in the region has been incredible and as I type this we are stuck in our hotel because all the surrounding streets are flooded and it is unlikely the rain will subside until tomorrow morning. Ten people have been killed (mainly as a result of testing the water over roadways and being trapped in their cars), tornados are threatening and all rivers and tributries are at record levels or have overflowed their banks. Most of the interstate freeways have been cut off.

Against this dramatic backdrop, some 18,000 parrot-heads descended on and took over downtown Nashville with the usual collection of colourful shirts, laes, stuffed parrots, rubber sharks et al. on parade in the many over-full rib joints and country music bars and all the fans in good spirits. Getting a meal was reminiscent of trying to get a beer in the inevitableIrish pub adjoining a football ground hosting a Bledisloe Cup or Lions Tour.

The venue was huge and we were fortunate to have relatively close seats on the raised side but not in the mosh pit. I have never been to a concert where everyone stood up from the first song and didn't sit down until the end. Not sure why we paid for seats. The Mayor of Nashville opened the show with some warnings about the flooding and road closures.

Finally the great man appeared to a huge roar and launched into a 2 and a half hour show in front of the noisiest and most animated crowd I have ever seen, from the mosh pit to the upper seats. Tennesee loves its music and Jimmy is a favorite adopted son.

Jimmy was in great voice and sang all of his great songs including Come Monday, Margaritaville, Fins, One Particular Harbor, If the Phone doesn't ring, Changes in Latitude, Son-of-a son, A Pirate Looks at 40.... it just kept coming. After a thunderous encore he finished off with a solo of He Went to Paris. Mr Rutley and the Coral Reefers provided great musical backing with the steel drums to the fore. The crowd sang along with every song and added the "Salt, Salt, Salt" links with gusto in Margaritaville.

The really satisfying thing about the concert was that Jimmy Buffett performed with a permanent smile on his face which was genuine and enthusiastic. He told the crowd he still can't believe that so many of his fans still turn up to his concerts and make it such a fun event.

When he concluded with the lyric: some its magic, some of its tragic, but it's been a good life all in all we couldn't help wondering how long this legend will continue to tour. But while he does, make sure you don't miss him.

Well, back to the adult only entertainment in our hotel room. Only joking, I'm with my wife.

Ash