Category: Music

Tom Paxton: “The Last Thing On My Mind”

Paxton Last Thing On My Mind

Folksinger and songwriter Tom Paxton was born on October 31, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. We celebrate today with one of his classic songs, “The Last Thing On My Mind.”

“The Last Thing On My Mind” first appeared on Paxton’s 1964 album Ramblin’ Boy. It has been covered by numerous artists, recently appearing on the soundtrack to Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) in a version by Stark Sands with the Punch Brothers.

In this video, Paxton introduces “The Last Thing On My Mind” as a love song, but it is also a song about loss. The singer’s lover has left him, and while he contemplates what he did wrong, he realizes it is “a lesson too late for the learnin’.” He realizes he could have loved the person better, and the last thing on his mind was being unkind.

We do not know what happened to the narrator and his former lover, but Paxton is still going strong. He recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign for a new CD, Redemption Road, and he continues to tour around the country. Happy birthday Mr. Paxton!

What is your favorite Tom Paxton song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    NC Music Love Army Continues Music’s History of Protest

    Governor Pat McCrory

    I long have been a fan of Caitlin Cary‘s music that includes her days as part of Whiskeytown (with Ryan Adams) and her solo career. One of her latest projects finds her joining her musical talents with others to make a statement. In 2013, Cary and singer-songwriter Jon Lindsay co-founded NC Music Love Army. The group is a collective of musicians with a connection to North Carolina who wanted to make a statement about regressive politics in the state. The artists released an album of protest songs in 2013 called We Are Not For Sale: Songs of Protest.

    In 2014, as we approach election time, the group is releasing additional songs. Below, listen to Mary Johnson Rockers sing “Senator’s Lament,” a song about the land that sounds timeless while also being timely. After the song, you may listen to alternate versions on the player too.

    In “Dear Mr. McCrory,” Lindsay wrote a song directed at the governor of North Carolina, Pat McCrory. On the song about voter suppression in the state and civil rights, Lindsay is joined by Cary and BJ Barham (of American Aquarium).

    In “Dear Mr. McCrory,” Lindsay asks a question we wonder about for many politicians, “When you were a young man did you wanna be / This person here before us today?” Check it out.

    You may download “Dear Mr. McCrory,” “Senator’s Lament,” and other songs through NC Music Love Army’s website. [October 29, 2014 Update: Check out the latest release through NC Music Love Army of “Train Coming” by Dasan Ahanu and Jrusalam.]

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    OK Go: “I Won’t Let You Down”

    OK Go Umbrella

    OK Go has released another one of their exciting videos, this time with the fancy umbrella work in the video for “I Won’t Let You Down.” The video is directed by singer Damian Kulash and by Kazuaki Seki.

    Check out the video for “I Won’t Let You Down,” which is from OK Go’s Hungry Ghosts album.

    If you are wondering about the motorized scooters that the band members are riding, they are called UNI-CUBs. Also, Rolling Stone has more about the making of the video.

    What is your favorite OK Go video? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Ronny Spears: “North of Mexico”

    Texas singer-songwriter Ronny Spears passed away this week on October 20, 2014. Although not as well known as the many of those he performed with, Spears had a genuine Texas sound and the man was admired by those who knew him.

    Spears often collaborated with songwriters like Ray Wylie Hubbard. Most recently, Spears worked with Robby White as part of White & Spears. The duo often performed around north Texas, and as recently as Saturday, October 18 were scheduled to play at Hank’s Texas Grill in McKinney, Texas.

    In the video below from June 2011, Spears appears on “Texas Renegade Radio” on KNON 89.3 FM in Dallas, Texas, hosted by Mark Mundy. Here, he performs “North of Mexico,” which he wrote. If you have never heard Spears, check it out.


    RIP Mr. Spears.

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    Authentic Folk Music From Barbara Brown

    barbarabrown
    When Chimesfreedom first started writing about Kentucky’s Marty Brown, long before he appeared on America’s Got Talent, we praised the authentic country sound of his music. We also have noted that his musical talent runs in the family. A few new videos on YouTube now illustrate that the source of some of his talent comes from his mother, Barbara Brown.

    Check out Barbara Brown sitting on the porch singing the traditional folk ballad, “Baby on the Doorstep,” a song recorded by Frank Luther in 1928 and that otherwise is not on YouTube. Marty Brown accompanies her on what I think is his father’s guitar. [2019 Update: Unfortunately, the video is no longer available.]

    In another video, Barbara and Marty Brown duet on “Blue Kentucky Girl.” There’s some genuine great music here. I would buy her album.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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