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Ramblin' Boy

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Ramblin' Boy
Studio album by
Released1964
RecordedMastertone Studios, NYC
GenreFolk
Length50:19 (reissue)
LabelElektra
ProducerPaul Rothchild
Tom Paxton chronology
Ramblin' Boy
(1964)
Ain't That News!
(1965)

Ramblin' Boy is the debut album by American folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton, released in 1964.[1]

History

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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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [1]

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

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Track listing

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All songs by Tom Paxton unless otherwise noted.

  1. "A Job of Work" – 2:44
  2. "A Rumblin' in the Land" – 2:59
  3. "When Morning Breaks" – 2:55
  4. "Daily News" – 2:17
  5. "What Did You Learn in School Today?" – 1:44
  6. "The Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:05
  7. "Harper" – 2:52
  8. "Fare Thee Well, Cisco" – 3:04
  9. "I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" – 3:41
  10. "High Sheriff of Hazard" (Paxton, Traditional) – 2:10
  11. "My Lady's a Wild Flying Dove" – 3:11
  12. "Standing on the Edge of Town" – 1:43
  13. "I'm Bound for the Mountains and the Sea" – 3:04
  14. "Goin' to the Zoo" – 2:29
  15. "Ramblin' Boy" – 3:59

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Leggett, Steven. "Ramblin' Boy > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  2. ^ Collector's Choice reissue line notes. Richie Unterberger. 2002