To quote lyrics from one of my favorite Buffett songs, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, ‘if we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane’.

Though I stop short of calling myself a Parrot Head like the legions of fans all around me tonight, I’m a fan.  I’ve been enjoying Buffett’s brand of music for several decades.  I challenge anyone out there to hear the first few notes of Margaritaville without instantly feeling the chill.  There were a good numbers of these Hawaiian shirt and hula skirt wearing Parrot Heads tailgating in the parking lot when I arrived.  It appeared many were well on their way to chillin’ and ready for the night’s performance.

No opening act necessary, Jimmy took the stage barefooted in shorts and t-shirt with a great big smile on his face.  He clearly appreciated this enthusiastic crowd on this opening night of his Workin’ ‘n Playin’ Tour.  Along with the every present and excellent sound and video extravaganza the Woodlands Pavilion provides, we were in for a treat.

Four songs into the set in honor, Jimmy stated, of great Texas songwriters, he covered Rodney Crowell’s Stars on the Water.  By the way, for much of the night, we felt like we were on the water enjoying this concert.  The video effects on the big screen were amazing realistic!

Jimmy did favorite’s Son of a Son of a Sailor, Come Monday, and It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.  He then introduced a new song, a tribute to the name of his tour, Workin’ and Playin’.  I liked it and it seemed the crowd did as well.  Jimmy doesn’t deviate too much for the sound he made famous.  This is a good thing.  By song 12 we got the classic Margaritaville complete with the fan song along (Salt, Salt, Salt!).

I enjoyed his cover of If I Had a Boat, one of my favorite Lyle Lovett songs.  We got treated to Cheeseburger in Paradise, A Pirate Looks at Forty, and a very cool version of Crosby, Stills, & Nash’s Southern Cross.  Lots of good surprises tonight including a link to space!  Jimmy had a conversation with our NASA astronauts on the International Space Station.  He also chatted with the audience about the Rockets run at the finals and various other topics that were uniquely Houston.

The last song of the set was Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.  This was followed by a generous 3 song encore including Last Man Standing that Jimmy dedicated to the last B B King.

All in all, we’re just glad Jimmy has not had too many changes in attitude.  This was his 20th crowd pleasing visit to Houston.  If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it!  Well done Jimmy.

Until next time remember there’s no time to kill,
dwc