January 2020
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 25, No. 1
Next meeting Sunday January 5th 2020 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/
A Song Is Born
By Jeff Mason
Petula Clark was already a seasoned performer when she asked Tony Hatch what
he had been working on. Hatch, a composer, arranger and producer, played a melody
on his piano. He had written no lyrics but improvised by slipping in the word “Downtown”
in appropriate places. This was at Clark’s Paris home and she was in the kitchen making
tea when she first heard the song. Hatch had been in New York a few days before and
was looking for material from music publishers for the artists he was producing. He had
been walking around New York when he got the idea for the song “Downtown.” He returned
home with four songs that he had acquired from the New York publishers. He had gone to
Paris to show Clark the four songs. They had a recording session scheduled in two weeks.
Clark was not enthusiastic about the four songs. “She asked me if I was working on anything
new myself.” As soon as she heard him improvising “Downtown” she said, “That’s the one I
want to record.”
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/11/petula-clark-tony-hatch-how-we-made-downtown
They recorded the song in October 1964. Clark said it took three takes. There were forty
musicians, including Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, on the session. Hatch was still writing
lyrics in the bathroom as the session started. Hatch said, “the trick was to make a giant orchestra
sound like a rock band.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_(Petula_Clark_song) It was recorded at Pye studios in London.
The song went to number one in the USA in 1965. It would eventually sell over three million
copies. Other notable artists have covered the song, including Dolly Parton. I like the Saw Doctor’s
version which features Petula Clark singing with the band. There is an excellent video which also
features Ms Clark. Here is the YouTube link to that video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItVEhL-T7qQ
This is the link to the official Petula Clark video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx06XNfDvk0
One of the most enjoyable parts of writing these articles is discovering the incredible stories
behind songs. The story behind “Downtown" spans three cities. The glitz of New York, Time Square,
Broadway and the Brill Building where the idea was hatched (no pun intended.) Paris where Ms Clark
found herself out of step with the Swinging Sixties, that were happening in London. Her need for a
hit song and the impressive fact that she knew exactly what she was she looking for. As Hatch said,
”Without Petula recognizing the strength of the melody, I might never have finished it. It’s my favorite
of all my songs. In 2013, I was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Petula sang Downtown
and presented me with the award – at the Marriott in Times Square, the place that inspired the song.”
Finally London, Marble Arch, Pye studios where the song was finished and Hatch pushed up against
his deadline. Hatch said later in an interview, “It’s noticeable in my later life, I’m much better when
writing to order. Whether it’s a film, or theater piece or stage musical.” Well Tony you were pretty good
back in 1964!
This is a story about a collaboration between two creative forces. Both Petula and Tony had their
“songwriting hats” on when “Downtown” was born.
Next month I will breakdown the elements that made “Downtown” such a big hit.
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 Friday December 27th.
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 January 15th 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,
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/
December 2019 no Critique Contest
We had a wonderful Christmas party, thanks to our lovely hostess, Lindsay Stroh.
New members and guests always welcome!
© 2019 ISG