The Party Never Stops

Story by Kelly Guzman
Photos by Terry Mayer

The storm moved on and the sun came out just in time on Saturday for Parrotheads. The weather wasn't looking too promising for Jimmy Buffett fans and his concert. Either way, Alpine Valley was sold out and fans weren't going to be disappointed. Buffett was bringing his Tiki Time Tour to town, complete with flamethrowers and talking tiki gods. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band kicked off a three-hour show with "Great Heart," followed by a perennial favorite, "Coconut Telegraph" as beach balls flew through the reserved seats and the lawn. The barefoot Buffett, dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt, tie-dyed Bermuda shorts, commanded the stage for "Manana," "Come Monday," "Knees of my Heart," "The Natives are Restless Tonight," and of course, "Margaritaville." He closed the first set with "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and "One Particular Harbor."
After a short intermission with video shot in the parking lot before the concert, Buffett came back on stage and sat at a tiki bar and sang "Thank God the Tiki Bar is Open," followed by "Everybody's Talkin'." Then it was back to the old favorites "Why Don't We Get Drunk," "Pencil Thin Mustache" and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes." Buffett and his 12-member band ended the second set with James Taylor's "Mexico," "Fins" with fans raising their hands about their heads like shark fins to the left and right, and closed with "Volcano."
The first encore brought everyone back out for band introductions and a rousing rendition of country singer Alan Jackson's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," with Mac McAnally sharing vocals. Unlike the Detroit show a few nights earlier, Alan Jackson didn't make a surprise appearance on stage. But the crowd seemed to know the lyrics, "What would Jimmy Buffett do?" from Jackson's song. The second number was the crowd favorite "Southern Cross."
The second encore included a Caribbean-flavored version of Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise." To round out the show, Jimmy came back on stage alone to sing "Defying Gravity."
Every year Jimmy Buffett makes a stop at Alpine Valley and fans come from all over to hear him sing. He puts on a great show that keeps fans on their feet the whole time. Thank the tiki gods it wasn't in mud.