Margaritaville in Paris!

[jo]

Just bought 4 tickets to go see Jimmy Buffett at the Olympia on September 24 (the day we get to Paris, we'll have to take a nap in the afternoon)!

I really liked the Olympia last year when we saw Simply Red and this should be a pretty cool concert (although not typically Parisian ) I hear that Jimmy's fan (the famous Parrot Heads) are pretty rabid about their hero. Cool way to start our trip.

Jo

[nutsabouttravel]

Good for you, Jo! I remember some 10+ years ago seeing Gilbert Becaud at the Olympia. The whole audience (me included) stood up to sing along for "Quand Il Est Mort Le Poete" and it was a really moving experience. In '08 I went to see an Italian singer in what turned out to be a multi-media event that actually damaged my ears because it was so loud. Hope your experience will be a good one -- I bet it will.
Mary

[sistereurope]

That is so cool Jo! I would lLOVE to see a concert in Paris. I hope that we get to meet at the GTG so that I can hear all about it.

On a related note, and not to steal your thread!, I am totally obsessed with this French indie band called Mickey 3D. They're touring this spring, and I'm totally bummed out that I'll miss them in Paris, although they will be in Belgium at a music festival over the weekend I'm in Paris. I toyed with the idea of maybe going, but I didn't want to give up any time in Paris. If only I had more time!!

Here are some links to some you tube videos of a few of my favorite songs:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ87VLFOcYY


www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBwGaZDw-0g

[GitteK]

How disappointing is this !!!!!!!

I thought "Margaritaville" perhaps was some kind of secret boozing spot I hadn't heard of !!!!!!
Woop woop ...........

And then it's only some stoopid, noisy pop orchestra...... I feel old........

(sistereurope, and so should you !! Jeez woman: you're 50+ years too !! Remember ?)

[keylimejet]

Gitte - Margaritaville is a chain of cafés in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean owned by Jimmy Buffet (pronounce the T at the end!). So yes, they can be considered as boozing spots!

www.margaritaville.com/index.php

There are also stores. Last, but not least, Margaritaville is a state of mind. ;D As someone who grew up in the Florida Keys, I'm a huge Buffet fan. His music provided the backdrop for my youth, so there are lots of fun memories associated with his songs. My favorite is "A Pirate Looks at Forty" which has a goofy title, but is a really beautiful song. He also wrote some great songs when his kids were little, including Little Miss Magic and Chanson Pour Les Petits Enfants, which is partly in French!

He puts on a great concert too, so you should have a great time jo!

[GitteK]

Ohhh........... so it's like Starbucks, only with alcohol in it ! Hmmmm, are you sure it's a good idea to export another chain thing to the Old World ?

I mean, Paris has it's wonderful winebars for us vinos. Imbibing hard liquor is not really a part of the French tradition - apart from the digestifs you take with your coffee after a good dinner: cognac, armagnac, calvados and eau de vie (fruit shcnapps).

[GitteK]

So "Margaritaville" is not a pop orchestra, then ?

LOL........ now I feel even older ! ;D ;D

[sunshine817]

No, Margaritaville isn't a pop orchestra. The name comes from one of his songs, "Wastin' Away in Margaritaville", about a guy trying to get over the unexpected departure of his lady love.

It's a restaurant -- yes, they serve hard liquor there, as Margaritas are very popular in tropical climates, and they're crummy made with wine - -so it's tequila. And a little Grand Marnier.

But they have wine, too -- and some fairly decent stuff. The food's pretty tasty, too.

Jimmy Buffett (two t's) is the troubadour of a group of fans who refer to themselves as Parrotheads. Jimmy's only had one real commercial hit -- called "Come Monday", about 30 years ago -- and one duet that he did with Alan Jackson, called "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" -- other than that, his songs get very little airplay. He's very much someone who has succeeded on his talent and his ability to sell a dream -- whiling away your life someplace warm, just enjoying the slow pace of the tropics.

Read some of his lyrics -- he's not a fluffy pop artist by any stretch. Some of it's silly, but he also has a great way of playing with words, and writes some very, very poignant lyrics. (He Went to Paris come to mind -- "If he likes you, he'll smile and he'll say, "Jimmy, some of it's magic, some of it's tragic, but I've had a good life all the way." It's a very bittersweet song, and well worth finding the lyrics.

The concerts that he and his band (The Coral Reefer Band) put on are terrific fun -- like going to a party with 20 000 of your closest friends. Everyone wears tropical print shirts, and it's one of the most friendly concerts you'll ever go to. People sing along to the songs -- it's just a fantastically fun evening.

He's written a couple of books, too, which are great fun to read "Tales from Margaritaville" was his first, and still the best.

Hubby and I are thinking about getting tickets...but we're hesitating a little at the price!

And I don't think there are any plans afoot to open any restaurants in Europe -- they are pretty much limited to places where the clientele understand the whole idea.

[jo]

Hi Gitte,

Jimmy Buffett is way older than you at 63! He's been making music for almost 40 years and like Keylimejet says, his songs are about a state of mind, kicking back and taking life as it comes. His concerts are legendary and we're really excited to be able to see him in our favourite city. I think he has played Paris many times, including at some of Paris's best jazz clubs. Margaritaville is just the name of his most famous song, not his band.

I don't think he has any intention of bringing his franchised restaurants to Paris during his tour, so the cafes and winebars of Paris are still safe. ;D

Here's some more info on him, he's a singer, songwriter, novelist, businessman and a licensed pilot. Plus he believes in living life to the fullest, like a lot of us here.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Buffett

I think you would like this early song of his, "He went to Paris"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMozCfz0cZM

Hey, you may just decide to join us if you like the songs! ;D

Jo

I must have been posting at the same time as Sunshine, sorry for any double info!

[keylimejet]

Oy vey - it is two T's in Buffett! What an embarrassing gaffe from an old time Parrothead like me! Can I blame the early hour and a caffeine deficiency?

Anyway, Jo and Sunshine described the whole Buffett experience much better than I did.

[Jody]

Gitte, check out this video to see a Buffett Parrothead party!


www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzUhzRgk9xk&feature=related

[jo]

Sis, I love those songs! Very catchy and witty, the matador one made me giggle out loud! So much good music out there, so little time. Did your friend Loic tell you about this group or did you find them on your own? (you are a pretty cool cat!)

Thanks for sharing, I'll be on the lookout for them...........Jo

[sistereurope]

I think it will be very interesting to see a Jimmy Buffett concert in Paris Jo...I think that he has such an American "ethos"that it should be very cool...kinda like when I went to the nightclub where all the kids were dancing to old American rock and roll. You will have a fabulous time.

I do have to say that I don't particularly care for the Margaritaville chain, having stayed next to one in Negril...that was a little too frat house for even me! And I'm basically anti-chain as a rule.

But the concerts are different story. Have a blast and drink a margarita for me.

As for Mickey 3D, I discovered them on a French Podcast. Hallelujah for Amazon...I ordered one CD, then 2 more. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this band (or I guess I should say je l'aime je l'aime je l'aime)
I really wish I could see them live when I'm in France!! Maybe they'll tour again in the Fall?

And oh yeah Gitte, this chick is over 50 and still rockin out to all KINDS of pop/rock/indie/punk/reggae/folk/hip hop/world/ska/ you name it music - new and old. I hope to be, as long as I can hear...
HEY!!! I wonder if they give senior discounts at that Belgian music fest?! ;D

[keylimejet]

Great video Jody - brings back memories. Thanks for sharing. The last Buffett concert I went to was about 10 years ago at an ampitheater in Atlanta. I was surprised, but pleased to see not only lots of folks my age, but lots and lots of next generation Buffett fans, mostly in their 20's.

On another note - I just noticed - I'm finally a full member! Woohoo!

[geordy]

Small world..I found out 2 days before this thread came on that one of my bosses is a Parrothead!!!

He's 40, raised in Florida. He asked when my next trip was and when I said Sept. he said he might be going then because of Jimmy Buffett!

I told him this morning that someone I "knew" had just gotten tickets!
Also told him it was a great, famous theatre. He started asking me about airfares..

Then I went to the Ladies..when I came back his secretary told me he was looking for me....

I tracked him down and we retired to his office to check out airfares ...

I'm his Paris "go to" person!!!

He still hasn't told his wife about this yet..she's not big on travel...
"Honey..let's go to Paris for 5 nites to go to a JB concert?" Anyone out there who would say no??

I hope they decide to go....Paris is just good for people!!!

And I have a hotel recommendation assignment!

As for JB...I've always liked his music....Margaritaville has a perfect shore vacation feel..not at a fancy secluded resort..but at a real, regular, honky tonk type beach.."living on songecake"......

Also like the "Sharks: song....ah yes "Fins" and of course "Cheeseburger In Paradise"! And Canges in latitude because surely if we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.

[gertie]

I love Jimmy Buffett! Gitte, he's one of those people that don't get a lot of air play, but everyone knows his songs. Every band making the rounds of local bars covers "Wastin' Away in Margaritaville", and everyone knows all the words. Bands play it late in the evening, when everyone is starting to feel the booze. It's one of those kick back, sing along, and enjoy songs. But maybe that is just here in Texas where I am from? I don't think I ever went to any local hang out bar where the band didn't play it somewhere in the evening.

-*leans back, throws her head back, and sings "Lookin' for my~lost shaker of salt! Some people say~there's a wo~man to blame~but I love ya! It's my own d**m fault*-
Sing it with me Parrotheads!

A concert in Paris sounds great, by the way. I do like that Mickey 3D, sister! I'd love to see them or Plastic Bertrand. "Ça plane pour moi" is so fun! But I don't think he's touring anymore.

[geordy]

If I were in Paris on September 24 I would go to the Olympia even if I didn't have tickets just to see the parrotheads coming and going in that neighborhood!!! ;D

I'll be looking forward to hearing about it Jo!

[Anne]

I've just watched a few Youtube videos of Buffet and I just love the guy ;D ! He irradiates happy-go-lucky and joy. And I was very surprised to find this song called "Why don't we get drunk and scr*w", since I had assumed that this kind of singers (folk ? country ?) in the USA would remain quite conservative and prudish in their songs. And his fans are just great !
Of course his on-stage clothing style could be discussed , but, hum, let's say that this goes well with the carefree character .
He's great fun, add him to the list Sandy !

[gertie]

Oh, we are conservative and prudish. Til you give us a few beers in a redneck bar. They don't really play those songs on the radio much. Especially since the FCC crack down.