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Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 27, No. 10
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be October 2nd.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
If you want the zoom meeting details,
please e-mail us at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2022. It costs only $5 per year,
and it helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's
paypal account. The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
Stax
by Jackie Mason
This article has an interesting journey behind it. In last month’s article I quoted a line from a song titled “You Don’t Miss Your Water.” I found out the song was written by William Bell. Coincidentally I was working on another song written by William Bell titled “Any Other Way.” I’d never heard of William Bell so I did some research on him. The Artist Way encourages us to be alert for coincidences. It doesn’t call it coincidence but synchronicity. There’s a spiritual component to the Artist Way. Nothing heavy. I call it an affirmation from the universe.
William Bell is a songwriter and worked for Stax Records in the 1960’s. I am still researching him but I have discovered that he has a very good portfolio of songs. I am going to talk about the song I was learning. The one I said I was working on. To clarify, I was learning the words and chords of the song. The song “Any Other Way” is a slow, “bluesy ballad” with a simple story. Two former lovers with a common acquaintance who passes messages between two. The first singer that I heard cover “Any Other Way” was Jackie Shane or Little Jackie Shane. Here is a link to her version :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiDVfi5dVp0 Jackie Shane was a transgender soul singer from Nashville, Tennessee.
This article seems to have strands. It’s a ball of wool that is still unraveling. It’s also about time. Going back in time to Toronto, Canada in the 1960’s where Jackie Shane was a top draw entertainer. It also goes back in time to Memphis where the Stax Record Company was located. It’s about musical time because that’s what is central to this music. The house drummer for Stax was known as “the Human Timekeeper.” The house band was Booker T and the MGs.
I have often thought about Jackie’s story. How it must have been for a black trans person living in the deep south during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Toronto and Montreal must have felt liberating for her. I found this amazing audio documentary about her compelling life story.
https://soundcloud.com/elainebanks/the-jackie-shane-story Sadly there is only one video of Jackie performing and there are a couple of albums available. Her version of “Any Other Way’ was a local hit. She passed in 2019. Wikipedia has her bio.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Shane
I’m a fan of simple approaches to songwriting.William Bell makes it seem easy. Here is a link to William’s version of his own song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msa5LRtIJ-k and his co-writer Chuck Jackson’s version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44EMPi6EAcw
Three different versions. Three different arrangements of a well written pop song with a story to tell. I’m biased and I like Jackie’s version the best. I love the sound of the horns on her version. It’s a languid feeling to my ears.
I played one of Jackie’s performances to a drummer friend of mine. We had been discussing musical time. She likened the music to Motown. I knew what she meant but on reflection I think it’s closer to Stax. Listen to the languid vibe on William Bell’s version of “You Don’t Miss Your Water.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJPAwKPD9KU and then compare it to Otis Redding’s version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dHaMV_eXko It’s back to that word “bluesy” again. The emotion of his voice sells it. It’s the same kind of verse/chorus song as “Any Other Way.” I call it economical songwriting.
I’m still prowling the halls of the Tower of Song. Stay safe everyone.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call SusieCool
with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for September, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2022 ISG