Even though the years are catching up with Tom Paxton, his performance in the Ulster Hall in Belfast was no less brilliant, just like it was when I first saw him fifty years ago on his first UK tour. His voice is in great shape and his guitar playing is excellent as always. But on this tour Tom has special guest Robin Bullock with him, a genius on acoustic guitar and mandolin, and Robin is really a show within a show!
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Tom Paxton playing at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. (Photo by Jim Masson).[/caption]
This tour celebrates the Tom Paxton UK tour of 1965 when he won the hearts of the British folk scene and has had a loyal following ever since. A grammy winner, and one of the world’s leading folk music embassadors treading in the hallowed footsteps of his mentor and friend, the late and great Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton is a folk singer and songwriter for all seasons covering the light and darker moments in life.
Following the brilliant instrumental warm up by Robin Bullock, Tom made his entrance and played a wide range mostly to begin with of his later music, superb tunes such as ‘Did You Hear John Hurt‘, ‘Whose Garden Was This‘, ‘How Beautiful Upon The Mountain‘, Â ‘Redemtion Street‘ and ‘The Bravest‘, and ‘I am Changing My Name to Fanny Mae‘. And in the second half Tom performed to the great delight of the audience a number of his old hits such as ‘Rambling Boy‘ ‘The Last Thing on My Mind‘, ‘I’m Bound for the Mountains and the Sea‘, and fun favourites such as ‘Bottle of Wine‘.
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Robin Bullock warms up the audience with an instrumental.[/caption]
Tom Paxton’s ease with the audience is always a hallmark and it was a very touching moment when he spoke of his late wife Midge who passed away last year. He explained that he had written ‘My Lady’s A Wild Flying Dove‘ Â to her as an engagement present. He then sang this song, one of his beautiful anthems, and I could see it really moved the audience. It was a beautiful and special moment, a loving tribute to his wife.
From his music you get a sense of his  love for his native America, paying homage to its diverse people and their relationships, the land, the quirky politics, hard times and good times, and songs about events such as ‘The Bravest‘, about the New York Firemen who walked upwards to their death on 9/11.
And after the show ended, Tom was very gracious with his audience taking time in the foyer of the Ulster Hall to sign CD’s and autographs for his many admirers.
This tour 50 years on is vintage Tom Paxton. He will be making seventeen performances across the UK… not to be missed.
www.tompaxton.com Check out the Tom Paxton Intinery: Derry – Millenium Forum – Friday  8 May Dublin – Vicar Street – Saturday 9  May Belfast – Ulster Hall – Sunday 10 May Glasgow – Old Fruitmarket – Tuesday 12 May Gateshead – The Sage 13 May Birningham – Town Hall Friday 15 May Harrowgate – Royal Hall Saturday 16 May Liverpool – Philharmonic Hall Monday 18 May Basingstoke – The Anvil Tuesday 19 May Poole – The Lighthouse Wednesday 20 May Milton Keynes – The Stables Friday 22 May Bristol– St George’s 23 May Shrewsbury – Theatre Severn Sunday 24 May Guildford – G Live Tuesday 26 May Brighton – St George’s Church Wednesday 27 May London– Union Chapel Thursday 28 May Salford – The Lowry Saturday 30 May. ]]>
