Rambling Boy came about when, at a gathering to celebrate his mother's 80th birthday, Haden's wife Ruth Cameron suggested that the family sing "You Are My Sunshine".

The album, which includes songs made famous by the Carter Family and Hank Williams as well as original and traditional pieces, features appearances by Haden's wife and children, as well as over a dozen guest musicians.

Despite the wide range of players here, this album can only be called Americana in the strictest sense of the term as its selections are new readings of mostly traditional folk and country songs.

"[1] DownBeat awarded the album a full 5 stars, and Paul de Barros stated: "Hearing Haden play this music today... is a revelation.

"[6] John Kelman of All About Jazz noted that the album "is proof of the inestimable value of music and kin, joined together to create the kind of close bond that sadly no longer exists for so many," and commented: "An unexpected but moving addition to Haden's discography, Rambling Boy may be the bassist's most deeply personal album to date.