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The Botox Blues

final episode:

(Scene: A cosy living room. Izzy, with a neatly dishevelled air, strums a well-loved acoustic guitar, looking perplexed. Gerda, sips her tea, watching him with an amused glint in her eye.)

Izzy: (Sighs dramatically, letting a mournful, non-bluesy chord fade) Oh, blimey, Gerdsy. This is harder than I thought. Much harder.

Gerda: (Setting down her teacup with a soft clink) Ze blues, Izzy? From you? Zat is a challenge, ja? You are too… sunshine. Too full of ze… joie de vivre.

Izzy: Precisely! You love your blues, don't you? Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf… all that raw emotion, that pain!, but how on earth am I meant to channel heartbreak and despair when my life with you is nothing short of a perpetual garden party? My soul is practically skipping! Every line I write sounds like a jingle for marmalade!

Gerda: (Her smile widens, a mischievous spark in her eyes) Ach, Izzy. You look for ze suffering? Ze tears? Ze lamenting?

Izzy: (Nods eagerly) Precisely! I need inspiration for true, deep blues!

Gerda: (Deadpan, then a wide, mischievous grin spreads across her face) Just go look in ze mirror, mein Schatz. At your face. Zat should be enough blues for anyone.

Izzy: My… my face?! Darling, that’s a bit rich, isn’t it? I thought you found it… charmingly craggy!

Gerda: (Waving a dismissive hand, still chuckling) Only for de art, my schatzi! Only for de art! Now, go! De blues avaites you!


The End.


Lyrics on Soundcloud
Tempo 92bpm Key G 4/4
Style is _BARREN.STY (Barren Road Blues Shuffle)
3248 Guitar Electric Soloist
Real Drums PopShuffleSlow
2886 Guitar Acoustic Rhythm Blues Shuffle
2624 Guitar Baritone Electric Rhythm
Organ - Friend
Bass - Friend
Vox - Yours truely.

Really filled my room with a wall of sound...so well done..and clever song idea..it shows the attention to detail that you worked the ending instead of just letting BIAB "end" it...great post!

SOooo...a happy ending? Gerda got the blues, so it made her happy? Or at least pragmatically pleased?

Your song sounds great, just EXPLODING with energy. Have to admit, I see Gerda's point about the blues, or at least the way you deliver them. That's quite a punch!

Super song!

Izzy, I love the blues so you know that I will love this song
Outstanding blues
The only other thing that I have to say is
I loved it

Good vocals man - suits the song to a ‘T’! As Tom said - classic ending - which was called for.
Andrew D

Izzy,

Terrific Drivin' Blues. Big.
Nice use of BIAB - and Friends! Punchy Bass!
Nice vocals. Good mix.
Nice find on that solo...

Enjoyed.

fj

Cool song. I love that opener "I ain't pretty no ....I ain't gonna lie." Yeah! Fabulous vocal and the band/arrangement is darn good.

Izzy,

You’ve got an excellent sound. Awesome song, vocals and production. Worth many listens.

Bob

Izzy,

Now that's an awesome blues tune!! Very solid mix . . . all the elements shine. Very well done!!

Deej

Wow, what a great sounding track! Loved everything about this, well done.

Ah, thanks so much for your special influence on this guy, Gerda. WHen I saw the title, I knew you were the one who brought him to this excellent Blues. Izzy, I'm so glad you were able to translate that joie de vivre into this wonderful creation. You got the bug, man, now keep it blue. Sure Gerda is that special ray of sunshine that keeps that smile on your face, but the Blues CAN make you happy too. Just sayin'. Keep that mirror close, my friend. Only for the art, of course.

Great instrumentation in this blues song, love the guitar solo, but you can never have too much sunshine in your life.

Tom

Wow, thank you so much for such a fantastic review!
I hope it didn't knock any decor off your walls! And thanks for the nod on the idea – sometimes they just happen, sometimes they require a lot of staring blankly at a screen.
I especially appreciate you noticing the ending... it's incredibly gratifying to hear that effort paid off.
Your attention to detail in your feedback is truly encouraging. Thanks again for taking the time to listen and comment!

Oh and thanks also for being the all important first to comment.

Izzy

Hi Ron

Gerda's got this weird German logic thing going on. "Blues make sad. Sad make good song. Good song make Gerda happy. Therefore, blues make Gerda happy." It's airtight, I tell ya!

Thanks a ton for the kind words. "Exploding with energy" - that's exactly what I was going for! Glad it hit the mark. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment. Now if I can just bottle this "pragmatically pleased" feeling...

Best to you

Izzy

Mario

Glad you loved it just as I love your much apprieciated support!

Best regards

Izzy.

G'day Andrew

Phew, glad the vocals 'suit the song to a T' – on some days I worry I'm more of a 'Q' on fire! 😉

And yes, Tom's absolutely right about the classic ending. It was most certainly "called for"... mostly because I ran out of ideas for anything else, so "classic" felt like the safest bet.

Really appreciate you listening and the kind words! Cheers!

Izzy

Floyd

Floyd, you're too kind! Glad you enjoyed the bluesmobile. The bass player will be insufferable now, but a small price to pay for a compliment like that coming from you! Thanks a million.

Always best regards

Izzy.

Haha, thanks, Scott! Glad that opening line grabbed you – honesty is the best policy, even if it's about not being pretty! 😉

Thrilled to hear you dug the vocal and the band's work too. Really appreciate the awesome feedback!

regard
Izzy.

Thanks Bob

I appreciate your kind words and multiple listens

Izzy

Cheers, Deej! Happy it hit the mark. Always good to hear the blues didn't make anyone else blue! Thanks for the awesome feedback!
PS Great to hear your music again, I missed your dulcet tones.

Izzy.

Dave

Getting the nod from such a highly esteemed and skilled blues afficionado as yourself is extra special!!

A huge ThankYou

best regards

Izzy.

Marty, you're a legend! Gerda's definitely my "special ray of sunshine" (and a constant source of gentle nagging about neglecting my minor chords!). I think she secretly enjoys my attempts to wrestle with the blues, even if it means momentarily dimming my "joie de vivre." I'll definitely keep that mirror handy... strictly for artistic purposes, of course! Thanks for the encouragement - I'll try to keep it blue (at least until Gerda drags me back into the sunshine!). Maybe I'll write a blues song about trying to write a blues song. Meta-blues, anyone? 😉

Best to you

Izzy

Always enjoy your songs, Izzy. This one has a great sound and is witty to boot. Me thinks you had lots of fun with it.

Good, raucous blues, just like I like em. Witty lyrics. Love your vocals. Was hoping for some harmonica, but that incredible solo guitar didn't need it. Great track!

After we put the monitors back on the shelf we much enjoyed it!

Awesome! This could be a bonus track off The Rolling Stones’ Blue and Lonesome album.

The write up for the song was quite enjoyable. Hated to come to "the end."

The solo guitar RT sounded great - never a small feat to choose the "right" one for a production.
Your friends fit nicely in too. The bass nailed the shuffle.
We hear a fine mix all around.

Two thumbs up from us - blues via a shuffle are so good - always.

Keep blues alive!

J&B

Thank you so much, Beth! You've totally nailed it. "Fun" was definitely had – I actually had to rein myself in a bit, lest the song become too gleeful.😏
It's nice to be among people like yourself who understand that music doesn't always have to be born of angst and late-night coffee. ☕︎ 👍
My therapist told me it's okay to admit I enjoy this, but it's much more comforting to hear it from a fellow forum member! 😉
Your kind words and spot-on observation mean a lot. 👏✔️
best to you
Izzy

Hey Bob,

So glad you enjoyed the track! Always good to hear the blues were sufficiently raucous for you.🔊 😆

And thanks for the kind words on the vocals – my throat appreciates it, especially after all that raucousness! 🗣

Funny you mention the harmonica – I was going to ask you to add one, but the guitar track just gave me "the look" and said, "Trust me, I got this. The harmonica can sit this one out." But NEXT time...............................

Really appreciate you taking the time to listen and leave such a great review. Cheers!

regards

Izzy.

Much appreciated Janice & Bud. Not quite the end.............

IZZY (Softly, chuckling) Gerda, my love, you won't believe this review... Janice and Bud just posted it.

GERDA (Eyes wide, practically lunging for the tablet) Ach du lieber Himmel! Let me see! Is it… is it gut? Veeery gut? Tell me zey liked my blues song!

Izzy carefully hands her the tablet. Gerda squints, then her eyes widen, slowly reading the text, mouthing some of the words.

GERDA (Reading slowly, with dramatic pauses) "After we put ze monitors back on ze shelf…" (She pauses, confused, looks up at Izzy) Zat is… very efficient! Good for cleanliness, Ja? Zey tidied up for us! Veeery thoughtful!

Izzy bites back a smile, shaking his head fondly.

GERDA (Beaming, reading on) "We much enjoyed it! Smile!" Oh, zey smiled! Zat is good! (Her voice picks up, growing more excited) "Awesome! Zis could be a bonus track off Ze Rolling Stones’ Blue and Lonesome album!" (She gasps, clutching the tablet to her chest) IZZY! Did you hear zat?! ZEY SAID ROLLING STONES! Like Blue and Lonesome! Zat is MY choosing, Izzy! MY blues brain zat said, "Let's make ze blues, Izzy! Ze real blues!"

She pats Izzy’s arm emphatically, nearly knocking his phone.

IZZY (Grinning) It was a great choice, Gerdsy. You were right.

GERDA (Waving a hand dismissively, focused on the review again) Of course I vas right! But zey… Janice und Bud… zey are not just critics, zey are… prophets of ze blues! Or perhaps… gurus of ze grooooove!

She squints back at the tablet, nodding vigorously.

GERDA "Ze write up for ze song vas quite enjoyable. Hated to come to 'ze end.'" Ach, zey vanted more of our vords! Next time, I write a book!

She dramatically points at the screen.

GERDA "Ze solo guitar RT sounded great - never a small feat to choose ze 'right' one for a production." Ja! RT is a genius! And zey know it! (She pats Izzy's arm again) And our friends! "Your friends fit nicely in too." Ja! Vee are a family of blues! And ze bass! "Ze bass nailed ze schuffle!" NAIL! Like a hammer! Pow! So accurate!

She makes a hammering motion with her fist. Izzy just watches her, amused.

GERDA (Beaming, puffing out her chest) "Vee hear a fine mix all around." Ja, Izzy! Ze mix! All zese tiny buttons you push, and it comes out fine! It is wonderful!

She holds up two fingers of one hand, then two fingers of the other, forming a "two thumbs up" gesture.

GERDA "Zwei thumbs up from us!" ZWEI! From Janice und Bud! Zat is like getting ze Bundesverdienstkreuz, but for blues! It is ze highest honour!

She stands up, full of triumphant energy.

GERDA (With immense pride, practically shouting) And ze best part! Ze most important part! "Blues via a schuffle are so good – always." And zen… zen zey say it! Ze vords of truth! (She strikes a pose like a conductor, pointing skyward) "KEEP BLUES ALIVE!"

She turns to Izzy, her eyes shining.

GERDA Vee vill! Vee vill keep ze blues alive! And zey, Janice und mein lieber Bud, zey are ze keepers of ze flame! I vill send zem a gratitude package! Perhaps some German Bratwurst! Zey deserve it!

Izzy smiles fondly, shaking his head slightly. He reaches out and gently takes the tablet from her, giving her hand a squeeze.

IZZY (Warmly) They certainly do, Gerdsy. They certainly do. And you, my blues queen, you deserve some rest.

GERDA (Still buzzing) Rest? After zat review? Nevair! Ze blues, Izzy, ze blues calls to me! I feel a new song coming! About… about monitors on shelves! It vill be a hit!

Izzy just laughs softly, pulling her into a hug.

THE REAL END.

Oh man, what a hilarious read. Gotta send this to some friends for sure.
You ever written a short story?

J&B