The Honolulu Star Bulletin has an interview with Jimmy Buffett in which he talks about his new song “A Lot to Drink About”, his upcoming acoustic album, and ukulele performer Jake Shimabukuro.
“The new song was easy to write — I mean, just look around!” he said with a laugh. “All you have to do is open the newspaper. And it’s a work-in-progress. After Michael Phelps was kicked off the Kellogg’s Corn Flakes box, I’m thinking of adding another verse about that in the song. All he did was smoke a little reefer!
As for recordings, Buffett is planning to release a live acoustic album later this year comprising encores recorded during his most recent tour.
“I know my fan base, Parrotheads who want to add to their collection. Thanks to them I’ve been surviving this long. The idea was, during every show last year, I looked through my catalog and went through the process of picking songs that would sound kind of unique in an acoustic setting. They were the kind of songs that would fit in an encore, where there is a mellowness about them. The audience has already been through a show with a high energy level, so it would be good to let them down gently.”
Out of the 28 songs recorded, Buffett feels he’s put together an interesting selection of originals and covers, “particularly ballads, where I use that little bit of opportunity to do songs that I really like.”