The Last Thing On My Mind

Another Tom Paxton gem, and the song I later wished I'd sung for my father on his last night on earth. Number 3 in the OGAVIRT series.

[@matyeager5585]

I've been a musician for 30+ years. This performance humbles me. Blows me away, really.

[@davidtinson6394]

I’ve been studying Tom Paxton songs for years you take this beautiful song to another level and still manage to keep it beautiful I love the run down at the beginning ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@farmalmta]

Lovely! As good as Porter and Dolly's version with their full instrumentation and production.This is just as enjoyable! Thanks!

[@godwinsagay4392]

A remarkable rendition of this song by Tom Paxton.

[@nllleonard]

What a wonderful share of this beautiful song.

[@Robnord1]

The man who taught me basic finger picking called doing this song "The secret of the Universe". No matter what I told him I wanted to learn, he came back to this. He was right, and I understand that now. Do this in your own style and playing anything is possible.

[@raymondcrooke]

I missed this the first time around. Thanks for making it a video response to my rendition. I've added your name to the list of the great performers who do this song.

[@rahang4126]

Definitely the best version that can be found on KZbin ! Keep on the good job, man...Thanks for that voice and that guitar picking.

[@roymitchell3126]

;definitely vice president of the Paxton songs

[@winemeister]

Alonzo, wonderful, thank you! One of my favourite songs, for me the only version was Jose Feliciano since way back in the late 60s, but your interpretation is better, very different, but for me, better. I love the passion you put into paying, and into your singing, I wish more people would interpret the words the way you do, a lifetime of music spills out of this cameo. Tom Paxton must be so proud of the variety of interpretations his songs have had, but none more than this song. You've done him proud, I bet he knows of your version. I'll tuck this into the folder of 'songs I should've sung for my dad after your lovely comment.

[@lesjensen42]

Great song and an even better performance. Les Jensen

[@judyb10]

I love the way you play this old song. You make it sound new and fresh.

[@angeec.3312]

Very soothing, reassuring voice... lends deeper meaning to the lyrics, somehow.. and the guitar just takes it to a different level.. Great artist. Poignant song...... Last Thing on My Mind. Feb. 2017...

[@heleneandersson6513]

THANKS ALONZO,,,,very beautiful 🌷💓

[@deadlevelwillie]

BRILLIANT..puts a lot into his performance

[@Lana-ww9qw]

BEAUTIFUL! THANK YOU...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@MrTomd58]

A class cover of a great song ,glad to have discovered this.

[@plastiqueadapte]

Très belle interprétation ! / Very nice rendition !

[@robsten5387]

April 04, 2013 I have been listening to your song, the best !!! I like so much the way you sing it and play the guitar rob

[@bernardcrocker5840]

Today a Friday before a long weekend and I will come back to your posts again and again for the much needed inspiration after a week dealing with morons --- this inspires me to grab my guitars, buckle in, and go for my much needed sanity ride away from the others LaLa land. For the the rieminder of why I am here, how to anchor into a cooler place without drifting off and the directional arrow all I can say is ................Thanks dude!!!!! Great job on the playing and the singing.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Bernard Crocker Thanks sincerely for such a gracious compliment. Glad to be of help to you on the road.

[@angeec.3312]

Bernard Crocker .. Very well said...

[@starshine428]

Relationships with parents are so complex It took me almost 40 years to accept that my father was not ever going to be the sweet, emotionally supportive daddy I wanted. It is not in his DNA. Then after I accepted that, it took many more years to realize how much he loved me in his own way. I am thankful to have had still more years to have a good relationship with him. He is 86, so the years ahead are probably few. I will treasure each one

[@joannerichards1750]

Yes, this is Tom's masterpiece - I remember it from The Chad Mitchell Trio in the 60s. You brought back great memories with your fine playing and singing.

[@betoniod4645]

He has a good voice and excellent variation of the song.

[@jonasjar]

Probably the best last-thing cover on youtube. It will take a lot of hard work to beat this excellent version.

[@dominicsmith181]

Nice 🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼👍

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

just a beautiful cover of a great song

[@jonasjar]

really vigorous picking with a nice bouncy feel, like it a lot!

[@firefightergoggie]

Thank you for giving this to us. Recently, on these rainy streets of Sydney, Australia I walked the love of my life to the train station to say goodbye. Hearing this sung with such sincerity somehow eased the pain of such a mournful loss and allowed me to see that I'm not the only one to feel this sorrow. My spirit has lifted.

[@Sophie11121]

Very nicely done. Always a favorite, and now a new, true version to return to.

[@johnrusl]

probably my favorite folk song and your cover was excellent

[@Mandolin1944]

Very wonderful -- awesome finger picking!

[@jonasjar]

Best LTOMM-cover on KZbin! Hope you're still alive and kickin'!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Heck yes! I am indeed. Thanks! I guess it might seem like I've gone inactive because I'm not posting that many these days, but that's only because I'm having so much fun gigging so much.

[@commonteri]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@toddydoyle]

Fan-frigging-tastic!

[@bloodonthestrings]

Great singer and picker ! I am working out this song and post it as soon as ready... All the best to you and a blink from France.

[@bagup59]

One of Paxtons best and you did it perfect, thank you.

[@timboleo]

Love it! A mix of old country/folk with a bit of irish or atlantic coastal canadian.. Very beautiful! My new favorite rendition of this one.

[@faynelly]

very very good rendition !!!,trés trés bien super chanson et super belle voix,on adore si vous en avez d'autres on vous ecoutera avec un grand plaisir.merci

[@Mandolin1944]

Awesome job -- absolutely lovely finger picking and you sure can sing!!

[@thadmesser1921]

Not only is he a good musician, he can sing very good! I like it!

[@thadmesser1921]

He does this better than all of the other artists that I've heard !

[@231152johny]

Beautiful performance, great guitar playing and singing.

[@alderbaran1]

This is the second Tom Paxton song I've heard you do, and I'm hooked. Thanks for the music! Now if I can just figure out what you're doing with those picking fingers....

[@Northman1066]

Wonderful performance - really enjoyed it!

[@jonasjar]

excellent picking, novel arrangement! I've done this song for many years, nice to see the variety you can find in the way people do them.

[@48ford8n]

Love your style!

[@s6824s]

You are awesome> Great cover!!

[@patriciastoliar2667]

loved it

[@JagdishRao]

SIMPLY OUTSTANDING MY FRIEND....LOVED IT !!.....Jagdish

[@alonzogarbanzo]

That's high praise. Thanks.

[@bonesbach7934]

A favorite of mine, Alonzo. Some solid pickin' and singin' here from you, for sure. Thanks much.

[@PaulSmithMusicMD]

I enjoyed this very much! I like your strumming blended in with the finger picking style guitar work and the singing was nice too. Good job!

[@hochbob]

Fantastic cover! I love your right hand strumming and picking technique. Thanks for posting.

[@jonasjar]

Yesterday I listened twice and today when I played I just couldn't help slithering into your arrangement. Couldn't shake it off. The intro was easy, it's roughly Blackbird done backward, and the other parts was fairly easy too. From now on, it will be your arrangement on this, that's for sure. It's so much better than the old fart arr I've been using. Cheerio!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

After 10 years I see your comment! I'm not even aware of any "arrangement" I've made---I just thought I was singing the song I recalled from the early 60s. But several people have approvingly referred to my arrangement, so I'll accept the compliments!

[@pilvig6546]

Really sensitive rendition. Been playing along with my u bass as I need to learn this for my village band. Thank you.

[@rubberduckiemom4602]

You have a wonderful voice. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@loulipsitz8619]

Alonzo hope you are still playing in Hood River. I plan to visit my daughter in Portland and come hear you. Love your videos. Try to play my harp with you.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I'm still at it! Thanks and I hope to see you when you're in the region. For now I still post my gigs on Facebook, though I might be bailing out of that place soon.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Hi there! If you still anticipate venturing out my way, I'm still above ground and gigging! I have a website (alonzogarbanzo.co) with an events calendar about my gigs. I even keep it updated, mostly!

[@Morifa20]

Very very nice, and sensitive way of playing. And in Dutch: Heel mooi en gevoelig. Dank je wel voor deze mooie uitvoering!! Greetings from Holland. Leo.

[@edlake3962]

Love your interpretation of this fantastic song.

[@rlatkdtn1]

정말 잘 하십니다.^^

[@lukemurphy7209]

Best cover on KZbin.

[@sskim1555]

It is much better than the singer who sang the original song. You seem to have known in advance that KZbin will thrive in the future. I enjoy listening to good music. 원곡을 부른 가수보다 훨씬 낫습니다. 당신은 오래전부터 유튜브라는 곳이 나중에 번성할 것이라는 것을 미리 알았던 것 같습니다. 좋은 음악 잘 감상하고 갑니다.

[@sskim1555]

This is Free Korea.

[@spinks31]

One of my all time favourite songs and your rendition is right up there - especially your picking - loved it!

[@ThymeBottle]

I just love your guitar style. This is a striking performance and your vocals are always so impressive. Bravo!

[@armilles]

Magnifique ! ! ! !

[@richardmclaughlinvancouver]

👍😎🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 love it!

[@LKalavera]

This song is really sad, but beautiful :)

[@fast_toche]

Magnifique!!!!! Que dire de plus????.Respect ! :wor:

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Merci beaucoup!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I'm TOO honored to be included in that pantheon. And I love your version. We have such different ways of approaching a song but it comes out pretty OK, don't it?

[@DennisAnthonis]

very righteous dude. good finger picking, good voice.

[@tony59able]

Absolutely brilliant version of this song. Love your style of playing and beautifully sung too. Might stick around to get a few pointers if that is ok. Thanks a million.

[@HimalayanHermits]

Awesome rendition! I'm going to copy your interpretation of this song :)

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Thank you. It's such a great song to begin with, I think it could be played on a kazoo and sound beautiful.

[@persandberg6521]

Fantastic version! I think you took from a pretty simple straight forward 3-chord song to something much more interesting with a wonderful combination of picking and strumming. Your voice completes it all - well done! Per/Silkeborg - DK

[@alonzogarbanzo]

None taken! Rhanks for the thought. I do wonder, though, how many 61-year-0ld musicians are on MTV these days unless they were famous when they were young? I don't see TV, so I really don't know the answer to that, but I suspect it's "not a whole bunch"!

[@tamdsms]

I'm a 50+yr. picker, & I LOVE your arrangement / performance / picking style❣ Kind regards❣ VOTE BLUE💙

[@Dslevent86]

wonderful song---- baez / collins/paxton/peter paul and mary ---- lets bring back the real folk singers----

[@jonasjar]

Really cool intro and vigorous playing with nice variation, good singing obviously. This is the LTOMM-cover to beat on UT. Have you tried John Prine tunes?

[@jonasjar]

thats a great version! excellent guitar with a nice swing and unusual variation. You have an index pick? your black sweater makes you look disembodied, a bit spooky really. Any way this is great, bet you a dollar your dad would have loved it! :)

[@tresbelletiti]

Bravo pour votre interprétation et en plus de l'anglais vous parlez français e il vero italiano ?

[@firefoxzombie]

Nice rendition of a great song. What's the other chord beside the G, C,and D? Thanks.

[@jonasjar]

Excellent! Professional grade more or less, and you do perform, don't ya?

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Surely there must be some quality cheese out there.

[@jimboyko2854]

Please take this with all my heart, too fast . Such a beautiful song needs to be slowed . Thank you.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I appreciate your heartfelt sentiment and your courtesy. May I reply equally respectfully that I just don't find this tempo too fast at all. For me, tempo and beauty aren't necessarily related.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I like to believe he would have. Thanks. Yes, I like the "floating head" look---it's really pronounced in some of my other vides (see "The Monster"). And I use plastic picks on index and thumb, even on bass.

[@jonasjar]

pretty unusual with the Am at 3:34, what is it that creates the beat-tapping sound?

[@fukuda827]

nice!!! from zonosushi~ shuhei

[@pfung45]

I know it's been quite a while since someone made the last comment. However, can anyone help with the cords used as I noticed there are more than 3 being used apart from C, G and D. What are the extras?

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Dang, I could swear I wrote and posted a reply to you already, but it's not here. Grumble grumble, but anyway, yes, thanks for your query. Really, everything I'm doing is one inversion or another of those three chords you correctly list. You might be getting thrown off by a couple of things: my D7 chord uses the bottom string, so its shape looks different from many people's D7. I'm fretting the 6th string at the 2nd fret with my middle finger (while the first, second and third strings are fretted 2, 3, and 2 respectively, as usual.) My straight D chord also uses the sixth string, but you'll note I wrap my thumb around to fret that string. The opening chords (someone described them as "Blackbird played backwards") are all inversions of G, C and D, in this order: G, D, C C C, G, D7, G, D D C D G. Made it up on the spot, as when I perform. There's one other thing here that I don't do much anymore in performance, but I see on this video I threw in an A minor and an E minor on the last chorus. They're OK, I guess, but Tom P didn't write them. Hope this helps.

[@pfung45]

Thanks so much. I am enjoying your play. I keep on watching and hope one day I can play 70% of what you did.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

@plastiqueadapte Mon Francais est tres mauvais, je pense. Mais merci beaucoup.

[@groberts1998]

Alanzo. I really like your interpretation of this great old Tom Paxton tune. Do you have any idea where I could get my eyes on the tab for something near your version? Are you using a porch board?

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Er, no and yes. Maybe this spring I'll do an instructional on that kind of pick. If by "porch board" you mean a plank with a mike attached to make a big thump or whap with my foot, yup.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Alonzo Garbanzo Which, by the way, I no longer use. The places I've lived since leaving LA have both had beautifully resonant wood floors; no further need of a porch board, if I understand correctly what that is.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

My foot tapping, picked up with a mike and subjected to a lot of compression and Q. Some folks hate the sound, but I don't, so there.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

@forsburgers Thanks for that, and if you click on my user name here it will take you to my channel page, wherein lie about 225 additions to what I did here!