Ramblin' Boy
Ramblin' Boy is the debut album by American folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton, released in 1964.[1]
| Ramblin' Boy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Release date | 1964 | |||
| Recorded | Mastertone Studios, NYC | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Length | 50:19 (reissue) | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Producer | Paul Rothchild | |||
| Tom Paxton chronology | ||||
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History
    
Ramblin' Boy is referred to as Paxton's debut album, since it was his first album released on a major record label (Elektra Records), although he had previously released a live album recorded at The Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village entitled, I'm the Man That Built the Bridges (which was released on the small Gaslight label in 1962).[2]
Three songs from Ramblin' Boy were frequently covered by other artists – the title song, "I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" and "The Last Thing on My Mind". The latter song remains one of Paxton's most well-known compositions.
Reception
    
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating | 
| Allmusic | |
Music critic Steven Leggett of Allmusic commented in his review that the album sounds "rather dated these days" due to the topical issues of the songs. He also writes: "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."[1]
Reissues
    
- Ramblin' Boy was reissued on CD by Collectors' Choice in 2002 and 2008.
 - Ramblin' Boy was reissued on CD by Elektra in 2005.
 
Track listing
    
All songs by Tom Paxton unless otherwise noted.
- "A Job of Work" – 2:44
 - "A Rumblin' in the Land" – 2:59
 - "When Morning Breaks" – 2:55
 - "Daily News" – 2:17
 - "What Did You Learn in School Today?" – 1:44
 - "The Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:05
 - "Harper" – 2:52
 - "Fare Thee Well, Cisco" – 3:04
 - "I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" – 3:41
 - "High Sheriff of Hazard" (Paxton, Traditional) – 2:10
 - "My Lady's a Wild Flying Dove" – 3:11
 - "Standing on the Edge of Town" – 1:43
 - "I'm Bound for the Mountains and the Sea" – 3:04
 - "Goin' to the Zoo" – 2:29
 - "Ramblin' Boy" – 3:59
 
Personnel
    
- Tom Paxton – vocals, acoustic guitar
 - Barry Kornfeld – banjo, second acoustic guitar, harmonica
 - Felix Pappalardi – guitarrón
 - Jac Holzman - production supervisor
 
References
    
- Leggett, Steven. "Ramblin' Boy > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
 - Collector's Choice reissue line notes. Richie Unterberger. 2002
 
