In praise of Tom Paxton

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 06 Mar 25 - 07:10 PM

Thanks MaJoC ; that’s the one!

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 05 Mar 25 - 02:17 PM

There y'go: I Bought Me A President, uploaded by Rick Pollay.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 05 Mar 25 - 02:06 PM

Somewhere else I saw a very new song he has written about Trump - obviously not a fan! Has anyone got it?

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 25 - 10:28 PM

No doubt about it. Tom Paxton is a must see if he plays any where nearby. I haven't seen him play in a few years, but glad he's still on the road.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Feb 25 - 04:36 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfJ0Q3TCGN8 What didyou learn in school today

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 04:18 PM

It appears that "He May Be Slow" is from this recording. That ANOTHER Tom Paxton song I'll have to learn.

The Paxton Report

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,A friend
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 04:02 PM

KenM,

The song is "He May Be Slow."

He May Be Slow

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: KenM
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 03:48 PM

I'm primarily an academic administrator these days but back in the day when I was more active as a classroom instructor in social work degree programs, "She Sits on the Table" was required listening im my classes. So was another song from the same album whose title eludes me but it was about a mentally challenged boy. I remember a line of the chorus went, " he may be slow but he's right on time..."

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Colin Randall
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 01:31 AM

Tom has a fan in Abu Dhabi, too.

And before this marvellous thread slips from view for another eight years, that fan would like to say that his own memories of seeing and once meeting Tom have been stirred by other people's reminscences here.
I can hardly believe that when I first went to see him, all of 35 years ago in Durham (UK), I half-expected to find it a bore, having persuaded myself that I'd grown out of him, that he was no longer relevant, however much I'd liked him before. I am delighted to say that I was completely wrong; the concert was outstanding and Tom's performance - with all its humour, romance, commitment to social justice and sheer class - won me over anew.

I hope no one minds that I have reproduced a few of the comments from here in my own tribute to Tom, posted at some unearthly hour this morning at
Salut! Live

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 04:58 PM

The blues man was John Hammond. Powerful performer. Senior moment.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 04:42 PM

"I love those dear hearts and gentle people," of whom Tom Paxton is definitely one. Though I had heard his music and performed a number of his songs over the years, I had not seen him perform until about three years ago at the University of California San Diego campus. He appeared with Mike Seeger and the dreaded Louden Wainwright III.

I say "dreaded" only because with "Loud," you're never quite sure what happens next. Funny guy. It was a great show by all, including one exceptional blues singer whose name escapes me. Tom and Mike stayed afterward for a long time, chatting, autographing and, of course, selling. Tom was such an approachable and thoroughly likeable person that everyone went home feeling like they had just made a new friend. Perhaps they had.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Newport Boy
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 01:14 PM

You're right about Tom seeming to perform to you personally.

We saw Tom at Colston Hall in Bristol (2000 seats) - we were in row 5 of the stalls. My daughter was about 5, so that makes it 1967 or 68. Tom sang The Marvellous Toy, finishing quietly on guitar, and Cathy stood up and announced in piping tone, "My Daddy sings that song".

Tom smiled and gave a little bow to me, while our 7-year-old son covered his head in embarrassment.

Cathy reminded him of the incident in 2005, and he was good enough to pretend to remember.

Phil

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Celtaddict
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 12:14 PM

I have heard and admired Tom Paxton songs for years, of course, but on Sunday night I had the privilege of hearing him live in concert for the first time. He participated in a special concert at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, with Liam Clancy; Odetta and Oscar Brand were among the other performers. I saw him around before the concert and kept thinking I should know who he was. I was already a fan of his songs (I believe Judy Collins wrote about a man who could write both a good love song and a hard-hitting protest song) but was absolutely dazzled when he was onstage. Dazzled seems an odd word, since he was very lowkey, personable, as if he were singing to me in my own kitchen, but dazzled I was.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: topical tom
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 10:35 AM

Just to add a bit that I forgot, although other catters referred to it, Tom can move an audience from tears to joy in a matter of minutes and one still comes away with a happy feeling. Only Eric Bogle and Pete Seeger can do so to such a degree, in my opinion.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Bill S from Adelaide
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 08:59 AM

Anybody remember him at the first Bardney festival in 71, one man and a guitar holding 30000 people spellbound, I've been a fan forever.
We were invited to the Letterkenny festival in 81 with the cloggies, a great time to represent England during the hunger strikes just after a couple had died. We had no bother except a bit of stirring from a showband which roused nobody. Even in the local IRA bar, we were invited to join "tis a great loife". But there was a tension in the air from the "men with guns".
Tom played the main concert, avoiding any politics except he sang "Peace will come" as an encore. The memory of it still makes my hair stand on end, the whole audience rose and bellowed the song, big Irish farmers and nuns all crying openly, how Tom lasted as long as he did, I don't know, but he left the stage in tears. If you see him, ask him if he remembers it, I'm sure he will. I always will.
That night, every banner and photo in town just went, the fear had gone for a while.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: kendall
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 07:49 AM

Any male who beats a woman or child is nothing but a goddamn coward. Note that I did not say man.He is not a man.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 07:39 AM

Tough one to watch: turned it into a blue clicky:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yRn8J3G9GGo

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: eddie1
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 04:53 AM

Last year I was involved in making a radio programme with Berkshire Women's Aid with interviews and music. The women and children chose and indeed performed some of the tracks, I chose the rest.
This year, thanks to Mudcat, I discovered this:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yRn8J3G9GGo

In many ways it would have been perfect for the programme but I would have had great difficulty in continuing,

Eddie

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: kendall
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 10:27 PM

And he did that one with such feeling!

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Newport Boy
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 03:49 PM

You're right, Roger - I'd forgotten that one.

Phil

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 02:16 PM

Newport Boy,

Sorry, but not his shortest "Short Shelf Life" SOng. He wrote one after George Bush's election (I believe). A brief guitar intro and the word "Shit".

Big RiB

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: kendall
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 02:13 PM

There is, in the works, a new double CD as a tribute to Utah Phillips. There are many performers who have donated a song for the CD, and Tom is one of them. Most of the songs are Utah's, but a few that are not. Pete Seeger wrote one just for the CD. When it is released, the details will be posted here.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,aeola
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 02:13 PM

I had the privilege of meeting Tom Paxton at the first of the Coombe Abbey folk fests, as there were very few people there it was quite an intimate atmosphere, especially the workshops. A real 'gent' and excellent artist.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: KenM
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 02:03 PM

BTW.....I think you can download the short-shelf songs from his website.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: KenM
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 01:57 PM

Paxton is an absolute delight on record/cd but especially in concert where that wonderful sense of humor (much like Tom Rush's) is on display. The last time I saw him he did a wonderful paraody of Last Thing on My Mind. Here's how it goes:

Well I met a young girl at a folk club,
Like you do, Like you do,
So I bought her a drink and we chatted,
Wouldn't you? Wouldn't you?
And then after the show, she invited me home
And she said we were two of a kind
Then she played me every record that Tom Paxton ever made
And you know that was the last thing on my mind

One of my favorite Paxton albums is now out of print, "Tom Paxton 6" which has a wonderful collection of songs on it including "Jimmy Neuman", "Cindy's Crying" and a raucous song called "Saturday Night" which is in the same genre as "Wasn't That A Party?" but, I think, much better.

"Not Tonight, Marie" from a 70s album is a real hoot.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: topical tom
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 12:18 PM

GUEST: I stand corrected. Richard Farina did write "Birmingham Sunday". I have the cd "Under American Skies" and was privileged to hear it sung live by Tom and Anne. Another of his "short shelf songs" I like is "John Ashcroft and the Spirit of Justice". What a prolific craftsman of song!

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Newport Boy
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 12:04 PM

Re his short-shelf-life songs, my favourite is the Ballad of Spiro Agnew. It's also his shortest song (unless someone knows better).

Full song follows:


(Guitar intro - 8 bars)

I'll sing of Spiro Agnew, and all the things he's done..
.....


Phil

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 10:21 AM

Topical Tom,

You mentioned "Birmingham Sunday" as a Tom Paxton song. Although he sang it with Anne Hills on their CD of duets, it was written by Richard Farina.

"The Honor of Your Company," I think is my all-time favorite Paxton song. There are so many other great ones.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 08:37 AM

He's played all around me but never where I am when I'm there.

I first learned of him from a girl I was dating, way back in 1965/6. Even his short-shelf-life songs resonate later. And his rendition of "Sully's Bucket" continues to be one of my favorites.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,Anne
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 08:34 AM

We, in Scotland, have had the privilege of receiving many visits from Tom. He tells the story of his daughter, while a student in Scotland, telling someone that her father had written 'Last thing on my mind'and being told that this was not true as it was a traditional Scottish song! In the 1960s when the folk revival was in its infancy my brother David, who sang in a group called The Livingstones, brought Tom home for his dinner before a concert. As a youngster, I couldn't quite believe that this was Tom Paxton, sitting with our large family at the kitchen table, having home made soup and chatting easily with us all.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: KenM
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 11:45 PM

Last saw Tom in Chicago about two years ago with Cheryl Wheeler....as always a great show!!

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 06:40 PM

Topical Tom - "George Bush told the nation" must be one of the longest "Short shelf life songs" ever then, as it was originally written in the 60's as "Lyndon Johnson told the nation" vis-a-vis the Vietnam war, but then Tom re-cycled/updated it himself!
Last saw him in Glasgow this January, where I met several friends afterwards - all with that silly grin of reminiscence and sheer enjoyment on our faces. Seen him 3 times in Scotland over the last 3-4 years after an all-too-long gap of 30+ years!

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Betsy
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 02:19 PM

I haven't read many of the postings above .All I would say (as someone from the UK) you can't praise Tom Paxton highly enough for his contribution to the UK Folk revival .

Good on ya Tom

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 01:21 PM

Thanks for opening this thread. I have been fortunate to have seen Tom perform live many times and each event was a great pleasure. He has written and sung so many moving songs of peace, justice and love that I could never mention them all. There are his classics, "Rambling Boy","The Last Thing On MY Mind" and "The Honor of Your Company", to name but a few.Then there are the "short shelf songs" such as "George W. Bush Told The Nation"(though ,sad to say ,that is still all too pertinent), "I Don't Want a Bunny-wunny in my Widdle Wow Boat",and "Birmingham Sunday".He has also written many children's songs. My granddaughter's favorite was "Don't Slay That Potato". Tom is at the top of my all-time favorite singer-songwriter list. Though I have seen him many times I would never miss an opportunity to see him again.Simply an outstanding artist.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 28 Jun 08 - 08:56 PM

If you haven't heard it, I'd recommend the Best of Friends cd that Tom did with Ann Hills and Bob Gibson. Tom, of course, writes some of the most singable songs ever, but adding the harmonies here is really something special - and it's one of Gibson's best too.
Chris in Portland

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jun 08 - 08:28 PM

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Guldhamstern
Date: 28 Jun 08 - 07:52 PM

I first noticed who Tom was when i looked for the man who had wrote "I Give You The Morning". I bought The Things I notice Now on wich contains I Give You The Morning. But the song that really made that record was All Night Long. Two of the most beautiful song on the same album.

Then I heard a cover of Everytime on Patrick Sky:s debut, also a very beautiful song.

And that is my Paxton story so far. A short story with a couple of beautiful songs.


Notice that i don't have the english language in my blood.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: open mike
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 03:52 AM

Tom has appeared several times recently at the kate Wolf memorial fest.
and he has had several "albums" recently, too. One with Anne Hills, and
otheres listed here: http://www.tompaxton.com/discography.html
He also wrote a wonderful tribute to the firefighters on 9-11. He writes topical songs with info about current events, he calls them short shelf life songs. here is his web site: www.tompaxton.com

I sing several of his songs: Last Thing on my Mind, Wonder Where I'm Bound, Ramblin' Boy, and one he does with Anne Hills "Follow That Road" and I would like to learn My Pony Knows The Way, Early Snow, and LInks in the Chain. A friend once asked me to help him learn Outward Bound for a memorial to his brother, whose ashes the family planned to sprinkle on teh sea from a boat as it was outward bound...

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: topical tom
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 06:15 PM

My wife and I have been very fortunate to have seen Tom live several times at the Golem coffeehouse operated by Mike Regenstrief back in the 70's.We also saw him later at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival!What a marvellous singer-songwriter he is!From children's songs ("Don't Slay That Potatoe")to his short-shelf political-social comments ("One Million Lawters")he pens and sings all with great stage presence and sincerity. An entertainer to be seen if at all possible.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Slag
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 04:20 PM

I don't know, it just could be that a Tom Paxton song may be the last thing on my mind when I leave this world.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 04:02 PM

I'm always impressed with songwriters who can write songs that become even more meaningful as the years pass by. Tom is such a writer. His, "Whose Garden is this", strikes more chords now ( with talk of ecological disaster) than when it was written.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 03:31 PM

And it has to be one of his best if not THE best.   CHeck my review of it at Bill Hahn

I also featured it a few times on TRADITIONS on WFDU.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 11:36 AM

I thought I'd revive my old thread since Tom has a new CD out - his first one in many years. I know I'll be getting one soon. It's called "Comedians and Angels".


Tom Paxton

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: kendall
Date: 08 Apr 00 - 12:35 PM

Say ,Guest, in SW Scotland, do you know if Gaberlunzie still perform? Gordon set up a tour for me 10 years ago, but, I've lost track of them since.(By the way, Scotland is my second most favorite place in the world)

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 08 Apr 00 - 07:39 AM

G'day All,

I met Tom Paxton a few years back at the Illawarra Folk Festival, Jamberoo (New South Wales, Australia). He proved to be a warm and approachable person - as well as a great performer. I relation to Alan Francis' remark that British audiences consider him passé, his one (wry) complaint was that eveyone wanted him to sing all his old stuff they grew up with - instead of his interesting, current and modern latest songs!

I have a photograph I took of the final concert finale - with all the assembled performers on stage. Young Kate Fagan, of the local family group The Fagans, looks as if she is about to be swept up inrapture to the heavens ... standing on stage next to Tom Paxton!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,graham,,,,,ayr,,,,,,,,,,,
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 05:14 PM

re all this tom paxton praise stuff; couldn't agree more with all the sentiments expressed,, first saw tom in glasgow c69 & 70 ish again glasgow 78/9 ish. next ayr & irvine, ayrshire in 90's. "every time" t'was the best. but early this year, back in jan in glasgow as the finale to celtic connections festival he was on stage with archie fisher, dick gaughan, brian mcneil & eric bogle all together (at least in 2nd half) and t'was really, really good....... imagine all those folk all together, what a treat etc etc.......... we await the next visitation in this part of the world ie south/west/central scotland,(if you hadn't already worked that out) bye, gc ayr

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 02:28 AM

I've been privileged to hear Tom perform several times at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS, and even got a chance to speak with him very briefly after one of his "Story Songs" performances there. As Wesley said, way back up there, one of my heroes. Tom, we missed you in 1999--come back soon.

Lin

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Apr 00 - 06:50 PM

Message from Tom Paxton

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: kendall
Date: 06 Apr 00 - 06:05 PM

What always amazes me is his ability to write so many kinds of songs...unlike some other song writers, his dont all sound alike. For instance, The Marvelous Toy on one end, then On The Road From Shrebenitsa (sic) the tape is in the car so dont know how to spell it. From light and funny to downright sad and very moving.

Subject: RE: In praise of Tom Paxton
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Apr 00 - 02:16 AM

Wesley - yes, I'd like the address, please ([e-mail]). I'd like to find out more about playing out that way. I just booked another night at Poor David's Pub (June 8). Do you ever get out that way? It's a great place, I've enjoyed playing there and have always enjoyed the other acts I've played with there, too.