String Along
The Kingston Trio · 1960
30 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music
Bright harmonies and acoustic melodies weave through storytelling lyrics, embodying the essence of early 1960s folk music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bad Man’s Blunder Start here — This track opens the album with a lively rhythm and engaging narrative that sets the tone for the storytelling approach prevalent throughout.
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When I Was Young — The reflective lyrics capture a sense of nostalgia while contrasting youthful innocence with adult responsibilities, reflecting a common theme in folk music.
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Everglades — With its vivid imagery and melodic hooks, this song highlights the Trio's ability to paint landscapes through music, showcasing their lyrical prowess.
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Who’s Gonna Hold Her Hand — This track features harmonious vocal interplay that exemplifies the group's signature sound and emotional depth while exploring themes of love and longing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong harmonies and traditional structures, but lacks standout compositions that elevate it further.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of three-part harmonies across nearly all tracks, creating a rich vocal texture.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with some tracks incorporating instrumental breaks that highlight the acoustic guitar and banjo.
- The tempo varies slightly, but most songs maintain an upbeat pace, contributing to an overall lively feel throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic sing-alongs with friends
- steady pacing for casual listening
- bright harmonies for cheerful moods
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- seeking intense emotional depth
- prefer longer, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified the Kingston Trio's popularity post their initial success.
- Themes
- nostalgic Americana· Everglades imagery
- Career context
- Released in January 1960, 'String Along' was The Kingston Trio's fourth studio album, following their commercial breakthrough with 'The Kingston Trio'. At this point, they were solidifying their place as leading figures in the folk revival movement, continuing to expand their fan base with catchy tunes and social commentary.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Limeliters· Peter, Paul and Mary· The Brothers Four
Tracklist
- 1 Bad Man’s Blunder Start here 2:37
- 2 The Escape of Old John Webb 2:28
- 3 When I Was Young 2:24
- 4 Leave My Woman Alone 2:18
- 5 This Mornin’, This Evenin’, So Soon 3:06
- 6 Everglades 2:18
- 7 Buddy Better Get On Down the Line 2:19
- 8 South Wind 3:00
- 9 Who’s Gonna Hold Her Hand 2:37
- 10 To Morrow 2:37
- 11 Colorado Trail 2:49
- 12 The Tattooed Lady 1:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Moving
Peter, Paul and Mary
Features bright harmonies and folk instrumentation with a nostalgic Americana vibe.
The Brothers Four
The Brothers Four
Shares spirited acoustic arrangements and themes of Americana nostalgia in its storytelling.
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
Simon & Garfunkel
Combines rich harmonies and acoustic sounds, evoking a similar sense of Americana and introspection.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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