Customer Reviews

Ramblin' Boy (US Release)

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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," "I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound," "Goin' To The Zoo," "Ramblin' Boy," and "Bottle Of Wine" are surely loved by millions of people who have no idea who wrote them. Surprisingly, the original versions of all those classics appeared on Paxton's first two albums, collected here on CD for what I believe is the first time. (Technically they're his second and third albums, but the one that preceded them is so obscure even Paxton himself has said it "doesn't count.") These recordings are spare and fairly low key compared to many of the more famous cover versions, but that just adds to their charm in my opinion. And the classics are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Tom Paxton.

While there's a lot here, this is not a "for completists only" collection. Several of the songs found here that aren't world famous are just as good as the ones that are. "A Rumblin' In The Land," "Ain't That News," and "I'm The Man That Built The Bridges" are all high on my list of the greatest protest songs. Elsewhere, Paxton tackles a number of early `60s topics which are once again all too relevant, such as unemployment ("Standing On the Edge of Town"), right-wing media bias ("Daily News" and "What Did You Learn In School Today?"), public complacency in the face of injustice ("We Didn't Know") and, most eerily, a government lying its way into war ("Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation"). Paxton didn't lean as heavily on love songs back then as he does now, but his romantic side is well represented too, with "I'm Bound For the Mountains and the Sea" and "Hold On To Me Babe," among others.

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. They do show their age as a result, but nonetheless, this is arguably second only to Bob Dylan's second album as the most important collection of original, modern folksongs now in print.

Except for a privately-produced (Paxton's own term) LP of which only 2,000 copies were made, Tom Paxton's first two LPs were Ramblin' Boy and Ain't That News. I have the honor of owning both LPs. Ramblin' Boy, which consists of the first fifteen tracks on this CD, continues to astonish me. The political songs don't wear very well, but Ramblin' Boy, Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound, and The Last Thing on My Mind are truly great songs, and When Morning Breaks, My Lady's a Wild, Flying Dove, I'm Bound for the Mountains and the Sea, and Goin' to the Zoo keep them good company.

To note that Ain't That News isn't quite as good as Ramblin' Boy is not much of a criticism. Bottle of Wine is, of course, a classic. Hold on to Me, Babe is a wonderful ballad about missing somebody who's left your life. The Natural Girl for Me and The Name of the Game Is Stud are two wonderfully exuberant songs, and I'm the Man That Built the Bridges, which had given its name to that privately-produced LP, is a celebration of ordinary Americans and the great things that they've accomplished.

Barry Kornfeld and Felix Pappalardi accompanied Tom on both LPs. Listen to what three good musicians, one of whom is a great songwriter, can accomplish without benefit of a fancy production.

Collecting Tom Paxton's first 2 public albums in one collection presents both the yin and yang of the folk song revival. Timeless songs like "Ramblin' Boy" still echo, while some of the more political songs that Paxton himself refer to as "short shelf-life songs" show their age. Still, these two albums are a snapshot of America during that period that included the Civil Rights Movement and the debacle known as the Vietnam War. Those who didn't live through it may not understand "what all the fuss was about", but the country was fractured and bleeding in a way that has (fortunately) never happened since -- not even in the current environment surrounding the War in Iraq. Listening to these songs again brings back memories of those days, of marches and confrontations, of hopelessness and hope. Maybe listening to them can remind us of what this country REALLY stands for.

Tom Paxton remains -- in the company of people like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan -- one of the finest crafters of songs that we have ever known.

Tom Paxton's work influenced many in the folk era. The best of his songwriting still stands up well, while the topical songs bring a pleasant smile to many that were around during that era. For example the lyrics of "What Did You Learn In School, Today?" can still apply to today's world, "I learned that Washington never told a lie; I learned that soldiers seldom die; I learned that everybody's free & that's what the teacher said to me. I learned that policemen are my friends; I learned that justice never ends; I learned that murderers die for their crime even if we make a mistake sometimes." Tom's song "The Last Thing On My Mind" is a classic tune recorded by Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Neil Diamond & Marianne Faithful. In this original version, the lovely melody and austere guitar make this a timeless track, "You've got reasons aplenty for going, this I know, for the weeds have been steadily growing. Please don't go." Paxton's voice is lovely. Peter, Paul & Mary recorded "Going to the Zoo" on their Peter, Paul And Mommy children's album. It's a lot of fun, "We stayed all day, we're getting sleepy, Sitting in the car getting sleep sleep sleepy." The title track of the first LP, "Ramblin' Boy" is a sweet track that sounds inspired by Woody Guthrie. Eric Andersen recently recorded it on his Waves CD. Paxton's second album "Ain't That News" has more topical gems like "Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation." It also contains the classic "Bottle of Wine" that has been recorded by Judy Collins, the Kingston Trio and Danko/Fjeld/Andersen on their Ridin' on the Blinds CD. Paxton's anti-war irony still rings loudly on political songs like "Buy A Gun for Your Son," "Hallelujah, dads & mommies, cowboys, rebels, Yanks & commies, buy yourself some real red-blooded fun. If you want to make the grade you've got to have a hand grenade & a fully automatic G.I. gun. So buy a gun for your son right away, sir. Shake his hand like a man & let him play, sir. Let his little mind expand, place a weapon in his hand for the skills he learns today will someday pay, sir." "Every Time" is a gorgeous ballad that speaks of the eternal nature of human love. Having Tom's first two Elektra studio albums on one CD is a treasure for those who love the folk sound. I do! Enjoy!

Tom Paxton is a hero of the 'folk scare' of the fifties and sixties - "What Did You Learn in School Today" is as meaningful in the present culture as during the Vietnam era. "Ramblin' Boy" evokes nostalgia and tears as it was possible to BE a ramblin' boy (or girl) in the late fifties rather than a virtual one.

It is no coincidence that it is Tom's love and loss songs that have lasted 40 years. Few songs are as poignant and touching as Last Thing On My Mind or I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound. These beautifully meld lyric and tune, creating the kind of song that sounds as if it's been around for years the first time you hear it. Great songs, well performed, with a few other gems as well. Tom's voice has never sounded as lonesome and sorrowful as he did back then; his later recordings lack the weariness and sound much more "produced."

Also appearing on this CD is his touching paean "Fare Thee Well, Cisco", a beautifully rendered remembrance of Cisco Houston. Cisco was unfortunately already on the road to obscurity, and Tom wanted to reverse that unjustifiable slide. Let's hope this release helps that. Look him up on the web and listen to what Tom was honoring!

However, these CDs take Tom's first two LPs and give you 29 tracks of his limited vocals and self-righteous lyrics. Listening to 1 side of 1 LP would probably be fine. But 4 sides in a row is just too much. There is not enough variety, not enough ferocity, and way too much smug self-congratulation and arogance. Tom is a little before my time, through I grew up on versions of his songs by others. But listening now to his juvenile political and economic rants is much like listening to a lot of other music of its day; time capsule stuff, but it's hard to imagine what the fuss was about. They are not clever, not smart, not hard-hitting, but a bit smarmy and whiny. And the irony of ironies is that as millions of parents reject the liberal ideology of public school, his What Did You Learn In School Today could be turned 180 degrees. Who's indoctrinating now????

Sound quality very good, original LP notes included, nice booklet. Good price and good value (not allthat much more than the 2 LPs cost back then), but I will pick and choose which ones I listen to regularly.