Down to Earth (Jimmy Buffett album)

Down to Earth is the debut studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was produced by Travis Turk and was released in 1970 on Andy Williams's Barnaby Records label as Z 30093. A compact disc was released by Varèse Sarabande in June 1998.

Down to Earth
Studio album by
Jimmy Buffett
Released1970
Recorded1970
Genre
Length39:22[1]
LabelBarnaby
ProducerTravis Turk
Jimmy Buffett chronology
Down to Earth
(1970)		 High Cumberland Jubilee
(1971)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]

Due to its limited initial appeal (it only sold a few hundred copies), long periods out of general release, and stylistic differences with the rest of Buffett's work, Down to Earth (along with the similar High Cumberland Jubilee) was often not considered part of the chronology of Buffett albums by fans or even Buffett himself.

Songs

All of the songs on Down to Earth were written or co-written by Buffett. "The Captain and the Kid" was re-recorded twice by Buffett—first for 1976's Havaña Daydreamin', and then for the 2002 compilation Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection.

The folk-rock style of music and lyrics on Down to Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee differ greatly from Buffett's subsequent output. There is less of the country music feel and little of the gulf and western, Key-West-influenced sound and themes that have defined his musical career. Allmusic reviewer William Ruhlmann notes that "this is not the freewheeling Jimmy Buffett of 'Margaritaville,' but rather a thoughtful folk-rock singer/songwriter of the early '70s, earnestly strumming an acoustic guitar over a rhythm section and singing lyrics of social consciousness with sly references to drugs".[3]

The material on this album has been included on numerous compilations of Buffett's early material.

An alternate take of "Captain America" was released as the third single from the album.

Alternate versions

The 1998 re-release of the album contained an additional track, "Richard Frost," which was recorded during sessions for the album and released as the B-side of "The Christian?" single.

Track listings

All tracks composed by Jimmy Buffett except where indicated

Original release

Side A:

  1. "The Christian?" (Milton Brown, Jimmy Buffett) 3:54
  2. "Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free)" (Buffett, Buzz Cason) 2:50
  3. "The Missionary" 3:33
  4. "A Mile High in Denver" 3:07
  5. "The Captain and the Kid" 3:18

Side B:

  1. "Captain America" 3:28
  2. "Ain't He a Genius" 2:43
  3. "Turnabout" 4:20
  4. "There's Nothin' Soft About Hard Times" 3:23
  5. "I Can't Be Your Hero Today" 2:58
  6. "Truckstop Salvation" 5:48

1998 re-release
  1. "The Christian?" (Brown, Buffett) 3:54
  2. "Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free)" (Buffett, Cason) 2:50
  3. "Richard Frost" 3:29
  4. 'The Missionary" 3:33
  5. "A Mile High in Denver" 3:07
  6. "The Captain and the Kid" 3:18
  7. "Captain America" 3:28
  8. "Ain't He a Genius" 2:43
  9. "Turnabout" 4:20
  10. "There's Nothin' Soft about Hard Times" 3:23
  11. "I Can't Be Your Hero Today" 2:58
  12. "Truckstop Salvation" 5:48

Personnel
  • Jimmy Buffett – lead and backing vocals, guitar, kazoo
  • Lanny Fiel – guitar, piano
  • Bob Cook – guitar, bass, harmonica
  • Dave Haney – bass
  • Carl Himmel – drums
  • Paul Tabet – drums
  • Bob Cook – harmonica
  • Travis Turk – drums, kazoo
  • Buzz Cason – backing vocals
Technical
  • Travis Turk – producer, engineer

Singles
  • "The Christian?" b/w "Richard Frost" (Released on Barnaby ZS7-2013 circa May 1970)
  • "Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free)" b/w "There's Nothing Soft about Hard Times" (Released on Barnaby ZS7-2019 circa September 1970)
  • "Captain America" b/w "Truckstop Salvation" (Released on Barnaby ZS7-2023 in January 1971)

Notes
  1. Varèse Sarabande compact disc time is 42:05
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r31836
  3. William Ruhlmann. Allmusic Review of There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times.
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