Ramblin' Boy
Studio album by Tom Paxton
Released	1964
Recorded	Mastertone Studios, NYC
Genre	Folk
Length	50:19 (reissue)
Label	Elektra
Producer	Paul 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

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

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
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

• 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.

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

• Tom Paxton – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Barry Kornfeld – banjo, second acoustic guitar, harmonica
• Felix Pappalardi – guitarrón
• Jac Holzman - production supervisor

References