DAY WORKIN (17 tracks) and PENSIVE 'N' PLAYFUL (24 tracks) Cowboy Poetry CD $15.00 each (includes shipping) All originals.
DAY WORKIN' is a collection of Mark's original poetry and snippets of cowboy culture. It draws inspiration from toil with horses and cattle, it pays honor to cow-folk's values, and stands as a reminder to embrace the ethics, grit, sorrows and elation of cowboy life.
Some whimsical, some poignant, others pensive. Seventeen tracks of original poetic parlance and rhymsical recitin' of cowboy culture then and now.
DAY WORKIN" - Review by Rick Huff, International Western Music Association:
“In his release “Day Workin’” New York cowboy poet Mark Munzert takes you through various possible events that might occur during the cowboy’s day, so the trappings are basically in the familiar territory of Cowboy Arts & Sciences. But the works are written convincingly and, due to Munzert’s vocal flexibility, the delivery’s better than sometimes is the case. Able musical support comes from our old buddy Ernie Sites along with Patrick Stanfield Jones and Max Munzert. Picks include “Cowpokes In A Heap,” “Wind Pumps On The Mesa,” “Round Pen Blues” (a lot said with an economy of words...very cowboy, that!), “I Should, I Could, If Only,” the autobiographically true “Good Hand,” “Bonded” (with its’ O.Henry style ending), “Roadmap’s Merry’d Christmas,” “Influence” (with its tone of acceptance) and “First Ride” (another autobiographical poem embellished only in the truest Cowboy sense to fortify the yarn)!
Review by Bob Kisken of Rope Burns (rope burns.org) August 30 2018.
"Mark recently released a CD of his poetry, Day Workin’. It consists of seventeen of his poems in which he writes about his experiences. Mark is a heck-of-a performer and his poetry is fun to listen to. Don’t take my word, go out and buy the CD and see for yourself. His recitation of poems are accompanied by background sounds, mostly music, which fit the meanings of the poems. For example: joyful, when he writes about a way of life he loves; light and airy, when humor is there; and fast, when action is there. My favorite poem about fixing windmills is accompanied by the sounds they make when the wind is blowing. I have read a poem about hay and listened to a song about fencing, for some reason, I enjoy songs or poems about parts of ranching which are not action filled or romantic. Here are some of my favorites, probably would change from day to day depending on my mood:
Windpumps on the Mesa - my favorite
Doggone Dog - this poem is about a farrier and his dog, clever ending.
Good Hand - poem about what’s important to a cowboy
Laid to Rest - reminds me of a funeral a friend of mine told me about
Roadmaps’ Merry’d Christmas - interesting characters out there that we all have met.
Hope this review explains why I like this CD so much.
Get the CD, sit in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee, you’re in for an enjoyable ride!"
PENSIVE 'N' PLAYFUL is a look under the brim of the life circumstance and guffaws of contemporary cowboy. Real life happenings, dilemmas, and triumphs written from experience.
PENSIVE 'N' PLAYFUL Review by Rick Huff, International Western Music Association: "A straight-forward Cowboy Poetry collection awaits you in Mark Munzert's new one. He gives you the titles, then gives you the poems...no muss, no fuss! Munzert's quicker portraits get in and out with purpose, and when he chooses to tell a story he tells a good one, original and worthy.
Rhythmically...and by this I mean listening straight through from one work to the next...I will say for my ear the tracks are tightly packed. But "what I've heard" here is sturdy stuff. Picks include "Don't Worry, We'll Get Through for its scope, "High 'n' Low" for its spare yet strong images, "Peril" for...nope, y'better experience it for yourself, "Cougar" for the opposite reason than "Peril," "Kneaded Relief", and a fine horse moment, "Mustang Sally" a more than broken horse spirit, "An Old Cowboy Would" for sheer originality and "Great Unexpectations" for his picture of the kind of day poetry can best portray.
As a performer, Mark Munzert may not be the "actor" some are, but he's more Poet than many. Twenty-four tracks, recommended.
Contact Mark at: [email protected] to order yours, $15 each individually or $25 for both CD's.
Not only are cowboy poets few in number, in the grand scheme of this big world in which we live, they are also unique. While most have an influence of someone they have heard or read or been around, they seem to find their style. Mark Munzert is as unique and self styled as anyone I have ever known, heard or read. When you see Mark on stage or find yourself deeply enthralled in the writings of this book, “Pensive and Playful” you will hear only his style and his insight into stories that fit a well seasoned character. This cowboy poet speaks of personal happenings and experiences in ways that paint the picture and make you feel you are part of the story. That is art in and of itself that not all writers can achieve. Part of Mark Munzert’s style of portrayal is a modified, abbreviated way of shortening his phrases to make them punch and amplify the effect. This is a calculated, well crafted part of who this writer is. He uses this element often and well. Sometimes it comes without expectation to suddenly illuminate the page, or stage and you feel its force. In knowing Mark as a friend and entertainer for a number of years, my first impression was, I was impressed. After many years of watching him grow and hone his art and skills, I count it an honor to know someone of Mark’s caliber and person. He has the background and is a cowboy by work and reputation. More so, he has ‘cowboy’ in his heart. His days of riding and working cattle give him the solid foundation to relate stories to us that only someone who has been there and done that can do. From bringing in cow herds through blizzarding snow storms, to talking about young men with a drug habit, heart and wisdom shine through. Lower down your pail deep into the cool, refreshing well of this book and you will draw out waters of knowledge, wisdom, wit, laughter and appreciation for the skill and insight Mark possesses. You’ll learn new words, new stories and perhaps a new way of looking at certain happenings in your own life. This first edition from Mark is a book you will pick up and not put down until you’ve finished reading all the way through. I am confident there will be more books to follow this one and each one will only add to the wonderful foundation of this edition, “Pensive and Playful.” This very title will cause you to think, and wet your appetite for what is coming within its pages. Enjoy this book.
Del Shields
Del Shields is: the Producer and Host of RFD-TV’s longest running show, The Best of America by Horseback; a true to life singing cowboy and poet; a morally compass guided husband, father, son, family member and friend to many. As a Producer and Host, he and wife Shevawn, have elevated an already recognized program to exceptional heights enhancing equestrians' lives. The generationally influenced musician and singer has released five albums with many contributions achieving top level status and airplay from western radio. Del also writes a weekly column of poetic nature for a regionally oriented newspaper. Among the horseman’s endeavors are the operation of his Humboldt KS ranch and his invention of the Handy-Hookup Chain Securing System, a solution for quick, easy, and safe trailer connections.
Shields and Munzert met at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills TN where both performed for Equestrian Legacy Radio’s Rendezvous 2017. They later reconnected in Abilene, Kansas where Mark tossed his hat into the foray of the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, an event with competition between cowboy poets that fostered lifelong friendships.
