Jimmy Buffett Enlisted Emmylou Harris, and a Steelpan Drum, for His Cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Mozambique’

Before his death, Jimmy Buffett put his distinct spin on one of the most Buffett-esque songs Bob Dylan ever wrote, “Mozambique,” even enlisting Emmylou Harris — who sang backup on the original — to reprise her role. The cover will appear on the upcoming posthumous Buffett album, Equal Strain on All Parts, out Nov. 3.

Dylan’s original, off 1976’s Desire, is plenty jaunty and sun-soaked on its own, though not without some ramshackle touches. Buffett and Harris keep that original energy while smoothing out some of the edges, most notably substituting the tender creak of the original song’s violin (played by Scarlet Rivera) for the dulcet plunk of the steelpan drum.

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The track also arrives with a behind-the-scenes music video that shows Buffett, Harris, and the band cutting the song in the studio. Some idyllic footage ostensibly from Mozambique itself is thrown in for good measure, though there’s a funny contrast between those shots and the ones of Buffett, draped in a scarf, and Harris, donning a coat and gloves, working in the studio.

Accompanying “Mozambique” is a new Buffett original, “University of Bourbon Street,” which features Preservation Hall Jazz Band. As its title suggests, the song finds Buffett recounting and celebrating the influence of his musical education in New Orleans.

Buffett completed Equal Strain on All Parts shortly before his death of skin cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 76. About a week after his death, three songs from the album were released, “Like My Dog,” “Bubbles Up,” and “My Gummie Just Kicked In,” which features Paul McCartney on bass. The album will also include an appearance from Angélique Kidjo.

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