Tom Paxton in Concert with Mustard's Retreat

Tom Paxton

What do you really need to say when a folk icon like Tom Paxton is coming to town for a concert?

It's hardly necessary to call him a veteran troubadour in the tradition of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger or to mention that he has been an integral part of the songwriting and folk music community since burgeoning of the movement in the early 60s in Greenwich Village. You could say that Tom Paxton addresses issues of injustice and inhumanity quite unlike anyone else -- with wit and whimsy instead of bitterness and spite -- but readers of Folkstuff already know that.

Is it very important to say that in addition to the old folkies -- like Judy Collins, Peter, Paul and Mary, and the Kingston Trio -- who have recorded his songs, artists from a wide spectrum from Willie Nelson to Placido Domingo have also used his music? Since many of you could rattle off the names of his "greatest hits" better than I, if I prepared a litany of them -- "The Marvelous Toy," "Ramblin' Boy," "Last Thing on My Mind," "Goin' to the Zoo," "Whose Garden Was This?", "One Million Lawyers," and "What Did You Learn in School Today?" -- I would be sure to leave off somebody's favorite.

I could warn you that he has already once announced the end of his performing career, but he failed retirement pretty quickly several years ago. So instead, let me simply invite you to join Cornell Folk Song Club in welcoming back Tom Paxton.

I should add that Mustard's Retreat will be sharing the stage with Tom. This charming and multi-talented duo have helped put the "folk" back into folk music for a quarter of a century. Describing Mustard's Retreat, Tom Paxton has said, "They are so warm and friendly and giving on stage, completely in touch with the audience.

Tickets are available at Ithaca Guitar Works, Borealis Bookstore, Small World Music, and at the door. You may also order tickets online.

(John Henderson)

For information about the concert, contact

• Ginny Gartlein at 272.3471,
• or the Cornell Folk Song Club.

Author:	Ted Crane
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