American Troubadour

• Artist: Tom Paxton
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 29, 2003
• Type: Compilation (best of), Children
• Genre: Folk

Review

Tom Paxton may well be the most unsung songwriter to emerge from the so-called folk revival of the 1960s. His clear, pleasant voice and simple, leisurely melodies belie an often deeply satirical base, although he's no stranger to satiric romantic honesty, either, as his best-known song, the beautiful "The Last Thing on My Mind," aptly demonstrates. American Troubadour collects songs recorded in the mid-'80s to early '90s, a time when most of Paxton's early catalog was out of print. Paxton is a deceptively simple writer, and at his best he produces songs that seem to have existed forever, for example the album opener "Hobo in My Mind" and the traditional-sounding "My Ramblin' Boy." "Did You Hear John Hurt," a song for the legendary blues songster, is a clear highlight, as are the dignified readings Paxton gives two old folk songs, "The Foggy, Foggy Dew" and "The Golden Vanity." His 1960s recordings probably have the slight edge, but this is a fine compilation of an American treasure. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Hero in My Mind	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:30)
My Ramblin' Boy	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:35)
This World Goes Round and Round	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:27)
My Lady's a Wild Flying Dove (Lyrics)	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:07)
Outward Bound (Lyrics)	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:37)
The Thought Stayed Free	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:14)
What a Friend You Are (Lyrics)	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:34)
I Give You the Morning (Lyrics)	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:44)
Danville Girl	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:22)
Did You Hear John Hurt?	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:29)
Whose Garden Was This?	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:40)
Let the Wild Wind Blow	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:25)
One Ship Is Sailing	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:53)
The Foggy Dew	Traditional	Tom Paxton	(1:49)
I Can't Help But Wonder (Where I'm Bound)	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:17)
We Have Each Other	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:30)
The Subway Song	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:34)
I Can't Sleep	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:21)
Bound for the Mountains and the Sea	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:13)
The Golden Vanity	Traditional	Tom Paxton	(3:04)
As She Rides By	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:04)
Wish I Had a Troubadour	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(3:06)
Suzy Is a Rocker	Tom Paxton	Tom Paxton	(2:38)

Credits

Tom Paxton (Arranger), Richard Stumpf (Executive Producer), John Crosby (Liner Notes)