NEW YORK, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett decided not to take the "easy" route on his new album, "Take the Weather With You."
"The most logical thing would've been to make 'License to Chill 2,'" Buffett says referring to his chart-topping 2004 album filled with duets with some of country music's biggest stars.
"I've never been one to try to force the magic, so I just wanted to write some good songs and get some good songs by other people and just make a Jimmy Buffett record -- which is just what I did."
Taking its title from a Crowded House song, "Take the Weather With You" features Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler and the British group Gomez. Knopfler, Mary Gauthier, Gillian Welch and Jesse Winchester contributed songs.
Buffett is booked Thursday morning on NBC's "Today" show and kicks off a six-show U.S. tour Oct. 19 in Santa Barbara, Calif.
