Buffett, loyal fans frolic

TAMPA - Hawaiian shirts are never out of style. Not for fans of singer Jimmy Buffett.

Hula skirts, too, are in vogue for Parrotheads - the name Buffett's fans choose to call themselves - as are colorful flower leis worn around the neck, straw island hats and gigantic felt caps resembling cheeseburgers. Even flips-flips in the form of parrots.

One could find all of these fashions Thursday at the St. Pete Times Forum where a packed house gathered to party with their leader. One notable in the crowd was Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach John Gruden.

The festivities, a concert in two sets, opened with a sing-along to a recorded version of Harry Belafonte's Day-O (The Banana Boat Song), to which a solo Buffett, 57, walked onstage and began strumming and crooning the cavalier Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. Fans sang along.

The songs and sing-along continued as band members, including a drummer, bassist, additional guitarists, keyboardist, percussionist, horn players and hula dancers filed in behind Buffett.

Buffett talked about "all the good times I've had in the waters" of Florida. The singer, who developed his beach bum persona spending his younger years in Key West, then led the band into Son of a Son of a Sailor, punched up by ribbony organ and the sounds of steel drums.

"It's spring out there!" Buffett said happily as he led his band into his gleeful version of Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl. Nearly everyone in the audience stood up to shake their hips, grooving to the band's fun horn blasts and harmonies.

Buffett's devil-may-care charisma was in full force as he chatted between songs, joking about everything from the current political climate to Janet Jackson's troubles. He dug up the vintage, naughty Why Don't We Get Drunk, and fans responded with a clamor. Buffett put his own spin on Hank Williams Sr.'s Hey Good Lookin'.

The highlight of Buffett's second set? A boisterous Cheeseburger in Paradise and Margaritaville to be sure.

The real gem, however, was the romantic ballad Come Monday, showcasing Buffett's serious side. The song, about a man separated from the one he loves, finds its narrator longing after just "four lonely days." It was a fine dose of something tender amid the party anthems.

- To contact Gina Vivinetto, e-mail gina@sptimes.com

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