Jimmy Buffett & The Croal Reefer Band bring their laid back style of music to the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater on October 16th!
The setting was perfect for a Jimmy Buffett concert. The sun was high in the sky at the Newport Folk Festival. To the backs of the audience was the lovely Newport harbor with a slew of sailboats out on the bay. That meant only one aspect was needed - good time Buffett songs and atmosphere, and that the summer favorite supplied and more.
Buffett was the headliner on the final day of the three-day fest, which is no longer strictly folk and hasn't been for awhile. Pete Seeger would have pulled the plug on many acts during the day if he were attending.
Buffett was the perfect closer, providing lots of fun in music that doesn't cut all that deep, but what the hell? It's summer. And with a start of ""Why Don't We Get Drunk (And Screw)" and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," Buffett and his very fine Coral Reefer Band were up and running.
Buffett cutely introduces almost every song, making it clear what he is about to play. He also played to the local crowd, apparently having spent a lot of time among the boating set in this wealthy Rhode Island city, making numerous local references. This was not your typical gratuitous attempt at ingratiating oneself with the locals either.
Buffett trotted out his usual suspect hits from the lively, pretty sounding "Come Monday" to "Margaritaville," and just about everything worked exceedingly well. The sound was most easy to get into. The crowd, both young and old, stood the entire time, grooving to the music.
The Coral Reefer Band were certainly up to the task from keyboardist Michael Utley and Robert Greenidge on steel drums. They've doubtlessly played these songs hundreds of time, but it sure didn't feel like it. Buffett and company know how to keep the party going.