You’ve heard Frances Fitch play her new harpsichord (see here or here if you missed either of those videos). In this video, her husband and gimmesound co-artist of the week, Greg Bover, takes us under the hood (literally — he takes off the jackrail to reveal plectra and then shows us how they pluck the strings).
You won’t see the plectra Next Tuesday, May 15, but you should go to Shalin Liu at 7:30pm anyhow to hear his masterpiece played in one of the most perfect acoustic settings on Earth — and it’s right down the street — and it’s FREE.
Inge Berge is back at Giuseppe’s tonight for his 2nd of 5 Thursdays. If you go, request his gorgeous new song and ask him if it’s the sequel to this song.
Let’s not take Gloucester’s tremendous talent base for granted. Get out and support them. It’s fun! See the full music lineup here.
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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.
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.
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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!
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Hola everyone! This week’s line-up: J.B. Amero, Dan King, Wolf Ginandes & David Brown The music, as always, promises be as hot as the Tamales… and as cool as the Margaritas!
Special Notice: ARRIVE EARLY FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL
FRANCO-MEXICAN MUSTARD DRINK-OFF Tuesday,
May 8… 7 to 9pm
Jalapenos
86 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930-5710
978-283-8228
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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 . . .
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Well, we’ve got repeat offenders this Thursday at the Rhumba Line, so let’s welcome back that notorious nabob of the saxophone: Mr. Marque Earley. He’s been busy scrounging $50 gigs everywhere, so I’m more than happy to help him out. This cat is so fear-inspiring that everybody but me is afraid of him and his metamucilical stylings. So, I’m bringing in the heavy guns in the form of Mr. Pall Foss, old college chum and recipient of the Bob Mobilio Award for excellence in the field of musical theory. He’s driving down from Bangor, Maine. I hope he can find the place. If he mows down a deer on the way down, we won’t go hungry. We’re gonna play the new stuff. Paul’s a quick-draw pianist and polka wizard, known far and wide for his ability to laugh at anything, anywhere, anytime. You need this.
Following the proceeding will be one of my favorite drumbalists: Mr. Forrest “Gump” Padgett, king of the wild frontier. Solid as a rock, and twice as heavy. Of course, Mr. Greg T. and myself complete the roundup. Come early for free polka lessons. Kielbasa tasting party starts at 9 P.M. Who loves ya, baby!
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.
DEB HARDY
Deb Hardy is a singer songwriter from Gloucester whose songs reflect the drama, beauty and serenity of this ocean harbor community. Her style of singing and guitar playing is rhythmic, expressive and powerful, with influences of Kate Bush, Yes, and Led Zeppelin.
In 2005 Hardy released the full length CD, Done By Water, which includes recordings of the Transmissions, the Deb Hardy Band, as well as her live solo performances from Club Passim. Deb has recently been recording with John Hicks.
T MAX
T Max recently released his third solo CD, Shake, an environmental tale with a score written, produced, and played completely by T Max. He is also known for founding Boston Rock Opera, doing one-man performances of Why Do We Go to War? and producing Boston Rock ‘n’ Roll Trading Cards. His publication, the Noise, is the longest running music magazine in New England.
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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).
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.)
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Prime Rib Specials!
Wednesdays Only! Hello everyone! Wednesday, May 2nd ATTENTION: This week’s Dinner
Show host will be: ALLEN ESTES!
w/Special Guest: BILL GLEASON! Dinner with Fly Amero: 8 – 11pm *Each week features a special, invited musical guest Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Prime Rib Dinner –$10.95 (while they last)
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good! Upcoming: ORVILLE GIDDINGS JOHN ROCKWELL TONI ANN …and many more Looking forward… …to seeing you there! 🙂 ~ Fly
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Johnny Rockwell & The Human Jukebox will be playing the Rhumbline from 7-10 pm. Featuring singer/leader John Rockwell, drummer Gordon Baird and guitarist Dave “Dwayne” Koen, this Beatlesque quartet will soothe what ails you as it propels you to the dance floor to sing out and careen to the classics still playing in your head. The early hour is tailor-made to listeners who lived these songs in the 60’s but relive them in the themes of their lives. Excellent chow and a great party atmosphere round out a fun, inexpensive rockin’ evening at the Rhumbline to really kick off Spring.
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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:
Inge Berge starts his month-long residency at Giuseppe’s on Thursday
Brad Byrd brings his band to Minglewood for another video shoot on Saturday — and you can be in the video if you’re there.
Allen Estes is guest host at Rhumb Line Wednesday night while Fly is touring.
Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents are at the Rhumb Line on Friday
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.
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.
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Good Morning Gloucester 