Search - Tom Paxton :: One Million Lawyers and Other Disasters

What goes around comes around

Gay D. F. Kelly | Austin, TX United States | 01/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first bought the vinyl edition after hearing "Yuppies in the Sky" on a local radio program. I am now trying to find a CD because my middle-school-age daughters crave this album, but their new mini stereos won't handle the ancient analog technology. Although the names (substitute YOUR favorite airline for "Republic") and numbers (I think there are at least 1,000,000 laywers here in Austin, TX, let alone nationally)have changed, Paxton's sardonic laments are as timely now as they were when this was first issued."

Ah childhood...

A. Bonhag | NH, U.S.A. | 06/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My parents had this great tape when I was growing up, and my brother, sister, and I listen to and sung these songs ad nauseum. When I had to pick something else up from Amazon, I immediately thought of this album. While it is a bit short, there are many classics like: You can Have The Olympics Over at Our House, 1,000,000 Lawyers, Thank You Republic Airlines, and Oh No Don't Slay that Potato. Since this album is not available on ITunes, I knew I had to order it here. If you like Tom Paxton or other folk singers, and you like political satire, you will enjoy this album."

One of my favorite Tom Paxton albums

Bruce | Washington, DC | 07/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is known mostly for its political satire and comic sendups. "Yuppies in the Sky" is probably the best known "hit" from this album, having been performed by Peter, Paul and Mary and got a lot of radio airplay in its day. Great song, but not my favorite from this album. My favorite is still "Come Grow Old With Me in Colorado," a blistering and enormously funny sendup of former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm (who didn't deserve it) and singer John Denver (who did). Gov. Lamm (who I voted for) is totally misrepresented here, but who cares -- the song is a riot. Also hysterical, and now only a little dated, is Paxton's anthem about Pentagon purchasing of overpriced hammers and toilet seats -- each verse citing the actual cost the Pentagon paid for such items. The reality of current Pentagon spending is just too sad for Tom to make fun of in song. Similarly dated is "Thank You, Republic Airlines," the angry tale of how Repulbic's baggage handlers broke the neck of his guitar. The airline did "go the way of Braniff" as Paxton wishfully sung, and therefore seems dated, yet, I sing this song every time I check my luggage on an airplane. In that way, it is timeless. The albums serious side deserves more credit than it has -- "Who Will Feed the People" is a sobering defense of the family farm, which I always thought could have been a country hit. Also, "Factory Whistle's Blowing" tells the story of disappearing factory jobs, which is dated only in that the jobs aren't "going to Japan," but to places like Mexico and India, along with a lot of service jobs, too. Now that I've got a new car without a casette player, I'm going to have to reach back and buy the CD. You should, too."