My View of Life on the Dock
Yesterday we introduced you to gimmesound artists of the week, Frances Fitch & Greg Bover (click here if you missed it — people asked what time is next Tuesday’s concert at Shalin Liu. Answer: 7:30pm).
Today we have a special treat as Frances Fitch show us some Harpsichord music written in the 1650s and then plays it for us. You can hear the entire piece next Tuesday night.
Plenty of music tonight starting at 7pm at six excellent Gloucester venues — all FREE. See the full music lineup here.
It’s how long it took master craftsman Greg Bover to build a harpsichord for his equally talented wife Frances Fitch, who plays it magnificently in this video. Frances & Greg are the gimmesound artists of the week and all week long we’ll have videos featuring Frances, Greg and this extraordinary instrument.
Next Tuesday, May 15, you can see Frances play this masterpiece live at Shalin Liu — and Greg will talk about the process of building it over the past 25 years. Just in case you’re not convinced it’s where you want to be next Tuesday, think about this: Shalin Liu was built specifically for instruments like this. No mics, no amps, just perfect acoustics. This could be your only chance EVER to hear a harpsichord of this quality, played by a master in an acoustically perfect room. Oh, and it’s FREE.
Since yesterday’s post we’ve added several new shows. Cape Ann’s music scene is just exploding. Click here and see what we mean.
Perhaps you saw our post about the Concert Series we’re presenting at North Shore Music Theatre (click here if you missed it) in which we said GMG viewers will be the first to learn who will open for Chris Isaak on June 28. That was almost true. Actually, people who signed up for our newsletter were notified yesterday (you can sign up here, so you’re the first to know about new concerts). But this is the first public announcement, so here goes . . .
Chelsea Berry has agreed to open for Chris Isaak. Chelsea is one of Cape Ann’s top rising stars and she’ll have her full band. If you haven’t heard Chelsea, this would be your best introduction to a major talent. And if you’re already familiar, here’s a rare chance to see Chelsea with a full band in an intimate concert venue with excellent sound. All seats are within 50 feet of the stage and there’s plenty of parking. But there aren’t plenty of tickets (less than 1500) and they’re going fast (click here to get yours). If you want to get yourself into the Chelsea mood, you can see her Mother’s Day show this Saturday at The Landing. Call 978-526-7494 for tickets.
Wow, what a week we’re having (musically that is). 15 different artists appearing between now and Friday (see full music lineup here). And another dozen over the weekend! Time to party!
Doesn’t this quiche look good? You see why I had to take a bite before I got out my phone. It tastes as good as it looks and is one reason why I’m very happy that Atlantis opened their Cafe today!
Peter had the Fish Cakes Benedict.
Wow! Some of the best fish cakes we’ve ever had. Too bad they don’t serve dinner. These would make a super appetizer. Jessica the chef uses a secret ingredient. She wouldn’t let me say what it is, but you could always try to guess. The Atlantis Oceanfront Cafe is now open to the public (you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel) 7 days a week from 7:30-11:00am. I’d recommend going before the season gets crazy busy.
You can work up a good breakfast appetite by dancing tonight and there are plenty of opportunities for that. Peter and I will be at Minglewood to see our friend Brad Byrd with his “A” Band (but we’ll do our best to stay out of the video shoot). Now if you’d prefer to be on camera (see the folks from last time), put on something you want to be photographed in and come on down. Music starts at 9.
But if you’d rather not take the chance on ending up in a video directed by Hollywood’s Brandon Rose, check out the other more anonymous opportunities for dancing in the full music lineup here.
Tomorrow we’ve got a major announcement and a very special Artist of the week (actually 2 in 1). Stay tuned . . .
What were you doing on St. Pat’s Day? If you weren’t at Minglewood, then you weren’t in this video (look for people you know. I’m SURE you’ll be able to find at least one local, who recently wrote the funniest account EVER of a flight to Rome — plus you can see 6 behind the scenes videos here be sure to scroll down).
Don’t despair, you’ve got another chance to be a star TOMORROW night! Brad Byrd is bringing his full band to Minglewood and Hollywood director Brandon Rose is coming back to film. (If you see Brandon, be sure to congratulate him on his distribution offer and 8 award nominations for his latest film, The Key — see trailer here).
Music starts at 9. Go there early, have dinner and get yourself into the next big video made in Gloucester!
But don’t wait for tomorrow night. There’s a legend on Cape Ann tonight: Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul & Mary is at the Shalin Liu — and believe it or not, there are still good seats left (see here)!
And of course, plenty of other great music in Gloucester for free. See full music lineup here.
Remember Morhpine? Not the drug, the band, led by Mark Sandman, who died on stage of a heart attack in Italy in 1999.
Mark’s friends are carrying on and have started a music education project that does excellent work. They’ve also got an excellent band fronted by Jeremy Lyons, who sounds enough like Mark Sandman that if you close your eyes, you just can’t tell the difference. They were gracious enough to headline the first gimmesound GiveBack benefit for the Mark Sandman Music Project at TT’s in Cambridge (check out a very entertaining article about that concert — and Mark Sandman here). See a video of Jeremy and his band below (Jeremy is at the end of the video)
And if bringing Jeremy to Gloucester isn’t enough, T Max, founder and editor of The Noise, has added Gloucester singer/songwriter Deb Hardy to the bill along with himself (and he’s always super entertaining). Here’s what he says about next Saturday:
JEREMY LYONS – American Roots from New Orleans to New England
“You sure can sing dem notes on dat GIT-tar!”
—Dr. John
Jeremy Lyons, versatile performer, slide guitarist, singer and songwriter, plays in and with American music traditions. After his home was washed away by Hurricane Katrina (chronicled in the song “Hurricane”), he moved up North but left a good chunk of his heart in New Orleans. His repertoire is deep enough that he could easily play an entire evening of 1) folk and blues traditional songs; 2) all original material; or 3) driving rock-tinged grooves. Though most often in his solo shows you hear an intriguing mixture of styles that add up to the best of roots music.
You may remember that Peter and I are presenting a concert series at North Shore Music Theatre this summer (see post & videos here) and we’ve got some great VIP packages that offer exclusive access to VIP Pre-Parties, 3 Course Dinner at Backstage Bistro, Meet & Greet, Gifts & more (see VIP details here).
Maybe you want to take your sweetheart (Joey might even recommend that sort of thing in his advice column, who knows?). Now, when you’re a couple, VIP is the best way to go. But maybe you don’t want to spring for VIP Tickets. Here’s your chance to win a luxurious VIP experience for the evening. Just sign up for the gimmeLIVE Concert Club (click here, it’s free) and you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing to win 2 FREE VIP UPGRADES to the concert of your choice. All you need is 2 regular tickets and you and your honey can go as VIPs!
Lot’s happening in Gloucester tonight. Will Hunt is Allen’s guest on the premiere of a new Local Music Seen show tonight at 6:30 on Cape Ann TV Channel 12. Then, you can see Allen Estes in the flesh at the Rhumb Line with one of the area’s best blues men, Bill Gleason (who has also been Allen’s guest on Local Music Seen).
Plus there are 2 open mics, Karaoke and Dennis Monagle featuring Ric St. Germain w/ Ken Steiner on upright bass. blues/rockabilly. See full music lineup here.
No I’m not about to crash. That’s M’Aidez, M’Aidez (French for “Help me”).
It’s May Day, which is a holiday in many foreign countries (including New York City), so I figured we’d think about how to celebrate it here, in Gloucester. Dancing around a May Pole outside today doesn’t seem all that attractive. But dancing indoors? Oh yeah!
You can start by hearing some of Cape Ann’s best musicians at Jalapenos during dinner (in the Video, above, they’re at Berklee) then over to the Dog Bar’s open mic at 9 and end the night dancing to Henley Douglas Jr. at the Rhumb Line. And it’s only Tuesday. Think how much fun we’ll have as the week goes on . . . (See the full music lineup here.)
And mark your calendar NOW so you don’t forget to go to Minglewood on Saturday to hear Brad Byrd’s full band (they’re awesome) and you might just end up in his next music video (see his recently release video here.)
OK, I know this is a blog and we’re supposed to post about what’s happening right now — especially while our fearless leader is on vacation. But I just can’t resist telling people to save next Tuesday, May 15 at 7:30 for something you really don’t want to miss.
I’m going to bet there are people reading this who have never been to Shalin Liu. Here’s your chance. It’s FREE. And I’ll bet there are people reading who’ve never heard a harpsichord played live. You’re in for a treat. Shalin Liu is probably one of the best places on Earth to hear one — and it’s right down the street.
Then there’s the fact that Greg Bover, who lives in Magnolia and works at C.B. Fisk, built the harpsichord that his wife Frances Fitch, one of the area’s most accomplished musicians, will be playing. And the harpsichord is as beautiful to look at is it is to hear. So save the date, come on out and enjoy the talent that’s right in our own back yard.
Now for the immediate. This is a big week on Cape Ann:
See the week’s full music lineup here (updates will be added as we find out about them)
Last month, one of our favorite local artists, Chelsea Berry brought a friend to town: Colorado singer/songwriter Megan Burtt — and now she one of our favorites too. Here are two videos from one of last month’s concerts.
Powerful story of friendship and adventure followed by a song full of wisdom that seems far beyond her years (see more videos from that concert here.)
One of our favorite Chelsea Berry songs that we think she should sing at every gig!
There’s music all day today. It’s going on now at Alchemy and continues into late in the evening at Dog Bar, where Ryan Alto starts at 9. See the full music lineup here.
… while you’re listening to some of the best musicians our country has to offer.
Jazz is known as a one of America’s most enduring musical legacies. And Berklee College of Music is the top Jazz school in the world. But it’s more than that. Every year, Berklee graduates some of the best, Grammy-award winning musicians in all genres, including one of the most popular new genres, Americana. (See lots of Americana music here).
Tonight, you can hear Berklee greats perform Americana, Jazz & Latin music AND your ticket price will help send a Gloucester student to music school (more info here)
Just go to Gloucester Community Arts Charter School at 7:30 and you’ll hear
The Dwells ~ Americana singer/songwriters
And The Berklee Voices — 7 Singers and a 4 piece band singing Jazz & Latin under the direction of Diane Richardson, Associate Professor VOICE.
Tickets $10 and benefit Berklee/Gloucester Jazz & Roots Scholarship Fund (more info here). Keep your ticket and get $5 off the next concert.
Doors open at 6pm and people are welcome to tour the school. Concert seating is at 7:30pm.
Tickets available at LIQUOR LOCKER, at the door or Call Dan at 978-876-1953
Sponsored by the gimmeLIVE Summer Concert Series and BankGloucester
If Jazz, Latin & Americana aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other choices. One of our favorites is Inge Berge, who’s at the Cape Ann Brewery starting at 9 (you can also bop down there after the Berklee show). If you see Inge tonight, be sure to request this song!
There are 9 venues with music tonight on Cape Ann. See full music lineup here.
Our friends The Bandit Kings are embroiled in a BATTLE RADiCAL at the Grog in Newburyport tonight and they need your help. Why? Cause they want to WIN! So muster your courage, cross the bridge and show you’re support. More info here.
Just in case you don’t own a car or simply can’t leave the island, there really is plenty of music in town. You might want to catch the finale of Brad Byrd‘s month-long residency at Giuseppe’s. You can tell him how much you like his new video. Haven’t seen it? Click here (lots of behind the scenes footage at that link too).
And for you jazz fans, there’s Mark Early with Henry Allen at the Elks.
See the full music lineup here.
Friday, April 27 at 7:30pm, two major forces in American Music @ Gloucester Community Arts Charter School Sponsored by the gimmeLIVE Summer Concert Series and BankGloucester
And The Berklee Voices — 7 Singers and a 4 piece band singing Jazz & Latin under the direction of Diane Richardson, Associate Professor VOICE.
Tickets $10 and benefit Berklee Jazz & Roots Scholarship Fund (more info here). Keep your ticket and get $5 off the next concert.
Doors open at 6pm and people are welcome to tour the school. Concert seating is at 7:30pm.
Yesterday former gimmesound Artist of the Week Brad Byrd released his new video on GMG (see here) directed by another former gimmesound Artist of the Week Brandon Rose. Excellent job, Brandon, Brad, Brie and everyone who made this happen!
Part of this video was shot at Minglewood Tavern on St. Pat’s day, so we thought we’d piece together some of the behind-the-scenes footage of the making of that video for you to see today. You’ll see actresses Brie Hobbs trying out for the part of Brad’s girl-friend at the casting call and Stacey Iwanicki, who played one of the fans. And of course you’ll see our boy Joey C, who was there for the entire shoot. In the final video, there’s a good shot of Joey in the audience. Welcome to the big time, Joey!
Brad will be shooting another video at Minglewood next Saturday, May 5, so you’ve got another chance to be in the audience and get on screen! Stay tuned to GMG for details.
You know summer is on the way when there are 8 venues with music on a Wednesday night in Gloucester alone! See the full music lineup here.
If you have not caught this duo, it is a must, they are playing at Seaport Grill on Wednesday from 6:30-9:30. Stop by Seaport Grille for a tasty drink- great music-great atmosphere– Oh and don’t forget — It’s Clam Roll Day!
You heard it here first, folks: Peter and I are presenting a concert series at North Shore Music Theatre this summer featuring top Gloucester talent on stage with National Recording stars.
We kick it off with Chris Isaak on June 28 (watch GMG for our announcement of which Gloucester singer/songwriter will open for him).
Aaron Neville Quintet, featuring his brother Charles on June 30. Our good friend and former gimmesound Artist of the Week, Henri Smith and his excellent band New Orleans Friends & Flavours opens for Aaron.
Then one of Gloucester’s living legends Fly Amero joins his band Orleans on August 31 with special guests John Cafferty & Michael “Tunes” Antunes of the Beaver Brown band and the cult movie classic Eddie and The Cruisers.
Just as we did for Celebrate Gloucester, gimmeLIVE is offering spectacular VIP packages (at much less than you can get from VIP Nation) for all concerts that include premium seating, a 3 course dinner, meet & greet with the artists, pre-show parties, free parking, gifts and more. Check them out here.
Feels like Summer. The Music Schedule looks like it too. We’re up to 9 venues on Cape Ann with music tonight. Check out the full music lineup here.
That’s right, folks. In this video gimmesound Artist of the week, Orville Giddings gives us a hint about some new material we’ll hear at Castle Hill later this summer. And he explains why he no longer plays in a trio, but prefers either solo acoustic or his big band.
Beautiful day, gorgeous night and lots to do starting at 7. See tonight’s complete music lineup here.
Levon Helm, drummer and singer for The Band died today in NYC (see NYTimes story here). You can count on one hand great drummers who are also great singers. These two videos give you an idea of why he’s one of our favorites. Nothing more to say. Just watch.
Peter shot this video on Patriot’s Day of gimmesound Artist of the week, Orville Giddings singing one of his most popular songs, Poor Boy, at In a Pig’s Eye in Salem. Notice how the crowd gets quieter as Orville captivates them. You can see Orville at the Rhumb Line tonight with Dave Sag’s Blues party at 9pm.
But before that, check out our good friend Brad Byrd at Giuseppe’s at 8pm.
And there’s plenty more to choose from. See tonight’s complete music lineup here.
In this video gimmesound Artist of the week, Orville Giddings talks about his excellent band (sorry about the wind noise). You can see them next Saturday at Stone Soup in Ipswich. And you can see Orville with tomorrow at the Rhumb Line with Dave Sag.
It’s Wednesday, which means a new show on Local Music Seen with Allen Estes. Bradley Royds is Allen’s guest tonight on Cape Ann TV Channel 12. The show premieres at 6:30.
After the show, there’s plenty to do in town tonight. Check out the full music lineup here.
Good Morning Gloucester 