Ramblin’ Boy

Ramblin’ Boy is the debut album by American folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton, released in 1964. 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). 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”.  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