Ramblin’ Boy – TOM PAXTON****

A Job Of Work/A Rumblin’ In The Land/When Morning Breaks/Daily News/What Did You Learn In School Today/ The Last Thing On My Mind/Harper/Fare Thee Well Cisco/I Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound/High Sheriff Of Hazard/My Lady’s A Wild Flying Dove/Standing On The Edge Of Town/I’m Bound For The Mountain & The Sea/Goin’ To The Zoo/Ramblin’ Boy

Debut album from Tom Paxton, one of the leading lights in the mid sixties US folk revival. Ramblin’ Boy includes some of his best remembered songs that have been covered by a variety of artists.

Tom Paxton recorded several memorable albums, many of them a lot more topical than this initial recording, but this one really showcases his wonderful melodies and lyrics - some political, some romantic, and even a kid's song. For an introduction to his work, this is a good one. A must have for all folk enthusiasts.”

“Tom Paxton's debut album sounds rather dated these days for the simple reason that nothing grows old faster than topical material. What keeps Ramblin' Boy from being just another period piece from the 1960s are a trio of songs in which Paxton swings away from trying to be relevant and brings a kind of restless and romantic self-analysis to the table. The Last Thing On My Mind, Ramblin' Boy and I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound all exhibit a classic, timeless appeal simply because they work to the positive side of emotional ennui.”

“What an LP this is. After over forty years, such songs as Ramblin' Boy and The Last Thing On My Mind remain classics. They're complemented by such fine songs as Goin' To The Zoo, one of the best songs ever written for children, and When Morning Breaks. Paxton has always written his share of topical/political songs, which, by their nature, don't age well. But the other songs are as fresh today as when released.”

“Even if you've never heard of Tom Paxton, chances are you know at least one of his songs by heart: The Last Thing On My Mind, Goin' To The Zoo, and Ramblin' Boy are loved by millions of people who have no idea who wrote them. Surprisingly, the original versions of all these classics appeared on Paxton's first album. These recordings are spare and fairly low key compared to many of the more famous cover versions, but that just adds to their charm. And the classics are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Tom Paxton. Made at the height of the 1960s folk revival, these recordings are the ultimate product of that era, complete with low-budget production and stridently political lyrics.”