By Brent Thompson

You rarely use the words “Jimmy Buffett” and “deep cuts” in the same phrase, but it’s 2020 so all bets are off anyway. During the COVID hiatus, the Sultan of Sand asked his fans to submit lesser-known songs from his catalog that they wanted to hear and the response was overwhelming. The result is the 15-track Songs You Don’t Know By Heart [Mailboat Records], a play on his appropriately-titled, greatest hits album Songs You Know By Heart. Produced by Coral Reefer Mac McAnally – along with the help of Peter Mayer and Eric Darken – the collection finds Buffett re-creating songs that have stood the test of time even if they missed the Top 40. Tracks such as “Twelve Volt Man,” “Tin Cup Chalice,” “Little Miss Magic” and “The Captain and the Kid” are given a fresh coat of paint while maintaining their original integrity. A series of videos – produced by Buffett’s daughter, Delaney – accompanies the project for those seeking the full experience. If you’re not already a Buffett fan, this album likely won’t sway you to the land of margaritas, palm trees and Hawaiian shirts. But those in the fold will find Songs You Don’t Know By Heart to be a treasure trove of well-worn material.