July 2018
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 23, No. 7
Next Meeting Sunday July 1st 5:00pm.
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every
month at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson St.,
Orlando, FL 32803 (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive
Airport)
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to
join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our
group and what we do. If you wish to join, there is an annual fee of only $5. For
more information, visit our website at www.tinyurl.com/isgsongs
The meetings will be structured as follows: 5:00 to 5:30, business and
introductions. 5:30 to 6:00, presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled), 5:30
or 6:00 to 8:00, song critiques. Please bring a CD or I-phone or mp3 player or
perform your song live, and bring 10 or more lyric sheets. If we have at least 5
songs by members who wish to be scored, and 6 members scoring, then we will have
them entered in the Monthly competition. Everyone is encouraged to write
constructive comments on the lyric sheets.
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/
Web Chatter
by Cybertoad
Here's the latest info from Ari's Take comparing Web Site providers.
He has done extensive research, and has also created a chart.
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Also, if you have a song streaming service like SoundCloud, you may want to look into some
other alternatives http://hiphopspeakeasy.com/2017/02/alternatives-soundcloud-ultimate-guide/
Summertime
By Jeff Mason
The last time I wrote about summer songs was in June 2012. As I scrolled through my list of past articles, I realized that I have been writing them for eight years.
So it’s not a surprise that I find myself rehashing an old idea. I have learned that weather themed songs are always a useful area to explore. The last article was titled “Summertime Blues” and pays tribute to the great, rockabilly hit of 1958. Written and recorded by Eddie Cochran, it has been covered by The Who, Blue Cheer and Brian Setzer. This timeless song about teenage angst was a number one hit for Alan Jackson.
If I am going to write a song about summer, I think I need a good story. I want to write a song that makes the weather a character. Some of the best television series and movies manage to make that happen. The 1948 crime drama, “Key Largo” is a good example. The tense plot is supplemented by the approaching hurricane. I watched a crime series called “The Killing” in which the Seattle rain added to the tension.
The 1966 hit “Summer In The City” by John Sebastian and The Lovin’ Spoonful makes the hot, urban landscape seem real. You can almost feel the melting concrete beneath your feet.”All around, people looking half dead, Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head.” During the instrumental break, the sounds of a car horn and a jack hammer add to the stark reality of the story. The staccato like drums and the organ sound are complementary features.
Another song that paints a picture is “Under The Boardwalk.” Written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick and recorded by The Drifters. It’s a perennial crowd pleaser. It makes me think of Daytona Beach in August. The minor key chorus always wakes up the sleepiest audience. “And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fireproof, Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah.”
As I plan and plot my summer song, I am gathering words and seeking interesting word combinations. I am trying out rhymes and rhyme schemes. If I think of my song as a house that I am building, these words will become the furniture for the rooms. Perhaps my house will have three rooms and these will become my three verses. There is a connecting hallway which becomes my chorus. There may be a foyer which becomes my bridge. I am constructing a song.
I am thinking about tempo. Will my song be slow? What about the title of this article? “Summertime” is slow and moody. It was composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the opera “Porgy and Bess.” The words are by DuBose Heyward. “Summertime and the livin’ is easy, Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high.” It’s been covered by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. In this version the string arrangement is languid. The arrangement paces like a clock ticking. Opening with Louis’s trumpet solo and matched by the honey like tones of Ella’s voice. Later Louis sings a verse and I realize he was a great vocalist. Ella was famous as a scat singer but it’s Louis scatting underneath Ella’s closing verse. The atmosphere says time is passing slowly and it’s hot. Janis Joplin recorded a memorable version of this song in 1968. Fifty years later, her version stands the test of time.
I could go for a boyant, uptempo song. I am thinking of the joyful “Summer Holiday” recorded by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. A number one song in the UK and not so well known in the USA. It’s about the sheer joy of going on vacation. Remember that in the UK before The Beatles there was our own version of “Elvis” and that would be Cliff Richard!
Another jaunty piece which still stands the test of time is “In the Summertime.” Recorded by the jug band Mungo Jerry in 1970 and written by singer Ray Dorset it has become one of the “ best selling singles of all time.” (Wikipedia).”Have a drink, have a drive, Go out and see what you can find.” Later used in a UK campaign against drunk driving.
I think the time may be right for a new summer song. All of the songs mentioned here are old.
I have to credit Jim Webb, who’s book “Tunesmith” talked about the idea of a song being a house and the words being the furniture. See you next month.
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 announced here? Members in good standing
call SusieCool with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153
Jane Gang Unleashed has a couple of shows lined up in June:
Asli and SusieCool will be playing at the Osteen Diner 195 State Rte 415, Osteen, FL.
Saturday June 23rd, some time between 6 and 8:30pm. There will be other artists playing
this benefit to support Florida Music Food Initiative (FMFI). For details on Event page see:
https://www.facebook.com/events/450713505400138/
Jane Gang Unleashed will be opening for Del Suggs at the Winter Park Public Library
in the Community room 460 E. New England Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789
Sunday June 24th at 2pm. Here is the link to the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1747729205294747/
Jane Gang Unleashed will also be playing at Roque Pub on Tuesday June the 26th.
3076 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, Florida 32806. The event starts at 7pm, and they
should be playing at 8pm. Here is the Facebook event page for that.
https://www.facebook.com/events/147710562734718/
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
If you want to join us at the Central Florida Folk song circle, please show up at
Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux at 3022 Corrine Drive on the last Wednesday of each month
from 6 to 8:30/9pm. The BBB has many delicious items on their menu, and also some vegetarian stuff.
They also serve beer and wine. They have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Central-Florida-Folk-Song-Circle-139385302761066/
On July 18th we have a playing circle with the Fingerstyle Guitar Group
in the Community room of the winter Park Library.460 E. New England Ave. Winter Park,
FL 32789. 6 to 8:30pm. Songwriters are welcome, but we do try to play our fingerstyle
songs and not use picks. There is more info on the facebook group page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/228147620559285/?fref=nf
SusieCool is the organizer of a Meetup.com group called
"Orlando Creative Music Network"
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want info.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be
listed in the ISG members page.
https://sites.google.com/site/isgsusiecool/home/links-and-recommended-reading/member-websites
June 2018 Critique Results
1 Well Past The Brink by Stephanie Barker 16.25
2 I Believe In Destiny by Susan Foster Trewick, Aylin Asli Goncer, Ken Mood 15.57
3 Let’s Brain Storm by Lindsay Stroh 13.38
New members always welcome!
© 2018 ISG