Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)

Subject: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: DebC
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 12:01 PM

Art Thieme's CD "CHICAGO TOWN AND POINTS WEST" was featured in the Boston Globe's CD Report that appears every Friday in the Weekend section. No surprise, tho that bthe writer was none other than Scott Alarik.

Here's the link

Good on ya, Art!! May this translate into many new fans.

Deb

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: JedMarum
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 12:08 PM

Good stuff from the Globe. Thanks for posting it Deb.

Nice words for a fine man and valued folkie. An American gem!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 12:27 PM

Now, that's the sort of thing that's supposed to be copy-pasted at Mudcat.

Art Thieme
          CHICAGO TOWN AND POINTS WEST
Folk Legacy
For nearly 40 years, Art Thieme has been the Midwest's unofficial folk singer laureate, beloved for his vast traditional repertoire, puckish wit, and lilting, whisper-sweet voice. Now sidelined by MS, he's collected a delicious candy box of songs, recorded live in the '70s and '80s. Accompanying himself on guitar, banjo, or jaw harp, he rambles through regional gems, silly frolic songs, and old pop chestnuts, including a delightful yawn of Hoagy Carmichael's `` Lazy Bones." Between-song banter is culled from the tall-tale tendencies of American folk humor. He swears that his grandfather made a fortune selling Cheerios as doughnut seeds and that he'd heard of prairies so vast that a mountain man used an eight-hour echo as an alarm clock. But his forte is bringing obscure narrative ballads to life. Simply and grippingly, he finds the drama in ordinary life, singing of homesick soldiers and parted lovers, remorseful convicts and dying cowboys.   The result is a gentle odyssey through American culture, as epic as our history, and as friendly as an afternoon with your favorite uncle.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: ``Diamond Jo"
SCOTT ALARIK

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: DebC
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 12:51 PM

I would have, but I never know about the use laws. I just thought a link would be the right thing to do. I know that it's frowned on with some of the email lists I belong to.

Anyway, glad to alert the masses.

Deb

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 01:06 PM

No praise is too high for the one and only, wonderful, Art. Byurl.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 01:29 PM

Sometimes the material on the link goes away, so it is nice to have a copy here in the thread. Thanks for calling this to our attention!

SRS

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 01:59 PM

Scott has done wonders writting with the Boston Globe & bringing us folk gems like this. I'm glad to see Art get his due here in The Folk City of the East. Congrats Art If there's ever a reason to get to Chicago, it's you.
All the Best
Barry

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 02:20 PM

Aw, waddaya expect from a guy like Art Thieme? Anyway?

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 02:31 PM

Thanks, Deb! That's wonderful, beautifuuly written and every word of it is true!

luvyaFineArt!!

kat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Don Firth
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 03:30 PM

GREAT! Way to go, Art!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Bob Coltman
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 04:34 PM

Few could deserve it more...congratulations, Art! Bob

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 06:18 PM

Thanks folks! I just found it myself about an hour ago. Scott e-mailed personally to let me know about it. I feel constrained to mention that it is on FOLK LEGACY RECORDS from Sandy and Caroline Paton at www.folklegacy.com

SRS/Maggie, Jerry, Joy & Hildebrand and all,
I must take this opportunity to let you know that I'm having ball with the Roxio--Easy Media Creator-8" software for making CDs from my cassettes. Ever since Chris got here to install it and clue me in on how to use it, I've been having a ball. But Carol hasn't seen me in a week now. It's really addictive!!!!!!!!

Today I'm putting together a CD from rather deteriorated tapes of Jack Elliott's shows at the second University Of Chicago Folk Festival in 1962! That was Doc Watson's first trip to Chicago with Clarence Ashley. What heady times those were! Rev. Gary Davis and the New Lost City Ramblers and more were there then.

Thanks again good people--to all who participated in making this come about. I'm amazed at you all. We just got home from another   trip up to Rockford today for another of Carol's ongoing treatments, and we're exhausted.

Thanks for the comments on this thread as well.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 07:30 PM

Good to see you enjoying yourself Art!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 08:37 PM

Jaysus, Art! You oughta have a National Endowment of a gazillion dollars for all of the archival work you are doing! That is precious stuff!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 01:21 AM

Art, I'm so glad! Thanks for letting us know that this system is working for you, and thanks to Jerry for recommending it. Consider this a Mudcat endowment for the Art.

(ducks and runs)

Maggie

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: bbc
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 07:42 PM

Very nice review, Art, but Scott only did you justice.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 10:12 PM

Art, if only for your music alone, you will be immortal. Then when one throws in all that you do to pass on your life's work of collecting photo's, music, wobbly recordings ....... You have carved yourself a helluva place in history. I am so proud to be able to say we are friends. Thanks so much to Scott Alarik for this recognition.

Want to really thank Art? Go to Folk Legacy and order the CD.

Love ya, Bro.

Mick

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 09:57 PM

I have been listening to a series of Art's albums ... I've always enjoyed them, right from the start - just listening to his playing and singing - and to the song intros - you know, the things you listen to CDs for; the music!

But as I listen more and deeper, I've really begin to appreciate the depth and breadth of the "folklorist" work too. I mean I first just listened because I liked the sounds. But there is signifcant value just beneath the surface too - the stories these songs tell, the people they bring to life ... the contributions they keep alive. Well Art, your works could be the stuff of whole courses of study!

Thanks Art. Thanks for digging this music up and thanks for passing it on so beautifully - so eloquently!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 09:59 PM

... and now that I think about it, this brings more meaning to "The Older I Get the Better I Was."

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 10:21 PM

Congratulations, Art ole' buddy!

No one deserves the accolades more than you.

No one.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 11:41 PM

A great CD. As I've said here before, when you hear a song Art sings, you always hear it back in Art's voice.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 12:25 AM

Phil,
I guess you are correct. I've noticed that. Every song I've ever sung sounds to me too, pretty much, like it's in my voice. ;-)

On Labor Day Monday Carol and I will be transported to the FOX VALLEY FOLK AND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL in Geneva, Illinois on beauteous Island Park right smack-dab in the middle of the Fox River. It's a wonderful festival---the absolutely best one in Illinois. Right off U.S. route 38 about 35 miles west of Chicago. A wonderful lineup of stellar performers and pickers. Come one---come all!!!

And a huge thank you to Juel Ulven, Terri Byerly, George Dirkson and all for hauling us there and back now that we aren't driving. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me to be able to see and hear so many old friends! I might even get a haircut for this!!
I've been asked to sit in with Mark Dvorak and Juel and other Chicago folk scene old timers for a bull session tale-swap about the mesmerizing folkie nightlife thing we had in that good city. But---with no Fred Holstein or Tom Dundee or Mike Jordan or Ginni Clemmens--and the ranks now scattered---it will be truly bitter/sweet to delve into those memories and mental ruminations. But the humor of it all will win out, I'm know, like it always did/does! So---come one, come all. ------- Martin Gibson, I'd still like to shake your hand!!!!! Let them begonias be begonias...

Love to all,

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 12:42 AM

Scott Alarik is a man of supreme taste and judgement - and a folkie himself.
Good one, Art!

Seamus Kennedy

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 01:07 AM

Seamus, thanks! I'm honored to know you via Mudcat -- here in cyberspace.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: chazkratz
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 04:48 AM

I can't think of anyone I'd rather listen to, Art--so I had to buy this (and a couple of others I don't yet have). Like the cheese-eating cat sitting in front of the mouse hole, I'm waiting with baited breath.

Charles (--seed)

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,chazkratz
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 05:11 PM

Art, I've been listening with great joy to "On the Wilderness Road" and "That's the Ticket."--wonderful tunes, great singing and playing, and your inimitable story telling. One tune in particular, "Shake Sugaree" has me puzzled. It sounds like you had Scruggs/Keith tuners on the guitar, either that or you were pre-choking strings then letting them go. I suppose it could also be bottleneck, but it doesn't quite sound like that, either (it would be hard to keep other strings from sounding along with the intended string). Whatever, it is a wonderful effect in a beautiful rendition of the song.

Charles

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: MAG
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 05:30 PM

I don't suppose there is a tape of this??

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 08:15 PM

Charles,

What nice comments to hear from you on that song! I'm not sure what you're hearing in my rendition. I don't think I did any of those things you're describing/accusing me of. But it's good to know that you enjoyed it.

MAG,

It's on the CD called "That's The Ticket"--from www.folklegacy.com

But if you need a cassette, that can be had from Sandy and Caroline too.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 01:49 AM

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,chazkratz
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 03:05 AM

Oops. I hit the send button before responding. Art, in that song you play a very different style of guitar than I have ever heard from you--for one thing, you play this as a guitar tune on which you add your vocals almost as an afterthought, where in everything else, you play beautiful but simple backups to your vocals, the song being the important thing. Specifically I'm referring to the many notes that start on one pitch then drop smoothly to a lower pitch, as if either pre-choked to the higher note and allow to bend smoothly down to the lower. None of the chokes or slides go up, all only down. It sounds much like banjo detuners, or like very precise bottleneck playing with no other strings touched than the one which drops in tone. Anyway, it is quite beautiful and quite different from any other guitar playing I've heard from you...and I don't think I've ever heard the same kind of drop slide from anyone else.

Charles

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: kendall
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:52 AM

Good on you, Mate! Is this what they mean by "Giving the devil his due"?

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:55 AM

Congrats, buddy. Bask in your just desserts.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: chazkratz
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 05:42 PM

revive

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 11:27 PM

Charles,

Now that you force me to think back to the 1980s, I do remember wanting that track to have a sound that was a bit "different" than my normal attack on the guitar. I didn't mention this to Sandy in his big room recording studio. But I wasn't happy with the few takes we had done that day. So, for the next take (it turned out to be the last one) I simply removed my picks and did the song with bare fingers---something I never ever did. I always played with a thumb pick and two metal finger picks. The result felt very uncomfortable while I was doing it. But it sounded pretty O.K. and I was getting tired that day, so we went with that one. I was happy because it didn't sound like the rather crisp picking I did normally. Maybe that is some of what you are hearing. But I didn't have any Scruggs type tuners etc. It was possibly done with the Martin D-76 I'd converted to a 9-string guitar which had doubled up unison first, second, and third strings. There were no octave strings anywhere on that 9-string guitar. It could be you are hearing some overtones from the doubled strings possibly being slightly out of tune with each other. That could give another aspect, and an illusion of extra depth--or slight echo or phase shift.

Chris, our son, has that guitar now that I'm not able to pick.

I hadn't remembered any of this before you mentioned it. You've forced me to examine my memory banks and come up with possibilities. Pretty fascinating. I made the 9-sting to get extra sound when strumming -- so I could pick less and still have more---ala Bob Gibson. It was still 17 years before I would be diagnosed with MS---and my hands were beginning to exhibit numbness. I was trying to adapt to my changing realities. In '97, after 4 spinal and neck surgeries trying to alleviate my NUMEROUS symptoms, Mayo Clinic got the diagnosis right.

That was the first and last time I ever played guitar without picks on.

Still, strangely, I never used picks when I played banjo.----- What a tangled web we weave.

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: MAG
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 02:46 AM

i've got those, Art. i think I was confusing this with the Fox Valley thread. I would have loved to hear you doing your thing with Juel, et. al.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: chazkratz
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 03:20 PM

Art, I think I figured it out: after further listening, I realized that the drop in pitch was only about a third to a half a tone, not a whole tone as I had believed on my first couple of times hearing it. Now it sounds as if you fretted hard, perhaps up against the fret wire, and then slowly released the fretting tension enough to reduce the stretching of the string but not enough so the string was no longer fretted. It happens a beat after the word "sugaree" in each verse and in the same place in the breaks. Anyway, it adds a great nostalgic accent to a wonderfully nostalgic song and performance. This has got to be my favorite of all your songs.

Charles

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: Kaleea
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 03:49 PM

It never ceases to amaze me that in this world of modern technology and artificial noises being continually more distorted in the name of Music, a jewel of yesterday survives to give the youngins an opportunity to hear the true Art. Was it only a couple of decades ago that fingerpickin' was common?
(sigh!) If only history could repeat itself and we could again speak (& sing) in reverent and hushed tones of "The day that fingerpickers took over the world" in the 21st century!

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: chazkratz
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 08:27 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme again...
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 12:13 AM

Well, thanks again folks. MaryAnn, It was just great to be at Fox Valley Fest and spend the day seeing old friends. I'm sorry I missed you!------- Kaleea, have we met before?

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: chazkratz
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 06:28 PM

I just got into "Chicago and Points West," and it is indeed another gem, from start to finish--the Jim Bridger tale ranks right up there with the great turtle drive as wonderful tall tale telling*, there are two fine examples of Art's clawhammer playing on "The Scottish Soldier," which ends with a rendition of "Scotland the Brave," and "San Antonio Rose." And, of course, a whole bunch of wonderful songs.

*Art, how in hell could you maintain a straight face when telling these stories?

Charles

Subject: RE: Art Thieme in Boston Globe (8/18/06)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 06:15 PM

It was easy.

I'm straight!

Art