Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 30, No. 06
June 2025
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be
Sunday June 1st at 5pm.
We will also send details closer to the date, under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
please e-mail us at isgorlando@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Hopefully we will eventually be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2025. 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.
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/
Another Craftsman
By Jackie Mason
I had other intentions for this article but I got sidetracked. Like Alice I tumbled down the musical rabbit hole. I discovered an artist who has been
part of the soundtrack to my life. I knew his name and was aware of one song that he’d written but I was surprised at how much other material
he’d contributed to or written.
His name is Allen Toussaint and he was a distinguished composer, pianist, producer and arranger. He passed in 2015 and was considered a
musical prince of New Orleans. The city turned out for his funeral. They know how to do a good funeral procession in that city. I remember being
14 years old and marvelling as another boy played guitar. I remember the song that he played. It was called “Fortune Teller.” It had been written
by Allen under the pseudonym of “Naomi Neville” which was actually his mother’s name. It was a big song on the Merseybeat circuit where
I grew up. A group called The Merseybeats covered it. So did The Hollies and The Who. The original was done by Benny Spellman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vjaYyIS6qw
My favorite version was by The Rolling Stones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMzSHW-mTU4
Another favorite of mine was “Working in the Coalmine.” It was covered in 1966 by Lee Dorsey. Complete with the sound of a coal pick created by
tapping the mike stand with a drum stick. It was written and produced by Allen “at Cosimo Matassa’s Governor Nicholls Street studio in the French
Quarter of New Orleans.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_in_the_Coal_Mine
Another great song with a story and a funky sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ND17Zf68s&list=RDH7ND17Zf68s&start_radio=1
As an avid Otis Redding fan I have always loved “Pain in my Heart.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR0qfLnbwPI
Once again written under the pseudonym of “Naomi Neville.” I suspect there may have been some legal entanglements over this song.
I have always been partial to the Stone’s version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-MmONv78P0
It’s a very raw Rolling Stone’s sound and it highlights the influences on the British Invasion. Other songs that Allen wrote were “Ride Your Pony”
and “Mother In Law.”
The song that I knew Allen wrote was “Southern Nights” which was a huge hit for Glen Campbell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYTfV5o2ZMY
However, after this article I have come to love Allen’s version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS30VA7h0gE
It’s his favorite song, his favorite child. A story about his childhood in rural Louisiana. He never considered himself as a frontman but I love his singing.
I am delighted by his piano playing. He had a sublime touch which I am sure came from his biggest influence, Professor Longhair who was another
New Orleans piano legend. By all accounts he was a quiet, shy, retiring man. He was not a person who wanted the limelight. I found several
documentaries about him. The one I liked was a 2006 BBC documentary made after Hurricane Katrina had destroyed his house. It’s titled
“The Allen Toussaint Touch.” He had been forced to live in New York city. It’s a deep revealing look at one of the greatest composers of the last century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnAG6duzsd0
I discovered that he’d produced “Lady Marmalade,” the monster hit for female vocal trio Labelle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF2otwl4ros
The artists that he’s worked with reads like musical royalty. From Duke Ellington to Paul McCartney.
My intention was to examine his work with Elvis Costello but that’s for another time.
From the dark, moody space that is the Song Motel, bye for now.
WebChatter
by CyberToad
Here is an article by Reverbnation, one of the platforms that I use for sharing my music.
Metadata is a very important part of putting your music out in the world. If it is incomplete,
you could miss opportunities because people can't find out who you are and how to contact you.
https://blog.reverbnation.com/music-metadata/
I am pleased to announce that Stephen Currence, one of my dear friends and a past member
of ISG has just released his new album.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCWxz6JOHU2kfRr8nxo3bxIA?si=x0SOY7In82YSnngv
He has always been a great singer/songwriter, and I am proud to say that I was the recording
engineer on his first album over 12 years ago using my humble RolandVS880
Digital Studio Workstation . I am having a listening party right now!!
I have created a very rough YouTube video I like to call "Bandlab for the terrified" and I would love
it if you could take a look and give me feedback. This is the start of a playlist I am developing called
"Explora-Torials" https://youtu.be/nrEZPjxHNFo
Also here's my latest Lyric video "Parody King"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KSHweJ7Sz8
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space was 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 Florida East coast. Please call ahead before making any trips.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/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/
Central Florida Folk ( https://cffolk.org/ ) is a massive supporter of Musicians, and have monthly concerts
at the Winter Park Library. The requested donation is $15, or $10 if you are a CFF or Library member.
Here is the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/centralflorida.folk/
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2025 ISG