A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
Encyclopedia
A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean is the third album
by American
popular music singer–songwriter
Jimmy Buffett
and the first major-label album in Buffett's Don Gant
-produced "Key West phase". It was initially released in June 1973
as Dunhill
DS-50150 and later rereleased on Dunhill's successor labels ABC
and MCA
.
The title of the album is a play on the country
song "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation
" by Marty Robbins
and it contains several of what would later become Buffett's most popular songs. The album was recorded at outlaw country
singer Tompall Glaser
's studio in Nashville, Tennessee
. It marks the first reference to Buffett's backup band as "The Coral Reefer Band
" and is the first album that long-time Reefers Michael Utley
and Greg "Fingers" Taylor play on.
album chart, his last major release not to make that chart. The single
of "The Great Filling Station Holdup" reached #58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and "Grapefruit Juicy Fruit" was #23 on the Billboard Easy Listening
chart.
The most well-known song of the album, the novelty
"Why Don't We Get Drunk (and Screw)," was originally released as a B-side (b/w "The Great Filling Station Holdup") and inspired some controversy at the time due to its lyrics. Buffett wrote "Why Don't We Get Drunk" and is credited with playing maracas and beer cans on the album under the pseudonym Marvin Gardens, derived from a property on the original Atlantic City version of the Monopoly game board.
"He Went to Paris" is perennial fan favorite ballad, appearing on most of Buffett's greatest hits collections. It was remade by Waylon Jennings
in 1980 and by Buffett himself for his 2003 Meet Me In Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
.
Both Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker
wrote "Railroad Lady." Walker recorded the song a year earlier than Buffett and it was later further popularized by Lefty Frizzell
, Merle Haggard
, and Willie Nelson
.
Side B:
:
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
popular music singer–songwriter
Singer–songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
and the first major-label album in Buffett's Don Gant
Don Gant
Donald W. Gant was an American singer, songwriter and record producer.With Tupper Saussy, in the late 1960s he formed "The Neon Philharmonic." Singing vocals, with Saussy on the keyboards, they recorded five singles and two albums for Warner Bros. Records between 1969 and 1971...
-produced "Key West phase". It was initially released in June 1973
1973 in music
-January–April:*January 9 – Mick Jagger's request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug conviction, putting an abrupt end to The Rolling Stones' plans to perform in Japan during their forthcoming tour.*January 14...
as Dunhill
Dunhill Records
Dunhill Records was started by Lou Adler, Al Bennett, Pierre Cossette and Bobby Roberts in 1964 as Dunhill Productions, originally for the purpose of releasing Johnny Rivers recordings on Imperial Records. It became a record label in 1965 and was distributed by ABC Records...
DS-50150 and later rereleased on Dunhill's successor labels ABC
ABC Records
ABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
and MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
.
The title of the album is a play on the country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation
A White Sport Coat
"A White Sport Coat " was a 1957 rock and roll song with words and music both written by Marty Robbins.Robbins is said to have had the inspiration for the song while driving from a motel to a venue in Ohio where he was due to perform that evening...
" by Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
and it contains several of what would later become Buffett's most popular songs. The album was recorded at outlaw country
Outlaw country
Outlaw country is a subgenre of country music, most popular during the late 1960s and the 1970s , sometimes referred to as the outlaw movement or simply outlaw music...
singer Tompall Glaser
Tompall Glaser
Tompall Glaser is an American country music artist. Active since the 1950s, he has recorded both as a solo artist and with his brothers Chuck and Jim in the trio Tompall & the Glaser Brothers...
's studio in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. It marks the first reference to Buffett's backup band as "The Coral Reefer Band
Coral Reefer Band
The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Originally it was a fictional band consisting of the imaginary members Marvin Gardens, Kay Pasa, Al Vacado and Kitty Litter....
" and is the first album that long-time Reefers Michael Utley
Michael Utley
Michael Utley, often credited as Mike Utley, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. He is the musical director of the band...
and Greg "Fingers" Taylor play on.
Chart performance
The album reached #43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart but did not make the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart, his last major release not to make that chart. The single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
of "The Great Filling Station Holdup" reached #58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and "Grapefruit Juicy Fruit" was #23 on the Billboard Easy Listening
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
chart.
Songs
All of the songs on A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean were written or co-written by Buffett.The most well-known song of the album, the novelty
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
"Why Don't We Get Drunk (and Screw)," was originally released as a B-side (b/w "The Great Filling Station Holdup") and inspired some controversy at the time due to its lyrics. Buffett wrote "Why Don't We Get Drunk" and is credited with playing maracas and beer cans on the album under the pseudonym Marvin Gardens, derived from a property on the original Atlantic City version of the Monopoly game board.
"He Went to Paris" is perennial fan favorite ballad, appearing on most of Buffett's greatest hits collections. It was remade by Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
in 1980 and by Buffett himself for his 2003 Meet Me In Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection is a Jimmy Buffett greatest hits compilation album consisting of 2 compact discs and 38 songs. The album is notable for several newly recorded and updated versions of songs considered as classics in his repertoire...
.
Both Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry Jeff Walker is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is probably most famous for writing the song "Mr. Bojangles.-Biography:...
wrote "Railroad Lady." Walker recorded the song a year earlier than Buffett and it was later further popularized by Lefty Frizzell
Lefty Frizzell
Lefty Frizzell , born William Orville Frizzell, was an American country music singer and songwriter of the 1950s, and a proponent of honky tonk music. His relaxed style of singing was an influence on later stars Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, George Jones and John Fogerty...
, Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
, and Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
.
Critical reception
Although it was not extremely commercially successful at the time of its release, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean is generally considered one of Buffett's better albums and the beginning of his success. Johnny Loftus of Allmusic argues that "while it still lies much closer to Nashville than Key West," the album "does begin to delineate the blowsy, good-timin' Key West persona that would lead him to summer tour stardom" and is "highly recommended for Buffett completists and those interested in his more introspective side."Track listing
Side A:- "The Great Filling Station HoldupThe Great Filling Station Holdup"The Great Filling Station Hold Up" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and was his first single from that album...
" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:02 - "Railroad Lady" (Jimmy Buffett, Jerry Jeff WalkerJerry Jeff WalkerJerry Jeff Walker is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is probably most famous for writing the song "Mr. Bojangles.-Biography:...
) – 2:46 - "He Went to Paris" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:29
- "Grapefruit—Juicy FruitGrapefruit—Juicy Fruit"Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and was his third single from that album...
" (Jimmy Buffett) – 2:57 - "Cuban Crime of Passion" (Jimmy Buffett, Tom Corcoran) – 3:42
Side B:
- "Why Don't We Get Drunk (and Screw)Why Don't We Get Drunk"Why Don't We Get Drunk" is a novelty song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was a b-side to the first single from his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean...
" (Marvin GardensJimmy BuffettJames William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
) – 2:43 - "Peanut Butter Conspiracy" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:43
- "They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More" (Jimmy Buffett) – 2:57
- "I Have Found Me A Home" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:58
- "My Lovely Lady" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:10
- "Death of an Unpopular Poet" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:39
Personnel
The Coral Reefer BandCoral Reefer Band
The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Originally it was a fictional band consisting of the imaginary members Marvin Gardens, Kay Pasa, Al Vacado and Kitty Litter....
:
- Jimmy Buffett: Acoustic rhythm guitar
- Steve GoodmanSteve GoodmanSteve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
: Acoustic lead guitar - Reggie YoungReggie YoungReggie Young was lead guitarist in the American Sound Studios Band , and is a leading session musician. He played on various recordings with artists such as Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas, John Prine, Dusty Springfield, J.J...
: Electric lead guitar - Doyle Gresham: Pedal Steel guitar
- Ed "Lump" Williams: Bass guitar
- Mike UtleyMichael UtleyMichael Utley, often credited as Mike Utley, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. He is the musical director of the band...
: Piano - Greg "Fingers" Taylor: Harmonica
- Sammy CreasonSammy CreasonSammy Creason was an American session drummer who played with Tony Joe White, Kris Kristofferson and Bob Dylan among others....
: Drums - Phil Royster: Congas
- Johnny GimbleJohnny GimbleJohn Paul Gimble , better known as Johnny Gimble, is an American country musician associated with Western swing. He is an award-winning fiddle player and considered one of the most impressive fiddlers in the genre's history....
: Fiddle - Shane KeisterShane KeisterShane Keister is an American musician. He is known for his work as a studio musician, writer, arranger and producer. He plays synthesizer, piano, Hammond B3, Synclavier, Fairlight, Fender Rhodes, and others.-History:...
: Moog synthesizer - Vassar ClementsVassar ClementsVassar Clements was a Grammy Award- winning American jazz, swing, and bluegrass fiddler. Clements has been dubbed the Father of Hillbilly Jazz, an improvisational style that blends and borrows from swing, hot jazz, and bluegrass along with roots also in country and other musical...
: Fiddle - Ferrell Morris: Percussion
- Marvin GardensJimmy BuffettJames William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
: Maracas and beer cans - Sand Key Chorale (Jimmy Buffett, Don GantDon GantDonald W. Gant was an American singer, songwriter and record producer.With Tupper Saussy, in the late 1960s he formed "The Neon Philharmonic." Singing vocals, with Saussy on the keyboards, they recorded five singles and two albums for Warner Bros. Records between 1969 and 1971...
, Buzz CasonBuzz CasonBuzz Cason is an American rock singer, songwriter, producer and author....
): Background voices - The Buffets; Carol Montgomery and Diane Harris: Background voices
Singles
- "The Great Filling Station Holdup" b/w "Why Don't We Get Drunk" (Released on Dunhill D-4348 in April 1973)
- "They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More" b/w "The Great Filling Station Holdup" (Released on Dunhill D-4353 in 1973)
- "Grapefruit Juicy Fruit" b/w "I Have Found Me a Home" (Released on Dunhill D-4359 in July 1973)
- "He Went to Paris" b/w "Peanut Butter Conspiracy" (Released on Dunhill D-4372 in October 1973)