All For The Love Of Art -Guitarron original

guitarron · December 19, 2021, 09:38:56 PM

I struggled to find something to write a story about for StoryFest. I stumbled across the story of the worlds most successful art thief who never even sold one piece of art. Stéphane Breitweiser stole 239 artworks and other exhibits from 172 museums. He lived impoverished in his mother's attic apartment with his girlfriend and alleged accomplice. He basically horded the pieces for his own enjoyment and never sold anything. The pieces ranged from antiques to paintings with an estimated worth of about 1.4 billion dollars! He never brandished a weapon in the heists. Just a swiss army knife which he used to open display cases.
I was trying to write this as folk song. Sort of a minstrel thing. Definitely out of the box for me
Acoustic guitar doubles. 12 string lead (capoed up to sound mando-like). Accordion and flute. There's a little help from Mrs. Guitarron as well.
i probably should have rerecorded the lead vocal, It's a tongue-twister. Maybe later I will.

All For The Love Of Art

Stephane lived with his mother in Mulhouse France.
In an attic apartment with his girlfriend Anne
A self proclaimed connoisseur of
Pre Industrial Age art for sure
He worked odd jobs, Anne's a nurse
That's when they fell to a dreaded curse
See, there's-a thing called cacoëthes
A reckless urge that lies deep beneath us
All for the love of art.
First he stole a pistol on display
in Alsace France with Anne that day
Returning home 2 giddy lovers
to their humble flat undiscovered
And so it starts a 6 year spree of
casually setting these objects free
So many more things to him appeal.
So many more places where he could steal
All for the love of art
Over a billion in stolen treasure- stuffed in a flat for their own pleasure
Never sold a single thing He basked in the joy the art would bring
As years go by Anne grows leary of this stifling life alone and dreary
Although they have complete composure
In Amsterdam he risked exposure
All for the love of art
Sitting in a jail call all alone
Anne and mommy clear out the home
his love was ditched in the canal
the paintings burned at another locale
Anne and mom slapped on the wrist
For their egregious part in this
In and out of jail now several times
He just can't stop his love for crime
All for the love of art.

StephenM · December 20, 2021, 05:41:41 AM

amazing work Ron... great story that I would never have known without your excellent song...really love the accordion sound too...
I am glad that you are recording more these days...you are very talented. Now, all your years playing live can be a great conduit to future recordings...
thanks for the story... I will hear it again!

Blooby · December 20, 2021, 11:58:07 AM

Cool tune with really great instrumentation (love that subtle flute sound). Has kindled my GAS for a mando 12 string.

Blooby

StephenM · December 22, 2021, 04:54:57 AM

listening again, I think I have heard this 4 or 5 times and I never caught the little voices offering correction/scolding for mispronouncing the french word...clever...
a really fun listen Ron. funny thing about music is I prefer to listen alone because it bugs the heck out of me when people talk during songs...so I realize that is a bit obsessive on my part so I generally turn it off when people want to talk...we are not all the same...lol
anyway...really enjoyed this

tonyc · December 24, 2021, 02:43:07 AM

great listen ron , vocals and backing vocals brill , some smart instrumentation in the mix nice story , well worth another listen ......cheers tony cee

DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee · December 24, 2021, 03:43:13 AM

What a great story, you did really well with the vocals the lyrics are a bit of a touch hue twister lol.
Love the musical style, sends a bit like one of those old sea shanties. Lovely melodies throughout. The accordion and flute are really nice, great guitar playing too. And some nice additions from your wife.
Merry Christmas. Darren