February 2020
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 25, No. 2
Next meeting Sunday February 2nd 2020 at 5pm (For those not attending Superbowl)
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). IMPORTANT NOTE! The main entrance/parking is at the back of the building.
We had a great turnout of 12 people at the January meeting of the ISG.
We welcomed Richard as a guest, and Bill Sloan as a new member, and also James Allen,
returning member, all of whom brought wonderful songs for us to critique.
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/
Analyzing Songs
By Jeff Mason
It is an important skill to be able to break down the elements of a song. We do it at our song
critiques. Some of us are better than others at separating the various components that make up a
song. It is a post analysis and like anything else we get better with practice.
The British guitarist Fil has an excellent YouTube page where he takes in depth looks at songs
and artists. He juxtaposes a video of himself with the video of the song that he is commenting on.
It is fun to watch him as he watches the performance. There is an infectious grin on his face! The
name of Fil’s page is Wings of Pegasus. Do take the time to subscribe to his page, you won’t be
disappointed.
Last month we talked about the evolution of the 1965 hit song “Downtown” sung by Petula Clark
and written by Tony Hatch. In his analysis of a live 1967 performance of the song, Fil refers to it as
classic musical theater. This is because of the way Tony Hatch has composed it. He is a master at
writing for musical theater. The performance ebbs and flows and Fil explains the building blocks used
so skillfully in this arrangement. This version of the song at two and a half minutes is shorter than the
original which clocked in at just over three minutes. Allow me to digress for a moment. It’s not a great
amount of time to tell a story and illustrates the challenge that we songwriters are faced with. Fil points
out the similarities between Petula’s voice and Julie Andrews voice. There’s a good reason for this.
They toured together as child performers.They entertained the British troops during World War Two.
They have both played the role of Maria Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” Their voices are similar
tonally. This is because they have great vocal technique. It is because of her control of air flow that
Petula is always on pitch. During the pre chorus the vocals match the back ground music. This is often
heard in musical theater and these songs are demanding when performing night after night. It is easy
to over strain the voice. Petula’s superb vocal technique allows her to remain on pitch at all times. As
an aside, I pulled up the chords and words to the song and soon discovered my own vocal limitations!
Petula keeps a “conversational quality” to her voice which is so important in connecting with an
audience. Yet at the same time she is right on pitch. The orchestra is always going to be on pitch so if
the vocalist is anyway off pitch it’s going to stand out.
“Through out the song there are sections that chop and change. This is not a standard verse/chorus
pop song.” Fil points out Petula’s vibrato on the last note of the song which she holds. “The orchestra
builds and builds towards a crescendo.” Remember this when you are writing songs for we need to
understand this climb. Once again we have to refer to composer Tony Hatch’s mastery of writing theatrical
pieces. That build up to the crescendo is what gives the song it’s “emotional punch.”
Fil also takes the time to give us a short lesson in composition. I am going to avoid getting into the
details here as I don’t feel competent enough to express myself. I urge you to view Fil’s video and replay it.
Fil even voices his own doubts about wading too deep into the murky waters of music theory. I think he
does well and I’ll leave this part to you the reader and you the listener to view the video.
What I will say is the song jumps a whole octave from the beginning to the end. There is a key change
at 1.43 seconds. The high note is always on “downtown” which is the song title and therefore emphasizes
the song’s main hook. It’s a musical journey and the vocal “melody is like a staircase.” Fil concludes by saying
“fantastic writing, great arrangements and a top talent” in Petula to sing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlOlX0jmXyI
In a 2016 Guardian interview Petula said, “I’ve recorded it several times: the last time we slowed it right
down and I sang it much more poignantly.
People generally think of it as a jolly song, but it isn’t. When I sing it, I picture this person who’s alone in their
room, lonely, feeling a bit worthless, close to a depression – then getting up and going out on the street to be
among other people who are perhaps feeling the same way. I have had those moments myself.”
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/11/petula-clark-tony-hatch-how-we-made-downtown
Here’s a link to a slower version. And the YouTube stream will take you to another version. The 50th Anniversary
version has a new mix from the original tracks and a re-tweaked video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ybtw_1_Is
In the same Guardian article Hatch says, ”When we recorded it, I knew it was special. For the first time,
I wasn’t copying Burt Bacharach.”
I don’t know how to describe this song. It’s pop but it’s not a standard pop song. It’s musical theater but it’s
rhythm and blues and soul. Certainly the lyrics mention “bossa nova” which was a craze at the time and am I
hearing a bossa nova swing? Listen to the sax solo towards the end of the original version. So there’s some
biting jazz in there, too. The beginning piano riff is where the song was born!
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
On Saturday Feb 1st Jane Gang Unleashed will be performing with many other artists at
Fodor's Grove for a Florida Music Food Initiative (FMFI) benefit for 2nd Harvest Food
Bank. For admission, please bring non-perishable food items to donate. Pot luck starts
at 1pm and music goes from 2 till 7pm. Details are at the Facebook event page.
https://www.facebook.com/events/844820242609892/ also for Fodor's grove
upcoming schedule with a flyer showing the FMFI performers please check out
https://sites.google.com/site/fodorsgrove/
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 Wednesday January 29th.
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 3rd Wednesdays 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 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/
January 2020 no Critique Contest.
New members and guests always welcome!
© 2020 ISG