I actually started writing this when Jimmy Buffett passed away but got sidetracked with some other musical projects that had deadlines and this kinda took a back seat. Anyway, I had a few days to work on this. The writing was done way back, but the recording was just finished up last week.
Jimmy was a huge influence on me in the 70s and 80s around the time he did Son Of A Son Of A Sailor. There was so much good music on that album and the ones around it as well. One could see oneself laying on the deck of a boat making the midnight passage with the sound of good music on the speakers and the warm salt air blowing the sails just by listening to those songs.

This is my way of saying Thanks for the memories Jimmy! Smooth sailing and watch out for the customs man.

The band is:

Bass 2609
Drums Nashville evn 8
Guitar: 852
Acoustic 405
Harmonica 2857
Mandola 1&2 3149 & 3147
Marimba 3523
Steel Drums 3613


Some Caribbean Bay


Lyrics:

Some Caribbean Bay


When the sun goes down on the ocean
you see that southern cross low in the sky
the lights of Saint Croix nearby
Another midnight passage another destination
Just another port of call, on my permanent vacation

Theres places to go, people to meet,
where the rum is strong and the spices sweet
On a full moon tide, with a following sea


One more round of tequila, and I'll be on my way
We always knew the good times would have to end one day
Just one more song for the old days
On my old guitar I love to play
You'll find me hanging out in some Caribbean bay

Solo

All the guitar strummers and bare foot beach bummers
Listening to to that island sound
toes in the sand rum drinks in their hands
Some people don't want to be found.
While others just wanna stay lost
Avoid the customs man at any cost, just keep your fingers crossed

PC
Chorus

raise the anchor get under way
this is where the pirate sails away....But...

One more round of tequila, and I'll be on my way
Who ever said that the good times would have to end this way
Just one more song for the old days
On my old guitar I love to play
You'll find me hanging out in some Caribbean bay
You'll find me hanging out wasting my life away

Hi herb,

I think this is a perfect song to commemorate Jimmy Buffet. The musical style is spot-on. And the lyric sums up his life, as much as we know it, very nicely. The band is sweet! Only nit with the band is the harmonica needed more volume as it began the instrumental verse. Your vocal somewhat reminds me of him. Nothing wrong with that! I really liked the slightly louder than is typical. The higher EQ it appears you might have applied gave them a crisp glow. And yeah - those steel drums!

In my opinion, you aced it! Can't imagine anyone doing a better tribute to his contributions to the world of music.

Ya did good!

Alan

Herb, I’ve been going to the Keys for 50 years and have traveled extensively in the Carribean, so I know this style very well. You nailed it. I always remark on your vocals. There is something about the timbre of your voice that I find very accessible and easy to listen to. Perfect for the genre. Well put together and your production skills are in fine form. Great writing. Well done, Tom

Al David.... remixed it.... more harmonica, tamed the steel drums, bumped the vox upfront a bit more.

Tommy. Thank you. I'm always apprehensive about my own vocals.... Thank you!

Listened again, Herb. Yep - spot on! You make some real nice music.

This is SO cool! Perfect tribute to the man and a lifestyle. The time we spend wasting our lives away with our toes in the sand or enjoying a sunset are not actually wasted at all. Key West has changed a lot in the 40 years I've been going there, but there still aren't enough tourists to kill the magic of watching the sun set from Mallory Square. Oh, loved the steel drums, too!

Herb,

Great song and a great tribute. Perfect...

Loved it!

Bob

Reminds me of my last Caribbean vacation.
I don't know Jimmy Buffett, but if this is the stuff he did, I'll be sure to listen to his music.
Thanks Herb!

Southern cross and laying on the deck is such an iviting thought. You've captured Buffett perfectly in so many ways. Love the steel drum, too. Man, this is so good. One more round of tequila, one more song... Yep, you got this style in our viens, Herb.

Caribbean! Niiiiice!

That harmonica does some nice buffett style licks (his solo's a bit lackluster)
The mandolin does nice job of the heavy work.
Seems you step off of your 3-minute soapbox for this.

Hi, Herb.

Excellent tribute!

In additional to being a solid song, it's got nice very nice Buffet-eque touches like the asymmetric phrasing of the verse, and the stop that announces "Here's the chorus!".

Enjoyed this one a lot!

I think you nailed the Buffet vibe perfectly with this one, Herb. Good choice of instrumentation, and excellent vocal!

Well done, enjoyed.

Great song and lyric, well performed vocal.

Vic

This is a beautiful tribute and touching words.
Laurent

Loved everything about this man, Jimmy would be proud.

DC Ron and rsdean

Thanks for listening. I've been to Key West one time but it was when I was too young to remember it let alone have fun there.

Glad you enjoyed the song.

Let me just wrap this up by saying thanks to everyone who listened and replied.

Thanks!!

Darn good chorus. You've captured the Buffett sound nicely. Love that steel drum part.

liked it. One can hear the Buffet vibe there.
Thanks

Mike B.

App.box.com will load but the posted link shows a blank screen. (12/15/2023).

Herb,

Excellent tribute to Jimmy, right down to those awesome steel drums which work really well here. Nice write capturing the Buffet atmosphere. From a production standpoint, I would have liked some BGVs in that chorus, a little harmony to go with. Perhaps something to consoder further down the road if you ever revisit. Cool track!

Deej

"on my permanent vacation" stuck out as not quite right but the rest floats like a pool drinks cooler.
Gentle, sunny and sort of sleepy.

Herb, you nailed the Jimmy vibe to a T!
Your tribute was spot on!
Sounds great.

Thanks everyone. Bud & Janis..... Try it again. It's still up there. I think box dot com was having some issues recently because I had a problem logging on today to upload some new music.

All worked today and it was worth the wait. All has been said above with multiple compliments.

We are longtime fans of him and can only add "nice tribute!"

J&B

Well done, Herb! You set the stage really well lyrically and I love your choice of instruments. The genre was probably a no-brainer but you nailed the style to be sure. Thanks for sharing your talents.

Dewey

J&B glad you got it to work.
Dewey Thanks.