A Great Country-Carribbean Album.

When I first heard Jimmy Buffett was going to do a "country" album, I was a bit apprehensive. Although I love his earlier stuff where he was more country, I had grown accustomed to his more recent Beach-Themed efforts.
Rest assured, this album will not dissapoint. The selection of country artists that assist Jimmy on this album work beautifully.
All the duets shine, notably "Boats to Build" with Alan Jackson, "License to Chill" with Kenny Chesney, and and "Hey Good Lookin'" with Jackson, Strait, Black, Chesney, and Keith is quite catchy and should be playing in your stereo for some time after purchase.
As a recommendation, Jimmy Buffett once melded the whole country-Beach theme styles in a very underrrated album called RIDDLES IN THE SAND. If you enjoy LICENSE TO CHILL, give RIDDLES a look.
Many Parrotheads will wonder with Buffett's surge in the country world if he isn't a straight-up country star now. Check out the song "Simply Complicated", where Jimmy poses this question quite playfully. One of Jimmy's best albums in some time.

Chill Is A Thrill

Jimmy Buffett started out as a country singer-songwriter. His first several releases were strong country-rock records. In 2003, Mr. Buffett dueted with Alan Jackson on countrified "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" and the results were Mr. Buffett's first number one record as the song topped the Country charts. For Licensed To Chill, Mr. Buffett again duets with Mr. Jackson as well as several other notable country stars like Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Toby Keith and Martina McBride. The results are a pleasant mixing of country and parrothead rock. The album's best track is his lone duet with a non-country performer, Bill Withers, "Playin' The Loser Again" which finds Mr. Buffett holding his own with the powerful Mr. withers and sounding quite soulful. Licensed To Chill is yet another solid album that will keep Parrotheads happy until Mr. Buffett's next release.

Bumpkins invade the beach

Country may have once been a respectable genre of music, but nowadays it has more in common with top 40 radio. I miss the originals, like Johnny Cash, because these new singers try too hard to get that twang in their voice. So Jimmy decided to do a country themed album. Any Phan worth his salt will know that Jimmy started out country, and he had some good early albums. My objection stems from Jimmy inviting all of those other singers on this album, ( 9 of the 16 tracks feature Jimmy sharing vocals). The good news is that these "duets", don't really ruin the album. The bad news is it doesn't really enhance it either, leaving me to conclude that the idea was just a marketing ploy. The only song I really like among the "duets" is License to Chill, it is every bit as catchy as 5 o'clock somewhere. The rest I usually skip, excluding Boats to Build, with is enjoyable even thought the lyrics seem a little rushed. As for the other songs, Coast of Carolina is a real gem, one of those slow reflective songs that Jimmy can work so well. (Such as Semi-true story). Simply Complicated is typical Buffett with uproarious lyrics, and although it is a quick song (just over 2 minutes) it is one of my favorites. Coastal Confessions is also a highlight. And thankfully, Jimmy ends the album on a high note with his trademark beach sound on the up tempo Scarlet Begonias, and the gospel like steel drium hymn Back To The Island. Perhaps the rest of the album will grow on me with time, and as for now I'm simply satisfied. Thanks Bubba.