Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 05:53 PM

Dear Art:

For us who are certifiable old farts, that isn't just the name of a great CD -it's the bloody truth! Isn't it??

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:38 AM

Hey folks. I was just over at Waterbug and noticed there are no reviews of this incredible CD. There are some of you whose words carry more weight than mine when it comes to reviews and technical stuff about pickin' etc. So...maybe a few of you might want to copy and paste what you've already written or post something completely new at Waterbug. Out of all of our CDs, we listen to this one more than ever and it always lifts our spirits.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: Wolfgang
Date: 02 Apr 05 - 06:23 AM

I think this was the first Mudcatter CD I ever bought (without MC I'm sure I'd never even heard the name Art Thieme). Then I bought an LP from Jerry R. without even ever having heard a single track by him for the sole reason that I had fallen in love with 'Handful of songs' on Art's CD.

Then I have bought Kendall's Beginner's luck, then the MC Colours/Fruits CDs, next I shall buy one or more Harvey A. for the sole reason that I have fallen in love with 'The song' on the MC CDs.

Mudcat has enriched my LP and CD collection and with the exception of one or two tracks on the whole bunch of MC Colours I've never been disappointed.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: kendall
Date: 02 Apr 05 - 05:25 AM

This kid is good!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Apr 05 - 02:54 AM

just read this thread from the start.

I should like to wish Art all the best.

Big Al Whittle.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 05 - 03:37 PM

Thank _you_.

I believe it is formally called "That Song About the River". It does capture a certain something.

Regards,


Amos

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 01 Apr 05 - 03:16 PM

Amos, Thanks for your too kind words. I do appreciate 'em a lot. And it's nice to see this old thread resurrected. This now old CD was picked by Scott Alarik and the Boston Globe as one of the top ten folk albums of 1998. (I was honored in spite of the fact that he is an old friend. Sometimes, it's "who ya know".)

And as you know (since I told you on the phone last week) I'm really enjoying your CD as well. That Steve Gillette song about "The River" (was that it's name?) is a great one--as are your own compositions.

All the best,

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: frogprince
Date: 01 Apr 05 - 01:53 PM

Hey, just happened to glance at this thread again, and found out I've had at least one song by a mudcatter, the legendary Jerry R., since long before I knew there was a mudcat. Great album, great song.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 05 - 01:44 PM

I recently gained in fair exchange a copy of Art's CD. I just finished listening to the last cut, Jerry's "Handful of Songs", and I loved every minute of the whole disc. in fact I just hit the Replay button, probably for the first of many times. A fine voice, full of vim, and the instrumental support is perfect, balanced and talented; most important of all, the songs -- the songs are terrific, from all over and all brought together by his impeccable delivery.

Art Thieme is a master.

Great job, great disc, great pleasure, Art.

Amos

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD: The Older I Get, The Better I Was
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 08:47 PM

Mike,

I do remember The Mill. It was Keith Dempster's place. Loud!! But it's good to know someone was listening through the din. Keith put us singers up in his farm house. I fell asleep one night knowing a few bikers were expected in. Next morning there were motorcycles to the horizon all around the place. They had "borrowed" a cadaver table from the University, filled it with charcoal briquettes, covered it wil a chain link fence, and by noon there must've been 200 steaks on to cook. It was a great time that was had by all. A year or two later that farm house of Keith's burnt down---and took his great instrument collection with it. I do hope he is alive, kickin' and doing well.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Peace
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 12:09 AM

Congratulations, Art. You have people who love you and your music. AND, you have a 'hit' on your hands. I wish you every success with it. I'll be putting in a request for it at our 'record' store in the Mall.

BM

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: mike_in_st_c
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 11:59 PM

I first heard Art in Iowa City, IA around '78,'79 I think, at a place called The Mill. I was transformed. Bought his album that night---I think it was "Bold Faced Lies"---being a disc it's still packed in boxes, but I do hope I can get the music in cd form. I'm definitely ordering the one mentioned in the above posts. Art inspired me to pursue playing the guitar...back then, although I'm still trying to run down that dream. (Guess I'm a slow learner...or is it just that life gets in the way? I will say Art's music inspired me more in following the dream than my older brother, who played jazz professionally in San Francisco for 30 years. Go figure;-}. Mike

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's CD again
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 05:50 PM

Dear Fine Art,

You know how much I LOVE your music and you. I just wanted to let you know the "NextGen" at our house thinks you're magic, too! My grandson, Morgan, now almost 10 months old, stops everything he might be doing when he hears your voice and pickin'. He gets excited and tries to sing along with me. Today's session was extra special, twice when he has been getting sleepy, I've put on your CD, held him in my arms as I sing with you and he's drifed off to a very peaceful snooze. Just magic moments that swell my heart with love and gratitude. Thanks, my friend, for sharing so much.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 10:19 PM

While we're talking about The Master of the Sheepfold, it would be good to have this one up where new people can see it, AND the old people can refresh their memories. Do read the Trib story I posted on 19 Jan 99 - 12:00 PM. It's still good.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:33 PM

Sandy,

That's amazing of you to be doing these custom CDs. It's a perfect way for Folk Legacy to not have to keep tons of stock that might or might not sell. I'll look forward to having 'em. It's a great boost for the old ego to have those two albums on CD. I'll be in touch real soon. Carol had a treatment yesterday---so today I'm just watching out for her.

Sandra,

Some Native-American Indian tribes say that recipes for those are quite tasty. I saw a recipe book called A HUNDRED WAYS TO WOK YOUR DOG. (Must be from S.E. Asia.)

Jenny,

If Bob can do it, have him copy his for you. That's fine with me.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: JennyO
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 08:13 AM

Okay Sandra, I'll hold you to that! But why wait till then? What about a little Sandra floor spot on Thursday week?

Hey I'd like to have a listen to that CD too.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 07:08 AM

Hello, Art

Bob said he was sending Dave's CD - it's great isn't it? Dave's style of performing is very relaxed, like yours I guess.

Thanks for the compliment, but I'm not a musician, tho Bob I are both on the Bush Music Club Committee. I run a folk club which is Bob's local & he is our official photographer & my source of knowledge - folk & lots of other stuff.

I'm not a performer - I can't hold a tune on my own but I add my voice to any session or chorus going. Very occasionally I read a poem at JennyO's Come All Ye session & might (maybe perhaps) read the North Country Tragedy there one day. It appeals to my sense of humour (poor Foo Foo & Fifi!)

sandra

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 03:11 AM

That is wonderful to hear, Sandydarlin'! I'll be giving you a call, soon!

luvyaboth...kat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: GUEST,Sandy Paton sans cookie
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 01:48 AM

Since you're reading this thread, Art, let me use it to tell you that CD versions of your two Folk-Legacy albums, now available as "made-to-order" CDs, will be on their way to you tomorrow. Lots of good stuff there, m'lad! You can be proud of 'em.
    Sandy

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 08:08 PM

Sandra,

Thank you. Very nice of you to say that.
I just heard Dave de Hugard's new CD---Songs Of The Wallaby Track---as passed on to me by B.B. That's how narrative songs ought to be done me thinks. Also, Stewie (in Darwin) and I have been swapping things from our music collections in recent days. It's grand to realize that even at this later date in my life, I can hear new people who resonate with my musical likes almost instantly.

Sandra, are you part of Backblocks Musicians?

Again, thanks.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 06:25 AM

I've been listening to Bob Bolton's copy of this CD - lots of good stuff, especially A North Country Tragedy which I was looking for in DT & Forum & found this thread. I agree with Jed Marum that Art's voice & presentation is a pleasure to listen to.

sandra

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Oct 02 - 11:39 PM

Art, one of our CD's is going out this week. If it gives you one tenth the pleasure that I have gotten out of your CD, then you will enjoy it greatly. If it were possible to wear out a CD, I would have worn yours out long ago. In fact I played it twice on the drive home from this years Getaway, from which I just walked in.

Thanks for the nice comments. Jed's new CD will, indeed, be a hit.

Mick

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 07:30 AM

Carol listen to his singing of The Snowy breasted Pearl, a classic, Still listening Art. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 01:45 AM

And Ard Mhacha reciprocated with a CD and two fine cassettes by the man himself, John McCormack. Carol's had those playing ever since they got here. Thanks again.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:43 PM

Art not only sent me the CD and a couple of Tapes but he busted the trans-Atlantic postal record, well my unoffical one, his Mail[Post] arrived in three days from the US, and his CD and Tapes are still being played.
Well done Art. Ard Mhacha

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:34 PM

It's mutual, Jed. Your new one is gonna be a favorite of many, many folks, I am certain. With Big Mick helping it cannot miss ;-)
I found out some bunch of years ago that I hada Xanax kind of voice. How else to figure all those that fell asleep during my shows?! And those were in coffeehouses too.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 03:11 PM

Funny this thread should come up now. My wife and I have developed a recent pleassurable pass-time; in the evenings we've been sitting in the living room, playing scrabble and listening to my collection of Art Thieme recordings. Somehow Art's pleasing and mellow voice and his banjo or guitar picking just provide a perfect backdrop for his midwest stories. People, places, heroes, legends and tall tales roll before our mind's eye as we puzzle over the scrabble pass-time ...

What a treat! Great stuff, Art. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 02:03 PM

Stephen,

Thanks so much. Those were fun times at that oasis that was the No Exit Coffeehouse back then. This CD was taken from tapes made back then since I'm unable to play these days. But Dennis Cook in Mayland (and Judy) are digitizing some decent taoes right as we speak so there might be others one day. We will see. (Jean Paul Sartre said, in his play, NO EXIT-----about a group of dead folks stuck in a room they couldn't get out of----a room that turned out to actually be HELL----Sartre said that "hell IS other people." That can either be true or not true. Here at Mudcat, and at the old NO EXIT COFFEEHOUSE in Chicago, it surely proved not to be the case. There have been some threads here at Mudcat about older clubs and coffeehouses. I highly recommend those.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 11:27 AM

Art, I loved the sound clips of the songs. It's been a lomg time since I've heard you. I used to live in Chicago over on Estes which meant that, even in winter, it was an easy walk to go see you at the old No Exit. I also haven't heard anyone else sing "In & Around Nashville" for many years. I've been singing it myself for a long time, but the last time that I heard someone else sing it was at the late lamented Barbarossa. The singer was Marty Pieffer. That shows you how long ago that was. Glad to see that you're still in there pitching.

Stephen L. Rich

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:43 AM

Refreshed for the new crop.:-)

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 12:02 AM

Refresh for people who've been hearing Art's songs in HearMe and want to know more about him, his CD (gotta have it) and the lyrics to all, thanks to Wolfgang.

kat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 May 00 - 03:10 PM

Why White Men Cannot See Clearly/The Cherokee Queen has also been added.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 May 00 - 04:02 AM

North Country Tragedy has now been added too.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 00 - 09:51 PM

Wolfgang, thanks for bringing this back up and for posting the lyrics! I have the cd, and will have some time next week, if you want any help with getting together the other two songs' lyrics...just let me know, please.

Thanks,

kat-lastnameless

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 May 00 - 09:25 PM

Yes, I think I understand...

Art
(last name invisible)

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Wolfgang
Date: 22 May 00 - 04:52 AM

Art, I'm the same Wolfgang Hell. When I lost my cookie once I decided to come back without my last name.

Wolfgang H.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 May 00 - 10:51 PM

Wolfgang,

Are you the same Wolfgang H. in Germany that we've been in touch with here at Mudcat of several years now? Or are you a whole other person? Whatever, now I'm wondering if I am talking to the person I thought/think I'm talking to. But then again, do we ever really know who we're talking to now that Mudcat has 50% of the people here being GUESTS? It feels sort of like Alice In Wonderland around these parts in recent times...

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Wolfgang
Date: 19 May 00 - 10:36 AM

I'm still determined to get all the lyrics from this CD together. Three more I can provide and I have put them in extra threads. But since I like to have all the information at one place, here are the links:

Way down the road
Bye and bye
In and around Nashville.

Two to go.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:04 PM

Yer welcome, JL. Can't say enough good about da'Man!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 01 Feb 00 - 02:56 PM

kat-- Many thanks for renewing this thread--I've played Art's "The Older I Get the Better I Was" CD many times since finding it at Winfield, but didn't have any other music by him (and hadn't gotten as far as searching Folk Legacy, shame on me!)--Am placing an order with them ASAP.

Art, you're wonderful--a pleasure to listen to, both on the CD and here at Mudcat...

JL

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 00 - 12:35 PM

Refreshed for Mary in Kentucky and JAB, who were both asking about this WONDERFUL cd in hearme last night.

Next time we are in hearme, Art, how about joining in? Ya don't have to do anything ya don't want to; there is a text chat function; and, it is fun to actually hear everyone's voices. I was telling them about your Cowboy Barbara Allen and the tape you shared of the Woody Tribute with Hobo's Lullaby etc. We sang songs and read poetry and visited.

Phoaks, you canNOT go wrong buying this incredible CD. It is one of the very best. When I call him our FINE Art, I mean it!

luvyaKat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Wolfgang
Date: 09 Apr 99 - 03:17 AM

Art, thanks for the quick response pointing out the mistakes. I had heard "marker", but it didn't make sense for me. Now it does.
These were the "easy" ones for me. I'll give it a pause before I try the difficult ones.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 10:06 PM

Wolfgang,
Again, Glad to answer your questions.

In the song "A HANDFUL OF SONGS" by Jerry Rasmussen

1) should be----well tuned in the "telling".

2) should be----a smile "in" an old photograph.

In the song "Cowboys Barbara Allen"

1) The name of the town is MEDICINE BOW-----The Medicine Bow National Forrest is a beautiful pine-covered mountain range. The "BOW" was a weapon used by Native Americans (American Indians). A "MEDICINE BOW" was an especially powerful weapon. It might've been said to have "big medicine"---like Thor's hammer. The Shaman of the tribes were the "MEDICINE MEN". They knew the secrets of the herbs and the legends of the tribal lore. Knew what herbs did what as medicine to cure ailments and alter perception or enhance awareness of spiritual matters. One man's "magic" is another man's having secured knowledge that others don't posess. So it might seem like magic to some. I do suspect that's all that magic ever was---OR IS.

2)we SENT a message out to her, to the place where she was DUG IN.

--------In those times, on the American plains, it was common to literally dig a hole in the ground to make your home. The SOD dug out (chunks of roughly square earth matted by grass and roots) was used for building blocks. They were cemented in place with mud. You didn't wash these floors; you would sweep them as best you could using a tumbleweed or another natural broom. There wasn't very much rain in Wyoming---unless there was a huge one with a flash flood that would destroy the house anyway. Then another home would need to be built the same way. For these "improvements" the U.S. government would give away the farm to the homesteader.

3) They tangled 'round the MARKER rocks...

These MARKER ROCKS were piled upon the grave to discourage wolves and coyotes from digging up the deceased bodies and devouring them. The rocks didn't always work.

I do hope this helps some!

All the best,

Art Thieme

Subject: Lyr Add: COWBOY'S BARBARA ALLEN
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 11:17 AM

I'm less confident with the next one, though there are many similar versions to compare. However, I couldn't solve my problems in the first and last verse.

Wolfgang

COWBOY'S BARBARA ALLEN

Near (Medicine Bough?) where I was born,
there was a fair maid dwelling,
made all the boys ride saddle sore
and her name was Barbara Allen. (rep. last line in all verses)

'Twas in the merry month of May,
green buds they were swelling,
young Billy come to the Western Range,
come a courting Barbara Allen.

'Twas in the merry month of June,
green leaves they was blooming,
young Billy on his deathbed lay,
just for loving Barbara Allen.

We (sent?) a message out to her
place where she was (dogging?),
saying come and see young Billy today,
all we think that he is dying.

Now slowly, slowly she got up,
slowly she went to him,
and when she pulled the blanket back
said: „Bill, I guess you're dying."

„Yes, I am sick, I'm very sick,
I never shall get better
until I get the love of you,
oh, the love of Barbara Allen."

Well, as she went walking back through the brush,
she heard the cattle moaning,
and every moan they seemed to say:
Hard-hearted Barbara Allen.

„Oh father, oh father, go dig my grave,
dig it deep and narrow.
Young Billy died for me today,
I'm gonna die for him tomorrow.

We buried her in the old churchyard,
Bill his grave was nigh her,
and from his grave grew a red red rose,
and from hers grew a briar.

Well, they tangled 'round the (?) rocks,
they couldn't grow no higher,
and there they tied the true love knot,
oh, the rose and the thorny briar.

Rep. first verse

Subject: Lyr Add: HANDFUL OF SONGS (Jerry Rasmussen)^^
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 10:38 AM

I did a bit of careful listening and here I'm again posting another song from that CD. I don't expect too many mistakes in this one, but don't hesitate to correct where I'm wrong.

Wolfgang

HANDFUL OF SONGS
(Jerry Rasmussen)
As recorded by Jerry Rasmussen on "Handful of Songs" (2006)

All that I have is my grandfather's hammer,
And his old railroad watch with the casing all worn,
And the bible my grandmother bought her last Christmas,
That she gave to my mother, now she's passed it on.

Ch.: And some may leave money from a lifetime of savings,
Some just their name on a marble stone.
And it's not what you leave, it's the joy of remembering
And all I can leave you is a handful of songs.

Some may leave stories, well tuned in the telling
Some may leave jokes that can still make you laugh,
some may leave lessons, hard in the learning,
And some just a smile in an old photograph

How many days slip away without notice,
How many friends have we lost on the way,
How many good times are taken for granted
And only remembered when they've passed away.

WH ^^

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Ritchie
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 09:02 AM

Hey Art,

Got the CD and don't you know....no tax.

I was passing home whist out working in the area and thought it a good idea if I popped in. Imagine my delight when I found a parcel. I quickly opened it up , destroyed and disposed of the packaging and put the CD's on for a quick spin.I had also bought Chuck E Weiss & a band called the Tractors taking advantage of the lower prices of CD's. from the States.

That evening on my official return from work my wife asked if there had been any mail ."Just the usual junk stuff I told her" " what about the CD's ?" she asked.She had called home her self ,saw the CD's but decided to say nothing and just leave them for me to find ! She knew exactly what I would do.Damn she knows me better than I know myself.

Excellent stuff Art, it was like having a friend play in the kitchen, but I think I liked it best when my young son ,who was in the other room when I was playing your CD came into the room and said that for a moment he thought that it was me singing and playing...praise indeed ..now I've arrived.

Ritchie, son of Art.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 06:38 PM

Dan, I figure it shows that, even in those olden times, some bosses didn't hire anyone that smoked cigarettes. Why only tar is mentioned, and not nicotine, I've no idea. ;-)

Actually, for some vague reason the guy wasn't interested in having former sailors on his work gang. Were seafaring guys bad workers? Possibly he'd had a bad experience with sailors in the past.

HANK, Thanks! My head was gettin' so/too big & it was ready to explode. I needed that. Some folks tell the truth, others have tact. As my wife says, I'm an acquired taste.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 04:02 AM

Hi Art!

I hope your move went well.

I'm giving a little talk in a few days and I'll be using a few recorded musical illustrations. I think "Jerry, Go And Oil The Car" will fit in nicely. I'm wondering whether you have any feeling about the meaning of the phrase "he never hired a tar" in that song. Send me a personal message if that's easiest. Many thanks.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 12:47 PM

LMAO at Hank! Guess you are saying what we all knew...Art grows on you! I'll bet Art, who is not known for shyness, appreciates your candor, Hank.Great blues picking on "Betty and Dupree",dontcha think?

Subject: RE: Art Thieme's New CD
From: Hank
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 09:04 AM

I finially gave in to all the pressure and bought a copy. When I first tossed it in the Cd player I wondered what I had just done. To put it bluntly, it was the most horrid of any CD I've bought. After my 10th listenting in 5 days, I can say without a doubt that when something starts out at rock bottom there is no place to go but up, and this CD has gone up rather fast. Great work Art. I was at "Share the Fun" (a 4-H thing, 10 clubs each put on a one act play) and between clubs there was time for anyone to tell jokes or sing. If I'd have had the CD longer (enough to memorise it) I would have used the entire thing to entertain the audiance. It would have been perfect, inbetween Alice the Camel and a imprompto skit that I can't describe in the amount of time I feel like devoting to it.