Big And Tall Records got a call from Buzzy's manager that he had a song ready to be recorded. When we asked the agent how Buzzy was feeling, it's always the same answer: "Never better! Ready to be picked up and record a big hit!" Wwe know better than to trust the agent's judgement. Buzzy has had a lot of major health issues, and still does. Last thing we need to do is rush out to where he is, a good hours drive, only to see that he's not feeling well. Buzzy is a real trooper, always tried to insist on coming anyway, so it's a real problem getting hi mto stay where he should and that we'll be back another time. So we gave his Cardiologist a call.
The cardiologist is a big blues fan, and is footing the bill out of his own pocket for Buzzy's stay at the rest home. By the way, don't think it's as bad as the picture looks in the illustration for the video. That was mocked up by our art department to m ake it look old and beat up, what they thought would be more appropriate for the song. No, Buzzy's room is a clean and comfortable large room in a very nice facility, a facility Buzzy wouldn't be in if it weren't for his cardiologist paying for it. So we finally got through to the doctor, a very busy man. He told us that indeed, Buzzy is doing very well. Most of his health issues are stable, and Buzzy is working with the doctors, nutritionists, and nurses to stay that way. He still can't walk very well, probably never will be able to shake the wheel chair, but otherwise he's as healthy as can be, all things considered.
We hired an ambulance to bring him to the studio and take him back, just in case he has any problems, and we draw straws as who is going to go along. Buzzy always wants some company for the trip. It was our editor's turn to go along, and so we knew we'd get a good report of how things went. Here's what he had to say:
Buzzy was in good spirits, was really anxious to get the new song in the can. He said he'd been working on it for quite some time, and got it finished sooner than he thought. He's been getting less visitors now than when he first went to the home. I told him that wad understandable, as the hard-core blues musicians would be there first to pick his brains first, that other fans would be trickling in. He said he didn't mind. He had so many musicians visit that it would leave him worn out.
He told me about the song on the way, how he got the blues one day while he was sitting in his chair looking out the window at the bright sunny day. I told him he could've asked to be wheeled outside, it would have done him good. But he said that wasn't the point. The point was he couldn't go outside on his own and do what he wanted. But he said working on the song really helped, and he wanted to assure me he wasn't off the deep end depressed about things like he used to get. Just the realization yet again how much his life had changed. He was grateful that his life hadn't ended! We agreed with that!
When I sat in on the session, I was amazed at how much stronger his voice was! No more weak wobble to it after he sang for a while. He sang the song over many times to satisfy himself, and the voice was good from the first to the last. And on the trip back to the home he didn't drift off to sleep like usual. And his playing! He made some stellar moves on that old resonator steel guitar he's got! He had suggested some backing for this song as well, something he doesn't always do. Been a mostly solo act all his career, but he said he needed some solid, steady drum backing and other light backing.
Watchin' afternoon shadows pass...
Roses bloomin' willow trees grow tall,
Sure looks different when you're starin' at a wall
Got the rest home blues
Got the rest home blues
Hear the squeak of rubber shoes down the corridor,
They bring my medicine then lock the door
Nurse gives me a smile, says 'Buzzy, take it slow’
She don’t know about the places my mind can go
My heart’s got a zipper, and my legs don't move
But this old left hand still 'members the groove
Got the rest home blues but ain't resting yet
Payin' a debt to the road I can't forget
Doctor bought the room, doctor pays the bill
But the slide on this steel is sure 'gainst my will
Can hold my body, can watch my charts
But can't put a leash on a heavy-rollin' heart.
Sun's goin down o'er the manicured lawn
Another day sittin' here, another day gone
When the lights go dim, and the halls get quiet
Me and this steel guitar gonna start us a riot
I might be in a chair, might be slow to stand,
But I’m still the baddest bluesman in this whole damn land.
Yeah, looking out the window
Watching the shadows grow long
Still got the mojo, it just lives in a different song.
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