October 2019
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 24, No. 10
Next meeting Sunday October 6th 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/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
Here's a link to Cliff Goldmacher's blog..
https://www.cliffgoldmacher.com/six-ways-to-improve-your-songwriting-motivation/
Shooting Star
By Jeff Mason
I have been listening to legendary Irish rocker Rory Gallagher. He was an excellent
guitar player, singer, performer and songwriter. Sadly he passed away in 1995 at age 47.
While a legend in his native Ireland he remains largely unknown in the USA. Primarily known
for his superb skill on the electric guitar. A blues rocker who could have replaced Mick
Taylor after he left The Rolling Stones. When Eric Clapton left Power trio Cream, management
suggested Rory as the man to fill Clapton’s shoes. I believe Rory was never interested in fame
or massive wealth, for that matter. He was totally dedicated to his music and, in particular,
his guitar technique. He never married and he left behind no children. There are even thoughts
that he may have been autistic.
https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/3282033/rory-gallagher-biography-claims-rocker-autistic/
Biographer Julian Vignoles in his 2018 book “Rory Gallagher The Man Behind the Guitar” makes
the claim as he talks of Rory as a man “married to his guitar.” While he was a dynamic stage
performer he does appear to have been something of a loner when he left the frenzy of the stage.
He was, also, a very good singer but I am really interested in his songwriting. For this I am
turning to songfacts.com which provides me with some critical facts and a link to several versions
of the song. I’ll start with an up tempo blues number “Calling Card” from the 1976 album of the
same name. Written in 12/8 time, it’s as much jazz as it is blues. Indeed the thought has crossed
my mind that Sinatra or Mel Tormè could have worked with this one. Harry Connick jr. could do worse.
There is some lovely bass work from Gerry MacAvoy and Rory leaves space for some tasty keyboard work
from whomever is playing in one of the many versions previewed here.
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/rory-gallagher/calling-card
I love Rory’s opening guitar licks. It puts me in mind of another hot shot guitarist Albert Collins.
Before I proceed to the next song become aware of the song title. Short, sweet and concise. The next
song is “Laundromat” from his 1971 debut album of the same name. This from a real life experience of
actually living in a laundromat in London around the time of the breakup of his blues trio Taste.
It’s a rocking blues song. Yet I still hear a jazz strain throughout the song. Perhaps it’s Rory’s
vocal phrasing.
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/rory-gallagher/laundromat
Once again we get the short title. This was a very popular song on his European tours. A definite
crowd favorite.
I think Rory loved the road life. I think he wrote songs on the run. On scraps of paper.
I wonder where his writing may have progressed to if his life had been more settled. I have read that
he was an avid reader of detective and espionage novels. His spare titles illustrate that. It’s a genre
I’ve explored.The next song I would like to look at is “Philby” from the 1979 album “Top Priority.”
Kim Philby was an Engish double-agent who defected to Moscow in 1963. The song begins “Now ain’t it
strange that I feel like Philby, there’s a stranger in my soul, I’m lost in transit in a lonesome city,
I can’t come in from the cold.” Songfacts rightly states the reference to coming in from the cold as an
allusion to the John le Carre novel “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.” This is from the Songfacts
critique. “Although he made some fine studio albums, Gallagher was considered at his best live;
unmarried, he toured incessantly, and it may be that at times he felt lost in transit, lonely and a
stranger even to himself.” Musically it’s a straight up rocker with Gallagher weaving an infectious,
gypsy sounding guitar melody throughout the song. This is the most commercial song I’ve heard Rory play.
One of Rory’s guitar idols was Django Reinhardt so I am not surprised to hear the gypsy influence.
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/rory-gallagher/philby
The last song for your listening pleasure is “Shadow Play” from the 1978 album “Photo-Finish.”
The first video link is a live performance which shows us just how hard Rory worked his audience.
Dressed in his customary working class plaid shirt and jeans he bounces from one end of the stage to
the other, even incorporating a Chuck Berry duck walk. I think the sound suffers on his version but the
next links are better. Songfacts points out these lyrics "I feel a little strange inside, A little bit
of Jekyll, a little Mr Hyde”. It seems to be about Rory. This introverted, talented soul who changed
into a dynamic performer when he stepped into the spotlight. A shooting star who burned out too early
and left behind a treasure trove of music.
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/rory-gallagher/shadow-play
If you are looking to fire up your music look no further than Rory Gallagher. 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 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.
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 October 16th 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/
September 2019 no Critiques
New members and guests always welcome!
© 2019 ISG