July 2019
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 24, No. 7
Next meeting Sunday July 7th 2019 at 5pm
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, networking and
introductions. 5:30 to 6:00, presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled),
or a short workshop/exercise. 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/
Thanks to Kris Nichols who came to give us some info and answers on copyright law.
He teaches on this and publishing at Full Sail University, and is also a performing
songwriter.
WebChatter
by CyberToad
Here is some important advice from Cliff Goldmacher about how to handle critiques from a professional.
https://www.cliffgoldmacher.com/six-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-songwriting-consultations/
Also, Ari Herstand has done a blog that takes you through step-by-step to registering multiple copyrights,
Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Last meeting we spoke of the DMCA and here is a useful link
if your songs have had their copyright violated. https://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/dmca/
Also, here is a blog that Ron Collins has submitted a link to about copyright.
http://routenote.com/blog/protect-your-music-a-guide-for-artists-on-copyright/
Looking For Joni #2
By Jeff Mason
As I promised last month here is the next installment of my quest to understand the art of Joni Mitchell. I, especially,
wanted to understand her approach to songwriting. As with my previous examination of Kinks frontman Ray Davies, I have
discovered a well that I can return to over and over again. I am delving into a fifty year old back catalog.
The 1994 album “Turbulent Indigo” won a Grammy Award for Pop Album of the Year. It’s a little over halfway through
her career but it’s really my favorite at this time of writing. What I like about this album are the songs. There’s no surprise
about that. Joni has been a consistently great songwriter. The big surprise about this album was her voice. All the years of
chainsmoking had lowered her voice. There’s a raw huskiness in her tone. She sounds nothing like the soaring, self described
“pseudo-soprano” that rose to fame in the late 1960’s. Her voice is significantly lower and she can’t hit those soaring high notes.
We can attribute this to a heavy smoking habit and a variety of illnesses, including post polio syndrome and Morgellons syndrome.
I like her voice on this album. Like another great jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan she knew how to use and work her voice. The first
song to knock me out is “ The Magdalene Laundries.” Based on a true story that Joni saw in a newspaper while standing in a
checkout lane. I was hooked by the first verse:
“I was an unmarried girl
I'd just turned twenty-seven
When they sent me to the sisters
For the way men looked at me
Branded as a Jezebel
I knew I was not bound for Heaven
I'd be cast in shame
Into the Magdalene laundries”
“And the standout verse: (for me at least.)
“These bloodless brides of Jesus
If they had just once glimpsed their groom
Then they'd know, and they'd drop the stones
Concealed behind their rosaries
They wilt the grass they walk upon
They leech the light out of a room
They'd like to drive us down the drain
At the Magdalene laundries”
The album picture features a self portrait. In a tribute pose to Vincent van Gogh. The title song “Turbulent Indigo” is also a nod to
the great painter. As she takes a shot at the hypocrisy of the art business with the following verse:
“Brash fields, crude crows
In a scary sky
In a golden frame
Roped off
Tourists guided by
Tourists talking about the madhouse
Talking about the ear
The madman hangs in fancy homes
They wouldn't let him near!
He'd piss in their fireplace!
He'd drag them through Turbulent Indigo”
I have not mentioned the skillful arrangements. Joni who self produces her albums, always, has the best musicians in her band.
They are the créme de la créme, always, in Joni’s bands. Another standout song is “Sex Kills.” The killer verse and chorus is
more relevant now than when it was written:
I pulled up behind a Cadillac
We were waiting for the light
And I took a look at his license plate
It said, "Just Ice"
Is justice just ice?
Governed by greed and lust?
Just the strong doing what they can
And the weak suffering what they must?
Oh, and the gas leaks
And the oil spills
And sex sells everything
Sex kills
These are lyrics we dream of writing. I leave you with another favorite “Borderline.” This song has burrowed it’s way into my brain
like an ear worm. I leave you with this lyric:
“Every bristling shaft of pride
Church or nation
Team or tribe
Every notion we subscribe to
Is just a borderline
Good or bad, we think we know
As if thinking makes things so
All convictions grow along a borderline”
This song describes our current social climate. Joni is a thoughtful prophet. More next month on this talented artist.
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
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 Wednesday July 17th 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. The event usually takes place on 3rd Wednesdays, but sometimes
2nd Wednesdays. 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 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/
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 2019 Critique Results
1. Crash and Burn - Melanie Fisher 16.50
2. Trading Faces - Stephanie Barker 14.88
3. Three Times - Jim Allen 12.63
New members and guests always welcome!
© 2019 ISG