Take the Weather with You (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Jimmy Buffett (vocals, guitar); Ernest Ranglin, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth (guitar); Jake Shimabukuro (ukulele); Michael Utley (keyboards); Ralph MacDonald (percussion).

Fortunately for 2000s-era Parrotheads (the moniker Jimmy Buffett fans go by), Florida's great laid-back one is as casual, groovy, and ready to deliver a fine musical time as he's ever been. After a patch of lukewarm releases, 2006's TAKE THE WEATHER WITH YOU is something of a return to form for Buffett, mining the sweet, tropical pop vibe for which he's well known.

With its well-paced mix of covers and originals, TAKE THE WEATHER has few slow spots. The Southern soul-tinged "Bama Breeze" and the New Orleans groove of "Wheel Inside the Wheel" are particular highlights. Surprisingly, Buffett has some moments of poignant reflection, such as on the Hurricane Katrina reminder, "Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On," but the wisdom mixes well with the sunshine, cold beer, and swim trunks vibe that pervades most of the disc. minimize