All posts in August 2008

Tequila Sunset

By Mickey on 2 Comments

    It’s Schmoe worst nightmare come true!  According to the Telegraph (UK), Mexican farmers are clearing away agave fields — used to make tequila — for more profitable wheat or corn crops.  With the US paying big money for biofuels, tequila may become a thing of the past.

    Corn currently sells for a record 18 cents a pound as US motorists turn towards biofuels in an attempt to avoid the soaring cost of petrol — now $2 a gallon.
    In contrast, agave, which was worth approximately 80 cents a pound six years ago, now sells for less than two cents.
    As a result, farmers have taken the difficult decision to let their agave crops burn to clear the way for more lucrative crops.

    I imagine at this very moment, having read this, there is a Schmoe-shaped cloud above his spinning office chair, as Schmoe tears off to the closest liquor store to stockpile bottles of patron.
    (Found via Digg.com.)

Episode 81: In Touchdown With My Insanity

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Show Notes:

Recorded Wednesday, August 20 2008 (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM) at Joe’s Prime Time, Brownstown MI
    “Season 5 ends with another football playlist, Greg reporting from the Margaritaville Café
in Myrtle Beach, and Scott getting drunk.  Cameo by Rachel.  Background vocals by DJ and Jacob.”

    01:02 – said product being my 3G iPhone
    01:17 – Schmoe is not being psychic.  He and Greg had been texting earlier.
    05:28 – hey, why not read along, at The Onion.com
    05:34 – and here’s the background music too (“Come Monday” in MIDI form). I don’t recall where I got it, so unfortunately I cannot give proper credit.
    11:03 – oops, I meant “turn over”. I always get “crank” and “turn over” confused.
    …And I’m talking cars here, by the way, I’ll have you know.
    12:10 – a Nathan Fillion quote, 2:35 into the Firefly gag reel.  Have I mentioned you should buy Firefly: The Complete Series on either DVD or Blu-Ray?
    12:53 – the official Miami University site
    14:14 – ** Spoiler warning: U of M beat Miami University, 16-6 **
    15:48 – just for Scott: Brooke Hogan’s website
    17:27 – note to waitstaff: please do not insult customers before they’’ve paid
    18:33 – this is true.  Scott does not exaggerate

      >  Download Episode 81

Episode 80: Beyond the End Zone

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Show Notes:
Recorded Wednesday, August 13 2008 (10:00 PM – 11:30 PM) at Joe’s Prime Time, Brownstown MI
    “Mickey, Greg, Schmoe, and Mike discuss the first of our JB-inspired football tailgate playlists plus the latest in Jimmy Buffett news.  (Cameo by Rachel.)”

    00:19 – well, Schmoe is “Secretary of Everything’
    00:42 – this is true
    01:07 – a dig at Schmoe’s overreaction to Y2K
    01:58 – Belgian company InBev agreed to buy Anheuser-Busch on Sunday, July 13 2008.  However, it was not till November 12 2008 that Anheuser-Bush shareholders approved the sale.
    04:27 – originally discussed in Episode 65
    04:57 – Bullwinkle‘s recording of RCPM’s September 23 show at the Magic Bag, from Archive.org
    05:04 – that would be Episode 78
    05:18 – a reference to “Fish Story”, Episode 21 of WKRP in Cincinnati‘s first season.  Watch it on Hulu.com
    05:52 – Biloxi Margaritaville Cafe work slowdown, via Buffett World
    06:21 – Margaritaville in Biloxi to be redesigned, via Buffett World
    07:39 – Margaritaville in Chicago, via Buffett News
    08:39 – Stub Hub’s Rockingest Cities, via CNN Money.com
    10:25 – Stub Hub’s Top Summer Concerts, via CNN Money.com
    11:47 – Jake Shimabukuro in the New York Times, via Buffett News
    11:58 –Jake Shimabukuro on YouTube
    12:16 – oh why not: Chocolate Rain on YouTube, for old times’ sake
    12:24 – the Jimmy Buffett / Bankie Banks autographed guitar auction, via Buffett News
    12:56 – Clay Eals on casting a Steve Goodman biopic
    14:08 – Clay Eals’ book Steve Goodman: Facing the Music, at Amazon
    14:33 – 21, on IMDb.com
    15:09 – the official site of legendary U of M announcer Bob Ufer
    15:49 – the official University of Utah site
    19:17 – ** Spoiler warning: Utah squeaked past Michigan, 25-23 **
    19:58 – University of Utah on Wikipedia
    22:08 – the grave itself
    23:42 – “Don’t wear shorts if it’s stupid to wear shorts.” Quote of the Episode!
    23:59 – Schmoe refers to the “Schmype” episode.  And following our recording tonight, Schmoe found that he hadn’t been lying and he did have a joke; it was just buried in his papers.

      >  Download Episode 80

Episode 79: It’s 8:08 on 08/08/08 Somewhere

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Show Notes:
Recorded Wednesday, August 6 2008 (10:30 PM – 12:00 AM) via Skype
    “How’s this for a quick turnaround. But then again we’ve got to get this one out before the world ends today. For now, the guys give short takes on several topics and plan Buffett playlists for football tailgating. Suggest yours at podcast@northcoastcast.com.”

    We’re back on Skype, but with better results than last time. I used a headset and Schmoe used an external mic so our audio is better.
    With all those eight and O’s, it’s too bad this couldn’t’ve been Episode 80!
    00:15 – I’d like to say I was making a joke, but I can’t
    00:50 – this is the photo Mike forwarded to us (two days after this recording) of the damage from Hurricane Eduardo (or was it Dolly?)

“It was a rough one.”

    01:00 – my one and only photo of Moose MacGregor’s, taken before we went to our homes

Moose MacGregor’s from the parking lot

    01:43 – the Today show site no longer archives the video, but Lucy Buffett did leave behind a Wee Burgers recipe
    03:21 – InBev makes a bid on Anheuser-Busch
    06:24 – the official InBev site
    06:48 – Moose MacGregor’s on MySpace
    07:31 – yeah, right. Greg also thought he was on mute for the hour I heard him put his kids to bed, before Episode 78
    07:58 – some more about the Sirius and XM merger, from PC World
    12:11 – see, I try t be clever and always end up wrong. The “Judas!” comment, when Bob Dylan went electric, did not occur at the Newport Folk Festival. It happened later, in Manchester, England. So says Wikipedia.
    12:38 – I would love to get a copy of this Drew & Mike interview but I can’t find it anywhere
    16:34 – Jock Jams 1 and/or Jock Jams 2, at Amazon
    17:25 – Carnival Steel Drum Collections, at Amazon
    17:55 – whoops! Schmoe set off the double entendre alarm! Usually Scott’s to blame.
    18:12 – the Mayans and 2012. it must be true. It has its own domain!
    19:17 – that one goes out to all you Beatles Christmas record fans out there
    20:01 – as discussed in Episode 40
    A few things were edited out of the recording, not the least of which was an injury at Greg’s house where a heavy frozen food fell out of his freezer, injuring the bare foot of a house guest.

      >  Download Episode 79

Episode 78: Schmype

By Mickey on Leave a Comment

Show Notes:
Recorded Wednesday, July 30 2008 (10:00 PM – 12:30 AM) via Skype
    “Our bad luck streak with tech continues as the guys try their first Skype call to discuss Listener Ed’s review of the Alpine Valley concert.”

    Greg and I were the first ones online for this call, and I recorded almost an hour of background noise as he made a late dinner and put his kids to bed. I thought I would improve my sound by talking into a USB microphone but in fact it picked up lots of room noise as well as fan noise from my desktop computer. Luckily I was recording myself on a separate track and could mix myself out when not talking. I guess it went okay, for our first time; and it felt kind of fun to be using Skype like the real podcasts do.
    00:28 – a Blues Brothers reference, of course
    01:04 – one was Mike, obviously; and the other was Schmoe
    01:40 – one of those photos…

Jimmy in Indianapolis

    02:49 – the Roger Clyne simulcast, live from Florida
    04:06 – actually, the opposite: as host of the conference call, picking up on Schmoe meant I put Mike and Greg on hold
    05:52 – here’s your chance to read along with Schmoe…  (More notes after.)

Gents,

Listed below is a review of the concert from last night. An incredible show to say the least.

Buffet Concert Review
Alpine Valley July 19, 2008

The tour of the parking lot prior to the show was unbelievable. It had been raining all morning. The sun came out & it got hot & humid. Everyone had been drinking a lot. Let’s just say that for July 19th 2008, the Alpine Valley parking lot became the intersection of Sodom & Gomorra!

The Show:
They played AC/DC’s ‘You shook Me All Night Long’ to get the crowd pumped up. Then they played Hot, Hot, Hot. Then Jimmy took the stage alone to start the show. Jimmy was very loose with the comments when he came out as well as all throughout the night. I t was just like the concert in Glendale, AZ for the opening of a new Margaretville. Jimmy was loose that day also. It was the old Jimmy. He wasn’t patronizing the crowd. He was just having a good time & saying what was on his mind.

Set List
1     Why Don’t We Get Drunk
Although I think this song has been overplayed over the years, Jimmy’s solo version of this song on this tour was a very good performance and sure was a surprise he opened the show with this one. Jimmy stated that he needed to do this song to appease the rain gods of Alpine Valley.

2     Home Made Music
I never really liked this song, even the original version on ‘Hot Water’. I did not like the Pine Knob version either. When they played it tonight, I thought it sounded pretty good. Interesting fact: Russell Kunkel co wrote this song. Russ played drums on seven James Taylor albums.

3     Tiki Bar Is Open.
This one was OK. It needed more horns. It needed Amy Lee & Tom Mitchell. I always enjoyed watching John, Amy & Tom.

4     Fruit Cakes
Jimmy updated the lyrics. It was a great performance of this song. The video screens showed the parties in the parking lot before the show.

5     Pencil Thin Mustache
One of my favorite tunes. John Lovell’s performance was outstanding.

6     Miss You So Badly
Great song, great performance.

7     5’Oclock Somewhere
Another great song. Mac was great with this one.

8     Changes in Latitudes
Jimmy and the band got the crowd rockin’ during this song. You’d have to be there to really get a sense of how the crowd was during this song.

9     Cowboy in the Jungle
I love the original from Son of a Son of a Sailor better. It just doesn’t translate very well live for me.

10     Brown Eyed Girl
This one is always an Alpine Valley favorite. Jimmy & the band rocked this one. This song gets a crowd reaction that matches Margaretville.

11     Cheeseburger in Paradise
A great performance of this song.

12     Come Monday
I never get tired of hearing this one. Jimmy did the beach band configuration with Mac, Ralph & Robert which was fantastic.

13     One Particular Harbor
Jimmy talks about Tahiti & how it inspired him to write this song. There was video footage of him in Tahiti from what looks like the mid to late 80’s with the old band before the PM band joined. There was Sam Clayton, a young Mike Utley & a young Robert G.

14     License To Chill
The performance of this song puts the Chicago DVD version to shame. The band was in sync on this one.

Intermission
Sports Illustrated Video
Dukes on Sunday Video
Another Saturday Night Video

Note:
I could not understand why the roadies were reconfiguring Gunthie’s drum kit. You don’t usually make big changes to a drum kit during intermission like they were changing this one. I soon found out why!!!!!!!!!!!!

15     Bo Diddley Tribute

Hey Bo Diddley
Jimmy started to talk about the death of Bo Diddley & was going to do a tribute. I looked on the stage & the guy in the red shirt look familiar. Was it? YES IT WAS!!!! Fingers Taylor on stage!!!! I could not believe it!!!! The performance of ‘Hey Bo Diddley’ was absolutely incredible. Jimmy, Mac Ralph, Fingers, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcom jut put on one hell of a performance. Fingers was just unbelievable!!

16     Juke Joint Duo
Jimmy & the band left the stage for Juke Joint & Fingers to perform a song. This was an incredible performance! It was just Fingers, Cedric & Malcom.. What can I say? It was just drums, guitar & harmonica & they filled Alpine Valley with an incredible wall of sound. I was speechless. Has Jimmy and the band ever left the stage and handed the crowd of 40,000 to another band? If not, this has got to be a first!

17     Ass & the Hole
Mac did a fabulous job on this one. As Jimmy promised, Spring break Johnny came out of his shell.

18     Stars On the Water
This is one of listener Ed’s favorite songs. The PM band rocked this one out. But, I will have to say, the best live performance of this song was on ‘Live by the Bay’. Fingers rocked this one. If only Josh Leo could be here! Right before this song started, Fingers was doing a shot of something with either Mac or Peter. I could not tell.

19     Son of a Son of a Sailor
Jimmy talks about the navy & visiting the troops. They showed video footage of Jimmy & Mac’s visit to the sailors on the USS Harry S. Truman. Again, Fingers was just great.

20     Volcano
Fingers was out of control on this one. He did an outstanding performance. Having Fingers on stage really had a positive affect on the band. Every time he was out there, the rest of the band would just turn it up a notch. He would walk around while playing & just look at another band member & that member just would just pour their heart & soul into that particular song they were playing.

21     Making Music for Money
I will have to say that I did not care for Nadir’s version of this song from the Pine Knob concert. I always thought that only Jimmy should perform songs from the A1A album. However, Nadir really belted out the lyrics on this performance. I think it was because Fingers was also on stage. Fingers rocked this one.

22     School Boy Heart
Wow! This was another great performance. The band was in sync and everyone just rocked on this one!

23     In The City
The vocal harmonies were just fantastic on this one. This is another example of the band just being in sync tonight. I liked Mac’s comments about the first time his picture was taken in public after leaving Mississippi. And I quote “It was the second time a McAnally had his picture taken and there was no bible in one hand & a shotgun in the other”.

24     Pirate Looks at 40
A great live performance with the added treat of Fingers on stage. I can’t say it enough. Fingers just made this song extra special.

25     Band Intros
Jimmy talked about the article in the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel on the band.

26     Far Side Of The World
A great performance along with video footage from Jimmy’s trip to Cambodia or Vietnam.

27     Southern Cross
I never get tired of this one. They always do a great job with this song & having Fingers on stage gives it that extra touch of class.

28     Margaretville
The crowd just went wild during this one! Fingers was playing on one of Utley’s keyboards during this song and him & Utley were just having a great time. Jimmy added the lost verse.

29     Fins
Another great Fingers performance.

30     Rainy Day Women
The band just let loose with this one. It was a great, great performance. Again, Fingers just rocked! He poured everything he had into this song. John Lovell also did a great job on this song. There was also some strange smell or odor in the air during this song.

31     Distantly In Love
I was very impressed with Jimmy performance on this song. In the past he always did the acoustical ‘last song’ differently that the original version. Songs like ‘Stories We Could Tell’, ‘Lovely Cruise’, ‘He Went to Paris’ were always performed differently when Jimmy does these ‘unplugged’ encores. Jimmy can do what he wants, he owns the songs but, I always thought they should sound like the original. With ‘Distantly in Love’ it sounded very much like the original version & was just a great performance.

BEST PERFORMANCES
Fingers Taylor                 Here Comes Bo Diddley, Rainy Day Women,
                                           Making Music for Money
Mac                                   Ass & the Hole
John Lovell                     Pencil Thin Mustache & Rainy Day Women
Jimmy                               Distantly In Love

BEST SONGS
School Boy Heart
In the City
Here Comes Bo Diddley
Come Monday
Changes In Latitudes

I can say that of all the live Buffet concerts I have been to and seen on DVD, this concert was the best. Watching Fingers performing on stage was an unforgettable experience. When I did my review of ‘Live by the Bay’ I mentioned that Jimmy’s old band interacted well with each other and that the PM Band just sort of stayed in their little spot during the concert. Jimmy was real loose that night and was taking jabs at members of the band and they were starting to loosen up a little.

After Fingers took the stage, everything changed. It was like he flipped a switch & the rest of the band came alive. I have never seen the (PM) band interact as well as they did on this night. Fingers was such a motivating factor in the rest of the band’s performance that night. Everyone was smiling. Gunthie was smiling & he never smiles. Doyle Grisham was smiling and he rarely smiles. Jim Mayer who moves around a little during the show was just all over the place this night.

You just had to be there!

Listener Ed

p.s. Tina looked great!

    06:22 – a week prior, Jimmy, interviewed by none other than Mike Utley (at the July 22 show in Pittsburgh), talked about such an incongruous song appearing in his warm-up playlist.

    07:14 – the concert clips were recorded directly off my Sirius radio, as opposed to off the Sirius web stream like I usually do. To get a good signal the radio was outside while we stayed inside to record Episode 77. It rained that night, and the radio was protected only by the umbrella of a patio table on Schmoe’s deck.
    08:39 – I am dead wrong on this one. I completely forgot he did indeed do “Fruitcakes” at Pine Knob, with me standing right there to hear it. Although I remained convinced I had not heard it for days after. (Shades of that one long ago concert where Mike did not hearing “Changes in Latitudes”.)
    17:33 – Bo Diddley, in Wikipedia
    18:48 – Juke Joint Duo, on MySpace
    19:23 – “Listen to what I say, not what you hear.” Quote of the Episode!
    19:51 – “Skinny Woman“, from YouTube
    21:31 – Scott is reading from the bio on the Juke Joint Duo MySpace page
    21:47 – Calvin Johnson (musician) vs Calvin Johnson (American football), in Wikipedia
    27:53 – as mentioned in Episode 13
    29:11 – the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, previously mentioned in Episode 76
    31:18 – there’s a time-cut here. Schmoe would not usually pee that quickly
    35:59 – nope. It’s not his ceiling fan. Those internal mics always crackle when using Skype — but when used with any other application, they sound extremely good.
    34:22 – “this long” as in three hours!
    34:31 – yeah, Greg wishes!
    35:02 – obviously this comes from earlier in the recording.
    A few things were edited out of this session, not the least of which was an injury at Greg’s house where a heavy frozen food fell out of his freezer, injuring the bare foot of a house guest. One giant chunk of conversation involved Scott discovering Woot.com had a deal on bacon salt — a product we had never heard of before but took an instant liking to just on the name alone. As Schmoe is always saying “Everything tastes better with bacon.” I regret having excised this, especially as Scott has been quick to bring up the subject of bacon salt in subsequent recordings. (Plus the fact Mike, now that we’re using Skype to contact him in Houston, has permanently labeled the crackle coming from Schmoe’s laptop as “bacon noise”.)

      >  Download Episode 78