Lyr Req: Talking Vietnam Potluck Blues (Tom Paxton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Talking Vietnam Potluck Blues (Tom Paxton
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 30 Nov 17 - 05:16 PM

In case Neillowe is still looking for a recording, Rhino 8122 79834-4, Tom Paxton Original Album Series, is a 5-CD set with five of Paxton's early albums; Ramblin' Boy, Outward Bound, Morning Again (that's the one with Pot Luck Blues), The Things I Notice Now, and 6.

Subject: Lyr Add: TALKING VIETNAM POTLUCK BLUES (T Paxton)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Nov 17 - 11:38 AM

The copy in the DT has numerous typos and other problems, so I thought I'd post a good copy here:


TALKING VIETNAM POTLUCK BLUES
As recorded by Tom Paxton on "Morning Again" (1968)

Now when I landed in Vietnam,
I hardly got to see Saigon.
They shaped us up and called the roll
And off we went on a long patrol,
Swappin' lies, swattin' flies,
Firin' the odd shot here and there.

The captain called a halt that night,
And we had chow by the pale moonlight.
A lovely dinner they planned for us
With a taste like a seat on a crosstown bus.
Some of the veterans just left theirs layin' in the cans for the Vietcong to find,
Deadlier than a land mine.

Well naturally somebody told a joke
And a couple o' the fellows began to smoke.
I took a whiff as the cloud rolled by
And my nose went up like an infield fly.
The captain, this blonde fellow from Yale, he looked at me and said:
"What's the matter with you, baby?"

"Well, I may be crazy, but I think not.
I'd swear to God that I smell pot,
But who'd have pot in Vietnam?"
He said, "Whaddaya think you been sittin' on?"
These funny little plants....
Thousands of 'em.
Good God almighty!
Pastures of plenty!

Well, we all lit up and by and by
The whole platoon was flyin' high.
With a beautiful smile on the captain's face,
He smelled like midnight on St. Mark's Place,
Cleaning his weapon,
Chanting the Hare Krishna.

The moment came as it comes to all
When I had to answer nature's call.
I was stumbin' around in a beautiful haze
When I met a little cat in black pj's:
Rifle, ammo belt, B.F. Goodrich sandals.
He looked up at me and said: "What's the matter with you, baby?"

He said: "We're campin' down the pass
And smelled you people blowin' grass
And since, by the smell, you're smokin' trash,
I brought you a taste of a special stash
Straight from Uncle Ho's vict'ry garden.
We call it Hanoi gold."

So his squad and my squad settled down,
Passed some lovely stuff around.
All too soon it was time to go.
The captain got on the radio,
Said: "Hello, headquarters!
We have met the enemy and he has been smashed!"

[The above is a studio recording. There is a "live" recording on "The Best of Tom Paxton: I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound: The Elektra Years" (2005), but the differences are very minor.]

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: Roger Himler
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 07:06 PM

They don't have Tom Paxton, but a good place to look for old vinyl is this site.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: neil lowe
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 11:54 AM

Appreciate it, Greg. Thanks again to all for the info.

At least I have some options to explore, Whereas I had none before.

(OK so I'm not a poet. At least they rhyme - This time.) Blame it on Mondays....

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: Greg F.
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 07:18 AM

You'll also find it on "Morning Again" Elektra EKS-74019 if you can find someone who deals in old vinyl. Think this was the original recording.

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: neil lowe
Date: 26 Sep 98 - 07:40 PM

thanks, Rockadaddy. Appreciate the info. I'll give it a browse.

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: neil lowe
Date: 26 Sep 98 - 07:37 PM

Not that I can find, Joe. I've checked the imports, compilations, etc. All the stuff that the "commercial" outlets offer, al la Tower Records, etc. I know there has to be one floating around somewhere because I remember hearing it on the radio many moons ago.

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Sep 98 - 04:09 PM

Click here for the lyrics. Is it on any other Paxton CD?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: Rockaday Johnny
Date: 25 Sep 98 - 10:38 AM

The song you're looking for is on "The Complete Tom Paxton" (a live double set) Check California albums on the webb --I've just seen it listed today www.californiaalbums.com Good Luck

Subject: Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues
From: Neillowe
Date: 25 Sep 98 - 10:05 AM

Where do you suppose I could get a recording of Tom Paxton's "Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues?" I've searched the commercial outlets (i.e., Tower Records, CDNow, Music Boulevard) and they have plenty of Tom's records but none include the above song. Any help would be appreciated. I can support vinyl, cassette, or CD. Thanks.