Mar 06
www.mandyleigh.com/sellaband/
Apr 21
When two artists work together on creating a song (one does the acoustic guitar and the other does the vocal melody and lyrics), and they then split up, what happens to the song?
If the guitarist states that he will take his music and get someone else to create new vocal melody’s and lyrics, isn’t it fair for the singer/songwriter to take her vocal melody’s and lyrics and create new music? Otherwise that music and melody and lyrics would be lost forever. What a waste.
If a guitarist was asked by the singer/songwriter to be professional and allow their guitar parts to be used on the album, and they refuse to have anything to do with it, should the singer/songwriter just throw her melodies and lyrics in the bin, or ask the professionals to create new music for her melodies and lyrics?
When the singer/songwriter releases an album and the guitarist sees that the singer/songwriter used her melody and lyrics to different music (even changing some of the vocal melody) and arrangement, is it fair for him to threaten the singer/songwriter because his name is not on the credits for the music he refused to be a part of or contribute to (which cost money as the new musicians had to create new music).
If the guitarist had agreed to be a part of the original composition being used for the album, then the song may (or may not) have sounded much better on the album. It certainly would have been alot quicker, easier, and less stressful if the guitarist had supplied the notation, strange tunings and chords etc to the song on the album.
This is the background behind a recent forum thread on Sellaband, where the guitarist in question, after he is getting no joy anywhere else it seems, takes his threats to the forum and slanders the singer/songwriter (Mandyleigh) in front of everyone.
The thread was deleted by SAB as it was against their code of conduct (personal attack) and wasn’t tolerated. Here (6mb pdf. Right-Mouse-Button and “save target as” to download it) is the thread in .pdf form for you to make your own mind up. Interestingly the OP never posted again. We feel that because the thread was deleted and the guitarist is (in our opinion) spreading alot of mis-information around (or at least not the full story), that Mandyleigh’s name is being sullied and she hasn’t had a chance to respond properly.
Mandyleigh is quite sick at the moment (definitely a cracked rib from all the coughing, and less than a week until her baby is due), so I (Gary) am typing this. We may or may not be able to tell more of the interesting history we have with the guitarist as obviously our priorities lie elsewhere at the moment, but here’s a little bit of advice for anyone considering collaborating with others:
- get a written agreement drawn up and signed which states that if the parties go their different ways, then either the elements (music, melody, lyrics) they brought to the table go with them if they wish (as is applicable in Australian, US and UK law without a contract), or the song is recorded with the elements from both parties. Basically, if you don’t want to contribute your elements to the song, then you are both free to use your own elements of the song in any way you see fit, and don’t cry about it afterwards when the song is on an album and your elements weren’t used (by request).
Apr 21
Well, in a word, rubbish. But thank-you for the people that have been asking me. 
Gary insisting on taking me to the Doctors this morning as I am not getting any better. The rib area appears to be cracked, it is extremely painful when I have my coughing fits. Gary runs to cradle my back and side to try and help support me as I cough violently. When its over I am in alot of pain and settled down with the two hot water bottles again.
Gary actually felt the “crunch/crack” in my ribs on Saturday night. I think it worried him seeing as though he actually felt something that obviously shouldn`t be there.
Damaris is definately coughing less. Thank-goodness. Zyah is still coughing, not as much but the sleep situation over night is still very disturbed with Gary running out of bed to make sure they are alright when they cough and try to catch their breaths.
Last night was my 4th night of sleeping on the recliner chair. Not a great place to sleep but the only one that I can bare at the moment. Hopefully I can sleep in a real bed again soon.
I am due on the 27th. I believe I will be a little earlier than this date though. What has really upset me is the fact that this time I may not be able to have a “natural” birth (like I had with the girls with no pain-killers etc, just gas/air and reiki healing from my Mum who is also in whilst I give birth with Gary). Due to the rib situation it is quite likely now that I may have to have a “C” section. This is very upsetting to me.
For anyone interested in what has happened and been happening with the copyright of “Deep Sea Green” please get in touch with me. I have absolutely nothing to hide and my conscience is clear, as always.
My energies are totally on having our girls healthy/well, for me to get better and to have a safe birth, a healthy baby and focus on a great future to come with my family and music.
