Living & Dying in ¾ Time is the fourth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the second major label album in Buffett's Don Gant-produced "Key West phase." It was initially released in February 1974 as Dunhill DS-50132 and later rereleased on Dunhill's successor labels ABC and MCA. It contains the song "Come Monday," his first Top 40 hit single.
Although there is no title track to the album, one track, "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown," is in ¾ time signature. Furthermore, the lyrics of "Nautical Wheelers" on Buffett's subsequent album, A1A, refer to "living & dying in ¾ time" and the song is also in ¾ time signature.
Chart performance
The album was Buffett's first to chart on the Billboard 200 album chart but it only reached #176. Unlike A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean before it, it failed to make the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The single of "Come Monday" reached #30 on the Hot 100 as well as #3 Easy Listening and #58 Country. In addition, "Pencil Thin Mustache" hit #44 Easy Listening and "Saxophones" "bubbled under" the Hot 100 at #105.
Songs
In addition to "Come Monday," Living & Dying in ¾ Time contains "Pencil Thin Mustache"[1] another Buffett concert favorite. The two songs appear on most of his live albums and greatest hits compilations.
The album contains two cover songs: "Ballad of Spider John" written and originally performed by Willis Alan Ramsey and "God's Own Drunk" by Lord Buckley. Buffett's version of "Ballad of Spider John" is missing some of the lyrics of the original although he has included these in concert renditions. "Livingston's Gone to Texas" is a remake of Buffett's own song that originally appeared on the 1971 High Cumberland Jubilee (although this album would not be released until 1976). The version on Living & Dying in ¾ Time is a slower tempo, more country-sounding presentation and is missing the penultimate verse of the original.
"West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown" is the first song that Buffett uses the word "fuck." (The only other Buffett song that word is used in is "Overkill" from the 1996 album Banana Wind.) An original Canadian promotional release has "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown God's Own Drunk Restricted - Not For Radio Play" printed on corner of the album cover.
Track listing
Side A:
- "Pencil Thin Moustache"[1] (Jimmy Buffett) – 2:47
- "Come Monday" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:06
- "Ringling, Ringling" (Jimmy Buffett) – 2:32
- "Brahma Fear" (Jimmy Buffett) – 4:05
- "Brand New Country Star" (V. Arnold, Jimmy Buffett) – 2:40
- "Livingston's Gone to Texas" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:28
Side B:
- "The Wino and I Know" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:00
- "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown" (Jimmy Buffett) – 2:34
- "Saxophones" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:18
- "Ballad of Spider John" (Willis Alan Ramsey) – 4:26
- "God's Own Drunk" (Lord Buckley) – 6:19
Personnel
The Second Coral Reefer Band:
- Jimmy Buffett: Acoustic guitar
- Reggie Young: Electric guitar
- Lanny Fiel: Acoustic, Electric and slide guitar
- Doyle Gresham: Pedal steel
- Tommy Cogbill: Bass
- Mike Utley: Keyboards
- Sammy Creason: Drums and bodyguard
- Greg "Fingers" Taylor: Harmonica
- Ferrell Morris: Congas, Vibes and other little goodies
- Don Gant, Buzz Cason, Bergen White: Background vocals
- Strings and horns arranged by: Bergen White
- Horns on "Saxophones" by: Billy Puett
Singles
- "Saxophones" b/w "Ringling Ringling" (Released on Dunhill D-4378 in January 1974)
- "Come Monday" b/w "Wino And I Know" (Released on Dunhill D-4385 in April 1974)
- "Pencil Thin Moustache"[1] b/w "Brand New Country Star" (Released on Dunhill D-15011 in August 1974)
The single release of "Saxophones" was different from the album version with an added horn section as well as a background vocal section, making the track much more jazzy.
Notes
- ^ a b c The song title originally used the British spelling moustache, but subsequent releases have used the usual U.S. spelling mustache.
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