Rating:
Genre:
Folk
Release Date: 02/19/2008
Run Time: 52:47
Tom Paxton was one of the few New York City based
singer/songwriters to get a
pop hit;
the Fireballs waxed his alcoholic anthem
"Bottle of Wine" and took it to the Top Ten in 1968. He also contributed his share of
folk standards to the canon including
"The Last Thing on My Mind," "Ramblin' Boy," and
"I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound." Never comfortable with
folk-rock, or
rock for that matter, despite the fact that rockers and folkies alike covered his songs,
Paxton stayed true to the
folk singer ethos, one man and a guitar delivering heartfelt, humorous, and gently political songs like 1978's
"Anita OJ," a mild put-down of
Anita Bryant's anti-gay activities. Although his profile outside
folk circles may be low,
Paxton is still a vital artist, as this fine collection shows. The songs here, delivered by
Paxton and a band of pickers adept at
folk, acoustic
pop, and
country styles, deal with love, marriage, aging, and mortality. Love songs that deal with long-term relationships are few and far between in
pop music. There are more of them in
country music, but they're often cloying, cliché ridden, and embarrassing.
Paxton avoids all those traps with nine delicious tunes to his wife Midge.
"Home to Me (Is Anywhere You Are)" is a mid-tempo
country tune with an understated message of fidelity.
"I Like the Way You Look" could be a
rock & roll hit for someone like
Bob Seger, a frisky, humorous, slyly sexy tune with a chooglin' melody and some nice solo work by
Tim Crouch on mandolin and
Mark Howard on guitar.
"What a Friend You Are" is a poignant ode to the friendship of a supportive spouse, while
"The First Song Is for You" salutes the art of songwriting and long-term relationships. These love songs will bring a glow to anyone who has ever experienced a long-term love affair or successful marriage.
Paxton's playful side is evident on
"And If It's Not True" a lilting
waltz full of tall tales about hanging out with
Ravel, meandering through smoky Barcelona bars, and watching
Van Gogh and
Cezanne paint their masterpieces.
"Jennifer and Kate," dedicated to his daughters, is a meditation on fatherhood, funny as well as achingly beautiful and poignant. The title track pays tribute to his pals
Dave Van Ronk, the
Clancy Brothers, and other singers and poets who made the Greenwich Village scene so vital. Like the rest of the songs on the album it's a masterwork of unassuming poetry married to a strong, folky melody.
Paxton's songwriting here is deep and affecting, touching the heart ever deeper with repeated listening.
~j. poet, All Music Guide
;)
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