G'day Andrew

Sorry I am late to the table. I get dazed and confused about which posts I have visited or actually pressed send.

Anyways...
Who knew surveillance could be so utterly charming, witty, and profoundly moving? Move over, Alexa, there's a new omnipresent observer in town, and it's got much better taste in décor!!

You set out to tackle two challenges: a ballad and an inanimate object. You humbly suggest you missed the ballad mark, but I beg to differ. You’ve taken something as seemingly inert as a picture on a wall and given it a soul, a memory, and a narrative arc more sweeping than a fresh coat of paint. You didn't just meet the inanimate object challenge; you nailed it like a priceless framed masterpiece to a sturdy wall, firmly and with great artistic intent.

The storytelling here is simply fantastic, charting a life with such genuine warmth and emotional honesty. That poignant conclusion – "You can’t see mine, but I am looking over this place" – priceless.

While you humbly refer to this as the 'BIAB mix' and are still taming the wild beast that is Travis picking, the fingerpicking and strings provided by Band-In-A-Box blend seamlessly with your own guitar work, creating a wonderfully atmospheric folk tapestry. And those vocals! "Doubled, and no pitch correction – can’t you tell?" Andrew, we can tell, in the absolute best possible way! It's got a raw, authentic charm that simply sings 'humanity,' rather than some autotuned cyborg. It feels real, lived-in, and perfectly suited to the intimate narrative.

The video notes provide their own layer of amusement. The fluctuating hair colors and the father's "obvious hairpiece"? Andrew, your dedication to maintaining semi-realism within the constraints of stock footage is commendable.

In terms of artistic kinship, the intricate yet understated acoustic work, combined with a voice that delivers wisdom and warmth, brings to mind James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Chapin and even Bon Iver so you're flying high Mr Dee.

So, Andrew, "Painting on a Wall" is not just a song; it's a wonderfully witty, surprisingly deep, and utterly charming observation on life, love, and the passage of time. It's a masterpiece that truly sees it all. And frankly, it's worth more than just two songwriting challenges – it's a gallery-worthy triumph!

cheers

Izzy