Last Mango in Paris
Encyclopedia
Last Mango in Paris is the 15th studio album
by American
popular music singer-songwriter
Jimmy Buffett
. It was released in June 1985
as MCA
5600 and was produced by Buffett and noted country music
producer Tony Brown
. The album represented continuation of Buffett's shift toward a more country sound begun with 1984's Riddles in the Sand
. The title of the album is a play on the title of the 1972 movie Last Tango in Paris
.
, Marshall Chapman
, and/or Michael Utley
. He recorded one song, "Frank and Lola," which he had written with Steve Goodman
who died in 1984. Buffett dedicated the album to Goodman and this would be the last Goodman song Buffett would record . "Desperation Samba (Halloween in Tijuana)" features the sound of a whip cracking performed by actor Harrison Ford
, a reminder of Ford's use of the whip in the Indiana Jones
movies. Buffett recorded a live version the song for his 2003 greatest hits
collection Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
. The song "Last Mango in Paris" was written about Captain Tony Tarracino
, a well-known Key West
, Florida
saloon keeper, and live versions of the song appear on Live by the Bay
and Feeding Frenzy
. Singer Glenn Frey makes a vocal cameo at the end of the song he co-wrote with Buffett, "Gypsies In The Palace".
album chart and #7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The song "If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me" hit #16 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #37 Adult Contemporary
and "Please Bypass this Heart" hit #50 Country.
." Although none of the album's songs are part of "The Big 8" that Buffett has played at almost all of his concerts, "Last Mango in Paris," "Gypsies in the Palace," and "Jolly Mon Sing" were played at many concerts in the 1980s and 1990s and are featured on the Live by the Bay
concert video and the Feeding Frenzy
live album.
Side 2:
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"...
. It was released in June 1985
1985 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.-January–March:*January 1 - The newest music video channel, VH-1, debuts on American cable. It is aimed at an older demographic than its sister station, MTV...
as 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...
5600 and was produced by Buffett and noted country music
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...
producer Tony Brown
Tony Brown (record producer)
Tony Brown is an American country music record producer.He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina.Brown played piano for Elvis Presley. He toured with the TCB Band for much of Presley's final two years and was a part of the 1976 "Jungle Room" recording sessions at Graceland...
. The album represented continuation of Buffett's shift toward a more country sound begun with 1984's Riddles in the Sand
Riddles in the Sand
Riddles in the Sand is the 14th studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released in September 1984 as MCA 5512 and was produced by noted country music producer Jimmy Bowen and represented a concerted shift toward a more country sound by Buffett...
. The title of the album is a play on the title of the 1972 movie Last Tango in Paris
Last Tango in Paris
Last Tango in Paris is a 1972 Italian romantic drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci which portrays a recent American widower who takes up an anonymous sexual relationship with a young, soon-to-be-married Parisian woman...
.
Songs
The album contains no song written solely by Buffett; he co-wrote most of the songs with Will JenningsWill Jennings
Wilbur H. "Will" Jennings is an American songwriter who is popularly known for writing the lyrics for "My Heart Will Go On", the theme for the film Titanic .-Life and education:...
, Marshall Chapman
Marshall Chapman
Marshall Chapman is an American singer-songwriter and author.Chapman, the daughter of a cotton mill owner, was taken to an Elvis Presley concert in 1957 and says the experience changed her from a southern debutante to a nascent rock and roller...
, and/or 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...
. He recorded one song, "Frank and Lola," which he had written with Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve 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:...
who died in 1984. Buffett dedicated the album to Goodman and this would be the last Goodman song Buffett would record . "Desperation Samba (Halloween in Tijuana)" features the sound of a whip cracking performed by actor Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
, a reminder of Ford's use of the whip in the Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
Colonel Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr., Ph.D. is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Indiana Jones franchise. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg created the character in homage to the action heroes of 1930s film serials...
movies. Buffett recorded a live version the song for his 2003 greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
collection 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...
. The song "Last Mango in Paris" was written about Captain Tony Tarracino
Tony Tarracino
Tony Tarracino , commonly called Captain Tony, was an American saloonkeeper, boat captain, politician, gambler, and storyteller in Key West, Florida...
, a well-known Key West
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
saloon keeper, and live versions of the song appear on Live by the Bay
Live by the Bay
Live by the Bay is a live video by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in 1985 by MCA Entertainment. The 87-minute video was recorded from back to back concerts in Miami on August 16th and 17th 1985 at Miami Marine Stadium and is the first concert...
and Feeding Frenzy
Feeding Frenzy: Jimmy Buffett Live!
Feeding Frenzy: Jimmy Buffett Live! is a live album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in October 1990 as MCA 10022...
. Singer Glenn Frey makes a vocal cameo at the end of the song he co-wrote with Buffett, "Gypsies In The Palace".
Chart performance
Last Mango in Paris reached #53 on 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 and #7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The song "If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me" hit #16 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #37 Adult Contemporary
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...
and "Please Bypass this Heart" hit #50 Country.
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 53 |
Critical reception
Reviewer Johnny Loftus of Allmusic argues that, "Last Mango in Paris host of high points make it essential for anyone enamored of Buffett's live shows, or even the casual fan looking to expand beyond Songs You Know by HeartSongs You Know by Heart
Songs You Know by Heart: Jimmy Buffett's Greatest Hit is the 18th album and the first greatest hits compilation by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released in January 1985 as MCA 5633...
." Although none of the album's songs are part of "The Big 8" that Buffett has played at almost all of his concerts, "Last Mango in Paris," "Gypsies in the Palace," and "Jolly Mon Sing" were played at many concerts in the 1980s and 1990s and are featured on the Live by the Bay
Live by the Bay
Live by the Bay is a live video by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in 1985 by MCA Entertainment. The 87-minute video was recorded from back to back concerts in Miami on August 16th and 17th 1985 at Miami Marine Stadium and is the first concert...
concert video and the Feeding Frenzy
Feeding Frenzy: Jimmy Buffett Live!
Feeding Frenzy: Jimmy Buffett Live! is a live album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in October 1990 as MCA 10022...
live album.
Track listing
Side 1:- "Everybody's on the Run" (Jimmy Buffett, Marshall ChapmanMarshall ChapmanMarshall Chapman is an American singer-songwriter and author.Chapman, the daughter of a cotton mill owner, was taken to an Elvis Presley concert in 1957 and says the experience changed her from a southern debutante to a nascent rock and roller...
, Will JenningsWill JenningsWilbur H. "Will" Jennings is an American songwriter who is popularly known for writing the lyrics for "My Heart Will Go On", the theme for the film Titanic .-Life and education:...
, Michael 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...
) – 3:26 - "Frank and Lola" (Jimmy Buffett, 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:...
) – 3:16 - "Perfect Partner" (Marshall Chapman) – 3:05
- "Please Bypass This Heart" (Jimmy Buffett, Will Jennings, Michael Utley) – 3:18
- "Gypsies in the PalaceGypsies in the Palace"Gypsies in the Palace" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1985 album Last Mango in Paris and was his first of three charting singles off that album...
" (Jimmy Buffett, Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
, Will Jennings) – 5:07
Side 2:
- "Desperation Samba (Halloween in Tijuana)" (Jimmy Buffett, Will Jennings, Timothy B. SchmitTimothy B. SchmitTimothy Bruce Schmit is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as bass guitar player and singer for Poco and the Eagles. Schmit has also worked for decades as a session musician and solo artist.-Early career:Raised in Sacramento, Schmit began playing in the folk music group...
) – 3:31 - "If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me" (Jimmy Buffett, Will Jennings, Michael Utley) – 3:25
- "Last Mango in Paris" (Jimmy Buffett, Marshall Chapman, Will Jennings, Michael Utley) – 3:14
- "Jolly Mon Sing" (Jimmy Buffett, Will Jennings, Michael Utley) – 3:15
- "Beyond the End" (Jimmy Buffett, Marshall Chapman, Will Jennings) – 4:47
Personnel
The Coral Reefer Band:- Jimmy BuffettJimmy 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"...
: Vocals, guitar - Matt Betton: Drums
- Josh LeoJosh LeoJosh Leo is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer active in Nashville, Tennessee.Leo was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and subsequently became a guitarist of the short-lived Eddie Boy Band...
: Guitar - Robert GreenidgeRobert GreenidgeRobert Greenidge is a steelpan player in the United States and a member of popular music singer Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band and the instrumental group Club Trini.-Career:...
: Steel drums, percussion - Vince MelamedVince MelamedVince Melamed is an American keyboardist and songwriter who currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He was born in New York, and moved to Los Angeles at an early age. Vince has appeared with many bands as keyboardist...
: Keyboards - Greg "Fingers" Taylor: Harmonica
- 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...
: Keyboards - Sam ClaytonSam ClaytonSam Clayton has been a singer and percussionist, primarily focusing on drums; conga and djembe, throughout his musical career. He is best known for his membership as percussionist and supporting vocalist with the American rock band Little Feat since 1972....
: Congas, percussion, background vocals
- Larry ByromLarry ByromLarry Byrom is an American guitarist who has written, recorded, and toured with acts like Steppenwolf, Ratchell, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Peter Frampton, Eddie Rabbit and Tanya Tucker.- References :...
: Electric guitar - Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
: Guitar, background vocals - Emory Gordy, Jr.Emory Gordy, Jr.Emory Gordy, Jr., born December 25, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American musician and music producer. Since 1989, he has been married to country music artist Patty Loveless. Gordy was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1992...
: Bass, electric bass - John Jarvis: Keyboards
- Mark O'ConnorMark O'ConnorMark O'Connor is an American bluegrass, jazz, country and classical violinist fiddler, composer and music teacher. O'Connor's music is wide-ranging, critically acclaimed, and he has received numerous awards for both his playing and his composition...
: Violin - 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 guitar - Roy OrbisonRoy OrbisonRoy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
: Background vocals - Marshall ChapmanMarshall ChapmanMarshall Chapman is an American singer-songwriter and author.Chapman, the daughter of a cotton mill owner, was taken to an Elvis Presley concert in 1957 and says the experience changed her from a southern debutante to a nascent rock and roller...
: Background vocals - Larry Lee: Background vocals
- Wendy Waldman: Background vocals
- John Edwards: Background vocals
- Timothy B. SchmitTimothy B. SchmitTimothy Bruce Schmit is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as bass guitar player and singer for Poco and the Eagles. Schmit has also worked for decades as a session musician and solo artist.-Early career:Raised in Sacramento, Schmit began playing in the folk music group...
: Background vocals - Harry Stinson: Background vocals
- Pam TillisPam TillisPamela Yvonne "Pam" Tillis is an American country music singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis....
: Background vocals
Singles
- "Gypsies In The Palace" b/w "Jolly Mon Sing" (Released on MCAMCA RecordsMCA 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...
52607 in June 1985) - "If The Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me" b/w "Frank And Lola" (Released on MCAMCA RecordsMCA 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...
52664 in August 1985) - "Please Bypass This Heart" b/w "Beyond The End" (Released on MCAMCA RecordsMCA 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...
52752 in January 1986)