Includes liner notes by Don Blanding. Also available with A-1-A on 1 cassette. Personnel: Jimmy Buffett (vocals, guitar); James Taylor , Steve Sykes (vocals, guitar); Andrew McMahon (vocals, keyboards); Dave Loggins, Juan Cadiz, Debbie McCall, Hugh Taylor, Paulette Brown, Alex Taylor, Venetta Fields, Brenda Bryant (vocals); Wilfred Tuilt, Barry Chance (guitar); Don Douglas (banjo); Greg "Fingers" Taylor (harmonica); Bill Jones (recorder); Mike Utley (keyboards); Russ Kunkel (drums); Jackie Dangler, Johnny Montezuma, Steve Forman (percussion). After breaking into the mainstream with his hit "Margaritaville" two years earlier, Jimmy Buffett stuck to his formula of mixing fun, up-tempo songs with slower, reflective ones. Although the album contains concert favorites including the playful "Fins" and the Caribbean-flavored title track, it seems as if Buffett doesn't have as many deep insights to share on this release. The vocal help from James Taylor on "Treat Her Like a Lady" adds to the singalong chorus, but overall the ballads are uninteresting. As a result, this album marks a low point for Jimmy Buffett in a decade in which he delivered one solid album after another. However, Volcano is notable for its inclusion of a wonderful children's song ("Chanson Por les Petits Enfantes"), complete with nursery rhyme lyrics. This album is for Parrotheads only, as most of the popular tracks are available on compilations like Songs You Know By Heart. ~ Vik Iyengar
