Equal Strain on All Parts
Equal Strain on All Parts | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by Jimmy Buffett | ||||
Released | November 3, 2023 | |||
Recorded | 2022–2023 | |||
Length | 52:55 | |||
Label |
| |||
Producer |
| |||
Jimmy Buffett chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Equal Strain on All Parts | ||||
| ||||
Equal Strain on All Parts is the thirty-second[1] studio album by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It is the final album to be completed prior to his death on September 1, 2023,[2][3][4] and was released on November 3, 2023, through Mailboat and Sun Records.
Background
After the release of Jimmy Buffett's 2020 album Life on the Flip Side, he continued to tour in support of his music.[5] However, privately, he had been diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, something he would fight for four years.[6] Buffett still continued to tour and write new music, though hospitalization in 2022 and 2023 would cause him to postpone or cancel some shows.[7][5][6] Buffett worked on recording the new album up through 2023, and completed it prior to his death on September 1, 2023.[8]
Themes and composition
The title of the album, Equal Strain on All Parts, comes from a saying his grandfather would use to describe "a good nap".[9] The track "My Gummie Just Kicked In" was described as a surf rock song about a woman's experience of eating a cannabis edible at a summer dinner party.[10] The song was inspired by a real life event attended by Buffett, his wife Jane Slagsvol, Paul McCartney, and his wife Nancy Shevell.[11] Buffett was concerned about Shevell at a dinner party, and her response to his question about her well-being was simply the title of the song.[9] They all joked that the experience would make for a good song, and Buffett later followed through on writing it, even including McCartney on bass guitar on the final recording.[12][11] The track "Bubbles Up" was described as a "reflective ballad" that was co-written with singer-songwriter and guitarist Will Kimbrough.[9] McCartney, who discussed the song with Buffett prior to his death, explained that the song's meaning was derived from common advice given to sailors and other people who may find themselves unexpectedly thrown into a body of water from a boat. McCartney explained that Buffett "turned a diving phrase that is used to train people underwater into a metaphor for life when you're confused and don't know where you are just follow the bubbles—they'll take you up to the surface and straighten you out right away."[9] He also considered Buffett's vocal performance on the song to be the best in his career.[13] Michael Utley and Mac McAnally, two members of Buffett's backing band – the Coral Reefer Band – produced the album.[12]
The album contains three cover songs. "Like My Dog" was originally recorded by Billy Currington for his 2010 album Enjoy Yourself, from which it was released as the fourth single. Written by Harley Allen and Scotty Emerick,[10] the song is about a man wishing a woman would love him as loyally and enthusiastically as his own dog.[10] "Columbus", written by Noel Brazil for Mary Black's 1989 album No Frontiers and then later covered by David Crosby on his 1993 solo album Thousand Roads.[14] The album closer is a recording of Bob Dylan's "Mozambique", featuring Emmylou Harris who reprises her background vocal from the original recording.[15][11]
Release and promotion
The album was released on November 3, 2023.[9] Prior to his death, across July and August 2023, Buffett had teased clips of songs on social media, and had revealed a new song each Friday on his Radio Margaritaville radio show.[16][10] On September 8, 2023, three songs were released ahead of the album release, "Bubbles Up", "My Gummie Just Kicked In", and "Like My Dog".[12] "Bubbles Up" is also the album's lead single.[17]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "University of Bourbon Street" (featuring Preservation Hall Jazz Band) |
| 4:19 |
2. | "Bubbles Up" |
| 4:46 |
3. | "Audience of One" |
| 3:22 |
4. | "My Gummie Just Kicked In" (featuring Paul McCartney) |
| 3:27 |
5. | "Close Calls" |
| 3:05 |
6. | "Equal Strain on All Parts" |
| 3:24 |
7. | "Like My Dog" | 2:36 | |
8. | "Ti Punch Cafe" (featuring Angelique Kidjo) |
| 3:56 |
9. | "Portugal or PEI" (featuring Lennie Gallant and Will Kimbrough) |
| 4:05 |
10. | "Nobody Works on Friday" |
| 3:37 |
11. | "Fish Porn" |
| 4:20 |
12. | "Johnny's Rhum" |
| 4:22 |
13. | "Columbus" | Noel Brazil | 4:20 |
14. | "Mozambique" (featuring Emmylou Harris) | 3:16 | |
Total length: | 52:55 |
Personnel
- Jimmy Buffett – vocals, guitar
- The Coral Reefer Band – instrumentation
- Paul McCartney – bass guitar on "My Gummie Just Kicked In"
- Emmylou Harris – vocals on "Mozambique"
- Angelique Kidjo – vocals on "Ti Punch Cafe"[15]
- Michael Utley – production
- Mac McAnally – production
Charts
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[18] | 42 |
US Billboard 200[19] | 6 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[20] | 2 |
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[21] | 2 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[22] | 1 |
References
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett's new music isn't over yet: 3 songs out now, album due in November". USA Today.
- ^ Jimmy Buffett's Final Album Recorded Before His Death To Arrive in Fall: Release Date Revealed
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett Will Keep the Party Going With Final Album Equal Strain on All Parts". Billboard. September 8, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett's posthumous final album to be released this fall; 3 new songs already out, including McCartney collab". New York Daily News. September 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Mayhem, Music (September 2, 2023). "BREAKING: Jimmy Buffett's Cause Of Death Revealed". Music Mayhem Magazine.
- ^ a b "Jimmy Buffett died after a 4-year fight with a rare skin cancer". NBC News. September 4, 2023.
- ^ Mayhem, Music (September 27, 2022). "BREAKING: Jimmy Buffett Postpones Remaining 2022 Tour Dates Due To "Health Issues & Brief Hospitalization"". Music Mayhem Magazine.
- ^ Willman, Chris (September 8, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett's Final Album, Equal Strain on All Parts, to Be Released This Fall; Paul McCartney-Boosted 'Gummie' Out Now".
- ^ a b c d e Browne, David (September 8, 2023). "Hear the New Jimmy Buffett Song Paul McCartney Says Is His Best Vocal Ever". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b c d Alter, Rebecca (September 8, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett Has 3 Posthumous Singles Bubblin' Up". Vulture.
- ^ a b c Mayhem, Music (September 8, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett's Musical Legacy Lives On With Three New Songs And Posthumous Album, 'Equal Strain On All Parts'". Music Mayhem Magazine.
- ^ a b c "Listen to 3 New Songs Jimmy Buffett Recorded Shortly Before His Death". Pitchfork. September 8, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett's Estate Announces Posthumous Album 'Equal Strain on All Parts,' Shares Three Songs | Exclaim!".
- ^ "4 Things to Know About Jimmy Buffett's Final Album 'Equal Strain on All Parts'". 30 October 2023.
- ^ a b Rapp, Allison (September 8, 2023). "Posthumous Jimmy Buffett Album Set to Arrive This Fall". Ultimate Classic Rock.
- ^ Tenreyro, Tatiana (September 8, 2023). "New Jimmy Buffett Song Released a Week After His Death". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett Announces Posthumous Album with New Single "Bubbles Up"". September 8, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Buffett Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- v
- t
- e
- Michael Utley
- Greg "Fingers" Taylor
- Mac McAnally
- Robert Greenidge
- Deborah McColl
- Jim Mayer
- Peter Mayer
- Roger Guth
- Ralph MacDonald
- Down to Earth
- High Cumberland Jubilee
- A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
- Living and Dying in 3/4 Time
- A1A
- Havana Daydreamin'
- Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
- Son of a Son of a Sailor
- Volcano
- Coconut Telegraph
- Somewhere over China
- One Particular Harbour
- Riddles in the Sand
- Last Mango in Paris
- Floridays
- Hot Water
- Off to See the Lizard
- Fruitcakes
- Barometer Soup
- Banana Wind
- Beach House on the Moon
- Far Side of the World
- License to Chill
- Take the Weather with You
- Buffet Hotel
- Songs from St. Somewhere
- Life on the Flip Side
- Songs You Don't Know by Heart
- Equal Strain on All Parts
- You Had to Be There
- Feeding Frenzy
- Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
- Live at Texas Stadium
- encores
- Down to Earth/High Cumberland Jubilee compilations
- Greatest hits compilations: Songs You Know by Heart
- Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads (box set)
- A Pirate's Treasure
- All the Great Hits
- The Great Jimmy Buffett
- Biloxi
- Great American Summer Fun with Jimmy Buffett (EP)
- Calaloo (EP)
- Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
and musical albums
- Rancho Deluxe soundtrack
- Christmas Island
- Don't Stop the Carnival (musical)
- 'Tis the SeaSon
- "Margaritaville"
- "Come Monday"
- "A Pirate Looks at Forty"
- "Volcano"
- "Fins"
- "Cheeseburger in Paradise"
- "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere"
- "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes"
- "One Particular Harbour"
- "Why Don't We Get Drunk"
- "Southern Cross"
- "Brown Eyed Girl"
- "Son of a Son of a Sailor"
- "God's Own Drunk"
- "Pencil Thin Mustache"
- "Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit"
- "Boat Drinks"
- "Gypsies in the Palace"
- "Jamaica Mistaica"
- "He Went to Paris"
- "Knee Deep"
- "The Great Filling Station Holdup"
- "Hey, Good Lookin'"
- "Surfing in a Hurricane"
- "Trip Around the Sun"
- "Math Suks"
- "Same Boat"
- Live by the Bay
- Music for Montserrat
- Live at Wrigley Field
- Live at Fenway Park
- Live in Anguilla
- Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
- Margaritaville merchandising
- Mailboat Records
- Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant
- Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant
- Land Shark Lager
- Jimmy Buffett discography
- Radio Margaritaville
- Hemisphere Dancer
- Savannah Buffett
- Save the Manatee Club
- Tonsil Trouble
- "Margaritaville" (South Park)
- Escape to Margaritaville